If you could keep me in the loop with where you get to, I'd be really greatful!

One thing I've loved on Porsche's are black wheels with a silver lip. In the summer, I may do this to mine.

I'm also painting the inner barrels of the alloys silver too so you get a clean inner wheel. Like these:

https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5723/3...9720b113_b.jpg

Notice the inner barrels being silver, as well as the silver rim? Black inner barrels make the wheels look too dark. But these are gorgeous.

Did a quick Photoshop of my wheel (didn't do the inner barrel silver yet):

http://i.imgur.com/HNoXxW3h.jpg

Thoughts? I'm worried that the alloys don't suite the colour theme, and that if I were to do this, I'd have to change wheels.

Do you think they work?

with the inner barrels painted silver to match the lip, those wheels will look sick!(in a good way of course) :cheers:

Randy

If I split my lights again I would dremmel off part of the projector shrouds to allow the longer sidelight bulb and make it more visible. A bulb with a lens on it would then be fine I think. Seems the current clearance is about 38mm and the bulb I bought was 45mm long. Ordered the 15w which is 28mm so will see how that is when it arrives.

Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk

Those wheels look superb .
Makes me think I should paint the side vents, radiator vents black and do the wheels like you suggest on my speed yellow boxster. Not sure I should do it to the oem 5 spoke wheels though, what do you think?

Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk

Unfortunately I've just read the MOT guidelines and they say the surface of the bulb cannot be 50% covered.

BUT, it also states that the front 'positioning lamps' (sidelights) should just be two lamps, either side of the car, are forward facing, same height (no specific height), white in colour (blue tint is acceptable as long as it's predominantly white), and that's it. It states that DRL's aren't testable unless they are replacing the positioning lamps, in which case they must dim when the positioning lamps turn on, and extinguish when the headlamps turn on. But mine aren't running as DRL's as they don't activate with the ignition, they're just replacing the sidelights.

So these DRL's are white, same height, either side of the car that illuminate when the switch is turned to the positioning lamp indicator. That's all that's required of sidelights. The only thing they can't be is different height, a different colour other than white, or the surface covered 50% by an object.

So in your case, if you don't want to fit DRL's like I've done, you'll have to either make the front foglights the sidelights (and fit a dimmer LED H7 bulb), or replace the main beam bulb with a sidelight bulb and have the dipped beams come on when you flash (but you'd be flashing HID's, which could be bad?), or drill holes in the headlight. That's your only options!

I'm going to the garage on Monday to confirm all of this, but the information was from the 2017 MOT guidelines.

Are they 17" turbo 5-spokes, 18" turbo 5-spokes, or 18" carrera 5-spokes?

Some random photos:

http://i.imgur.com/r2Vo4BEh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mvmLGB0h.jpg

These are carrera wheels aren't they? They are 18".
I see why you asked as they don't have a defined edge to paint / leave silver.

Good info about the MOT.
Although I suspect that a garage wouldn't check to see if a bulb is 50% covered if it was bright enough.
If it's a problem and yours passes then I can always connect DRL's to the sidelights loom just for the MOT.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...01f36e06a2.jpg

Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk

Duplicate post

They'd look like the anniversary wheels if you did it to yours, which I'm a fan of :)

A better photoshop of the wheels, showing the silver inner barrel:

http://i.imgur.com/rl4EAxnh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/y8QFb0Qh.jpg

I'm still undecided.

I've received and fitted the 15w LED sidelight bulbs. They are a big improvement over the standard bulb but they don't get around the fact they are obscured. The light output is probably OK at night but touch and go whether they would escape attention in a day time test. I just don't know. Could do with an opinion from an MOT testing station, but I don't have a contact to call upon. A couple of rubbish pictures, both at night and one with and one without the phone flash operating.
Would definitely be OK if I hadn't painted the headlight inners black though.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9525b5eac4.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...449368ca9c.jpg

Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk

Painted carrear Wheels
 

Here are a couple of examples of carrear wheels that have been custom painted. Although Ger's are not the single spoke variety you can get the picture. I know with his talent he could put these guys to shame.
http://986forum.com/forums/uploads02...1487712405.jpg

I like, they look the business to me.

Could this be done DIY successfully?

Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk

I thought they looked pretty cool too and they have the lighter colored rim that Ger was wanting. I've got a set of carrear's in my shed waiting for a refurbishment. Maybe I'll give it a shot.

I'd still be careful bud! They look bright enough, but it does say that the face can't be covered more than 50%. If they look at the headlight and can't see the bulb they may fail you!

They look gorgeous. And thank you :) I'm still not sure mine are suitable for the colour scheme, so I'm sticking with anthracite.

I went out for about 10 minutes and did a quick sand and polish on one of the spokes, and it came up glossy as hell. I've decided to take the wheels off, re-spray the barrels (in silver), lacquer them so they're easy to clean, then I'll sand and polish the faces back to a perfect gloss. Basically just going to give them a good refresh.

Anthracite looks amazing on this black Boxster:

http://i.imgur.com/qc7XU9Kh.jpg

But it's a slightly different shade. I love the shade on that and on the wheels you've posted, so I may have to re-do them in another shade of anthracite, preferably one with a high metallic look.

It can. If your alloys are already silver, tape up the edges, spray with primer, then base coat, remove the tape, then lacquer so that the edges are protected.

Okay sorry for the repeated photos of the wheels.

I don't think the silver lip on the black wheels would work on this style. However, a fully black wheel could work.

I'm down to these choices:

Anthracite with silver barrel:

http://i.imgur.com/sUavtBbh.jpg

Black with silver barrel:

http://i.imgur.com/0crW1oEh.jpg

Gold with silver barrel:

http://i.imgur.com/xfFoKWQh.jpg

Surprisingly, gold looks good with the black paint.

Opinions?

Anthracite with silver barrel would be my choice, black would be my #2 choice.:cheers:

Love the gold Geraint, much as I like black wheels, that's just too dull.

Thanks for the suggestions :) I think I may just keep it safe to be honest, may just keep the anthracite but refurbish completely in a better, darker and more metallic anthracite as a best of both worlds, while keeping the inner barrel.

In other news! I've replaced my rear control arms today. £120 for the two, did it in 2 hours, and my word the car is silent now. Not a single bit of knocking, so I'm very happy.

Yep, replacing the rear control arms makes a huge difference for relatively little money!

Had a bit of sun today so gave the car a thorough clean with a fresh coat of wax.

http://i.imgur.com/6FKUvy3h.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/vYqsuEQh.jpg

Just bought a Google Pixel and the camera is just ridiculous!****

WOW! I can actually see my reflection in your paint.

Yeah, I am sure it is the camera! Gorgeous :cheers:

I don't think it's possible to take a bad photo of Ger's car, but well done, sir!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks guys :) I detailed it back in the summer with a 3 stage machine polish, etc. Since then I've washed it with two buckets (three including the wheel bucket) and techniques to prevent swirl marks. Before I waxed it yesterday I checked the car over with a swirl lamp, and there's not a single swirl mark. The paint is just as fresh as when I detailed it. Just goes to show how washing techniques save paintwork.

+1 on the three step correction. We had some warm with last weekend, so I did the full job. My car is not quite the example as Ger's, but with this method, starting with an aggressive compound applied with a dual action machine, and then a mid-grit, followed by a fine polish - will get rid of most, if not all, of the swirl marks. Then I follow with Klasse sealer and finally a nice carnuba on top. Not too shabby.


http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/a...psnf0kygyr.jpg
http://i989.photobucket.com/albums/a...psq768w3fq.jpg

Beautiful :)

Hi Ger

Did you get your MOT done with the sidelights issue?

Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk

Nah not yet, next month :)

Right! MOT!

Initially failed the MOT, but now passed the MOT no advisories, although it did cost £608.

As expensive as it sounds though, it was a bloody great price. The garage was gutted because of the fail on the rigid brake lines, so they did me a favour.****I'll explain.

Rigid brake lines - Failed & Advisory
This was the only big thing wrong with the car. The rigid lines had corrosion on them. Some failed, some were advisory, but I decided to rip them all out and do them all.****It took the garage a day and a half to do them as they were taking their time and making sure the did a proper job, but they didn't charge me anymore than a quoted price which I'll explain later.

Front flexi brake hoses - Advisory
The fronts had slight cracks in them, so I decided to change them. They offered to fit braided hoses for a steal of a price, but I declined as I love the brake pedal feel, and didn't want this to turn into a car that's uncomfortable to drive daily.

Front tyres - Advisory
These had slight cracks in them as they were the tyres on the wheels when I bought them. Annoyingly the tyres I have on the rears (Falken 453's) are now discontinued and I couldn't get them anywhere as I wanted them on the fronts. After searching everywhere, the garage managed to source 2 of the last 6 in the UK, and put them on the fronts for me.

Exhaust clamp - Advisory
Just two bolts that were missing, I knew about this but didn't know it would advise. Re-did this myself using nuts and bolts from B&Q.

Emissions - Fail
The emissions failed as they should have been 1.030, but were 1.550. This was only on the left bank though. Originally thought this was a failed lambda, but after digging in the engine bay it was due to a disconnected plenum hose in the engine bay, and the emissions passed flying colours on the next run.

So how much did all of this cost?

Tyres: £258
Flexi hoses: £40
Brake fluid: £10
All rigid brake line fabrication and replacement, and labour for everything: £300 (cash in hand)

That's £608. I could have passed it just by spending the £300, but I don't want advisories. In all fairness to them, that's a great price for everything. When you

Car is now back on the road, and is great! Front tyres are exceptional, brake feel is fantastic, and the MPG is much better. The garage told me it shouldn't fail again after this, it's mechanically sound.

She's better than ever.

http://i.imgur.com/Ip98SQNh.jpg

Sounds like money well spent. Can't argue with the tyre costs as they are consumables. Seems a great price for the brake refurb.
No issues with the sidelights then?

Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk

Nah no issues at all. Side lights needed to be a predominantly white light, pointing forwards, to the left and right of the car. They passed no problem at all :)

Sorry for the lack of updates guys, had quite an interesting past few months. Me and my partner split so that's been a bit of a troublesome period trying to help her move (was on good terms, but stressful never the less). Still, more time to spend on this!

Nothing new to report after the MOT though, enjoying every minute of it in this stunning weather.

Decided to treat it with sealant and two coats of wax:

http://i.imgur.com/pPXP3Mhh.jpg

...and one more photo, because why not.

http://i.imgur.com/v8vSVKdh.jpg

Looking good Ger!

Thanking you :)

Looking at what I've done so far, it's quite extensive!

- Full detail with 2-stage paint correction
- Roof coated with hydrophobic sealant
- Exhaust Bypass Pipes
- 18" 987 Boxster S alloys in anthracite
- Android In-Car Entertainment
- One-touch roof relay
- Coloured centre caps
- Front Cree LED DRL's
- Bi-Xenon Headlights with H1 5000k bulbs
- Rear LED lights
- Matt black rear badge
- Replaced all Porsche caliper decals
- Wheel nut caps
- Parking Sensors
- Aluminium dust caps
- LED Cree indicators
- LED Cree numberplate bulbs
- Hybrid aero wipers
- Silver ash tray
- Original Porsche mats
- Ambient night footwell lighting
- Courtesy footwell lighting
- Door sill 'Porsche' umbrella
- New rigid brake lines all round
- New front brake hoses
- New rear control arms
- New drivers window regulator
- New coolant cap

Ger, love what you've done with your boxster. I'm now in the club, with a new (to me) '03. It's also black with the same gray interior you've got. What kind of leather dye did you use on the handbrake? I've got the same issue there, and on the driver's side bolster. Thanks in advance.

Ah I'll have a check to see if I can find the company who did it. Ive for the colour code for the leather too. Was a little pot that cost around £10, that you apply with a sponge by dabbing it on, the dabbing it on a dry side to feather it in. Comes up perfect!

Had a productive day today!

Caught up with a friend of mine who owned a lovely Corvette C4.

http://i.imgur.com/4AvEcpQh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/B4ofza7h.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/8nzL3Qsh.jpg

(continued next post...)