Bargain British Barge- Jaguar XJ
Discussion
I painted the front bumper, before fitting the wing. It matches the rest fine. Had the dent on the other wing pulled out. Changed the grille for a Sport one and fitted my old plate. Colour match between the door aside, it is starting to actually look presentable!
Allignment needs work here...
Resting after a essential fast run out
New bolts in engine bay
Allignment needs work here...
Resting after a essential fast run out
New bolts in engine bay
Cheers!
I caved into temptation and have bought some new wheels, as the poverty stock 17"s do the looks no favours...
However, not so long ago, I would have gone for 19/20" for style over comfort, but I love the ride comfort of the 17"s...
I have compromised and gone for 18" wheels off a XF/XK which seem to fill the arches well for 18"s.
This is what they look like on a X350:
Anybody want a set of 17"s cheap
I caved into temptation and have bought some new wheels, as the poverty stock 17"s do the looks no favours...
However, not so long ago, I would have gone for 19/20" for style over comfort, but I love the ride comfort of the 17"s...
I have compromised and gone for 18" wheels off a XF/XK which seem to fill the arches well for 18"s.
This is what they look like on a X350:
Anybody want a set of 17"s cheap
I collected the 18" Venus wheels this morning, after a morning work shift. They were off a XF, which the nice owner had upgraded to 20"s. £220 for the set with reasonable tyres.
The suspension had slammed itself as you would expect when the car goes into jacking mode. When I started it it said 'Vehicle too low', a few minutes of worry later, it was back to correct height
Some economy tests of the 3.0 while wafting, as arrived:
Full 225 mile trip average
How the wheels look on the car, note the new LED sidelights
The ride is crashier than I hoped for though... Feels like it is in firm mode, even though no fault codes. The XF 45 profile instead of 50 ins't helping either! Going to drop the pressures slightly...
But on the whole a improvement in looks especially
The suspension had slammed itself as you would expect when the car goes into jacking mode. When I started it it said 'Vehicle too low', a few minutes of worry later, it was back to correct height
Some economy tests of the 3.0 while wafting, as arrived:
Full 225 mile trip average
How the wheels look on the car, note the new LED sidelights
The ride is crashier than I hoped for though... Feels like it is in firm mode, even though no fault codes. The XF 45 profile instead of 50 ins't helping either! Going to drop the pressures slightly...
But on the whole a improvement in looks especially
My new Venus wheels were in suprisingly good condition- no real corrosion. However, all four had deep kerb marks. Rather than spend £200 on a professional powder coat, I decided to DIY it. Yes a powder coat would be the best way, but I don't like spending money lol.
Kerb marks were sanding as best I could, but they were deep into the alloy itself, so they were filled in. I sprayed them with wheel silver and 2k clear on top. I spend a while cleaning the inner barrels and masked them off, as I don't like overspray on the inside.
I also painted the calipers, gave the disc hubs a coat of paint and blew over the disc shields. The calipers wern't bad for nearly 18 years old:
After:
This bushing is shot...
Wheels fitted with my homemade wheel centers. Locking nuts painted.
This photo flatters the car a bit, the bodywork is needs more work.
Kerb marks were sanding as best I could, but they were deep into the alloy itself, so they were filled in. I sprayed them with wheel silver and 2k clear on top. I spend a while cleaning the inner barrels and masked them off, as I don't like overspray on the inside.
I also painted the calipers, gave the disc hubs a coat of paint and blew over the disc shields. The calipers wern't bad for nearly 18 years old:
After:
This bushing is shot...
Wheels fitted with my homemade wheel centers. Locking nuts painted.
This photo flatters the car a bit, the bodywork is needs more work.
Lovely work, looks very smart now.
The pictures of the wing make it look like it's the door that's a slightly different shade, the match to the bonnet looks really good.
Do you have access to a spray booth or is it an at home job? If the latter than it's a better finish than I've ever achieved
The pictures of the wing make it look like it's the door that's a slightly different shade, the match to the bonnet looks really good.
Do you have access to a spray booth or is it an at home job? If the latter than it's a better finish than I've ever achieved
alec.e said:
My new Venus wheels were in suprisingly good condition- no real corrosion. However, all four had deep kerb marks. Rather than spend £200 on a professional powder coat, I decided to DIY it. Yes a powder coat would be the best way, but I don't like spending money lol.
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Those wheels look great. You say you used silver paint, with 2 pack lacquer. Was this rattle can paint and lacquer? And if so, was the 2 pack the stuff that you have to break a seal on the can and then shake to mix?]
How many coats of paint and lacquer were applied and how are the wheels looking now after some use?
I'm asking because I've done my own wheel refurbs before and whilst they look good initially, they soon start to show signs of chipping (not kerbing) from normal use. Also, I've struggled to get a good, deep, lustrous lacquer finish.
Nice looking Jaguar BTW
I owned a late model X308 XJR way back. Lovely thing.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff