CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[CitroJim]

Or stay in the hotel california

Been staying there for years now Davie Been trying unsuccessfully to leave for ever but I do occasionally manage to check-out

I'm hoping to meet a Witchy Woman soon too...

Might pop up and say hello depending on what days you're about this week Jim... Wouldn't mind a look at your Skoda too!

You'd be more than welcome Mike and it would be good to see you Any afternoon after about 2 should be good...

[CitroJim]

Enjoyed a lovely long bike ride in the sunshine today - it was cold but not cold enough to defeat that wondrous fabric made from merino wool and the greatest bit of clothing ever invented - a merino wool neck warmer

Using the last of the sunshine this afternoon I tried some potions on Skoda's spotty paintwork. Straight polish did not do the worst of it very well but this stuff did an almost passable job...

Own Work

I've had this bottle for years and it dates back to my 205GTi days... Wonder if it's still available? The contents are bright red!

I'm pretty allergic to the stuff and I'm suffering now but I did manage to do almost one complete side of the car and it's looking a million times better already

I also found - again from my 205GTi days - a bottle of black trim restorer. That works well on Skoda's bumpers too

Skoda badly needs a name... Any suggestions? EPY in her number reminds me of Episkopi in Cyprus where I was once posted but I cannot relate that to any suitable names... Are there any good Czech girl's names beginning with an S I wonder?

[Stickyfinger]

Spki the Skoda

I hate that TCut stuff, it stains my polishing pads and my fingers !

[CitroJim]

Spki the Skoda

Can't even pronounce that Alasdair Spotty would be more appropriate at the moment...

I hate that TCut stuff, it stains my polishing pads and my fingers !

Yes, doesn't it just I must keep well clear of bulls for a while - I have lots of red rags now!

[Zelandeth]

Best stuff I've found for shifting that oxide layer on that is the so called "paint renovator" from Autoglym (the one with the pink label). It's a pretty simple medium cutting paste I reckon.

Think I've got several bottles so you're welcome to one of them.

Still means you need to wax it afterwards of course!

[CitroJim]

Thanks Zel

Still means you need to wax it afterwards of course!

Very happy to do that, the resulting deep shine is very rewarding

[daviemck2006]

I find that stuff works well on bright red and on black cars, and yes, the black version lol. But it does fade back again within a few weeks. I’ve never found it great on any other colours.

[myglaren]

Sabina

[Michel]

My first car..

[Zelandeth]

They always looked odd to me without the decor strip below the tail lights...

[Michel]

They always looked odd to me without the decor strip below the tail lights...

Mine looked even odder as it had rolled arse-first off a 5ft wall into a river. This is why it was slightly bent at the back end, had a missing bumper and how I learnt how to take the back end apart to replace the engine support crossmember

The old man who had it before me left the handbrake off on his drive. He lived near the river..

[Zelandeth]

Says a lot about how tough they actually are though! Having hit a lorry at 55ish in one I can also vouch for that.

Still didn't half hurt a couple of days later mind you.

[CitroJim]

Sabina

Makes her sound like an airline Steve

Mine looked even odder as it had rolled arse-first off a 5ft wall into a river. This is why it was slightly bent at the back end, had a missing bumper and how I learnt how to take the back end apart to replace the engine support crossmember

Ahh! That explains the lack of a rear bumper

[CitroJim]

Gave Skoda a really good wash today...

It's really made quite a difference... Most of the washing took place in the rain but in truth it's not a bad time to do it...

Own Work

Saxo alos got a quick wash too... Alasdair did such a wonderful polish on it the muck just slides off

She's now reversed onto my drive - so the engine bay is nearest the garage - ready for points/plugs/tappets and ignition timing...

I'm also keen to overhaul the petrol pump to see if I can resolve the fuel drain-back... I'll soon see if I can get hold of an overhaul kit...

I checked the Saxo manifold heater today... All is good in that department so that's another suspect eliminated

Not many left now

The heater relay and the double injection relay both live right underneath the engine ECU...

Own Work

I did start to polish Skoda but rain stopped play... It almost knew I was polishing

[Stickyfinger]

LOL, anti-rust wax does make a white cars engine bay look rather dirty