What Have You Done to Your Cougar Today?

Received some headlights today :D. Definitely loving the updated ones! Got them sitting next to my grill I've had waiting to find a decent pair in Aus, was not easy to find :LOL:. But definitely worth the wait! :)


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Thanks, I thought so too. Which is strange considering that Australias brutal sun usually decays the headlights and makes these all yellow. But I reckon the wrecker I bought them from must have polished them up. I got these shipped half way across the country from Queensland, which is one of the hottest states in Australia (I'm in South Australia at the bottom). So I think I was a bit lucky to find these. :)
 
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Noel, that's for getting rid of the yellow patina on white plastic. I can't say for certain, but it kind of feels like those techniques wouldn't work on clear plastic, (which is oxidation and UV discolouring of the protective film over the polycarbonate).

The only effective remedy I have ever used is progressively finer sanding, followed by polish and a UV protectorant.

You can use fuming acetone to reflow the polycarbonate, (acetone is the solvent used to produce poly in the first place) but it's properly risky and can end up making it extremely brittle. Which is to say that a stone chip that your light might normally shrug off instead causes it to freaking explode.

::edit:: Here's a dude reflowing the poly with liquid acetone.

A couple of notes:

1) If you choose to try this, make only one pass. Otherwise the towel will drag and you'll end up with ridges.
2) For pity's sake, take the time to remove the light cluster from the car. Don't risk your paintwork, especially with 0000-grade wire wool!
3) "Blue Juice", as he calls the window cleaner, is the vetenarian's phrase for pentobarbital. It's what they use to put animals down. I have never heard anyone call Windex/Windolene that.
 
There is a better explanantion of the yellowing process in the extra link at the bottom here After all, it always takes place on the surface, whether the plastic is coated or clear or not...
 
Good to see Paul today and give him a hand to hopefully get his Cougar back on the road after what we worked out is now five years.
Jobs today were rear brakes and hubs, and I was pleased to do a fair bit on my own without help for a change. A replacement clock spring put out the flashing airbag light, and removing the rat's nest of wiring around the rear lights (Scotchlok city - to do with the soon-be removed towbar) got everything illuminated once again. A change of plugs also improved the running, idle is still a bit 'hunty' but probably nothing an Italian tune-up won't cure.
When I left Paul was making a start on removing the aforementioned towbar, and at least two of the wheels were back on. Not long now mate!

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Kurwa! I wish I’d have known you were seeing Paul today Matt, you could of collected my rocker covers off him!!


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Thanks for your help today Matt, all wheels are on and car is back on the ground, need to find my standard headlight bulbs and side light bulbs for MOT, need to fabricate a bracket for the exhaust but all the Main MOT stuff is now done so just waiting on a wiper blade to be delivered then got to start on the one off interior pieces you hadn’t seen before to get them sorted (y)
 
Goblin is friend of mine and I'll never forget that. She's looking great and if you want to drop her over here so that she gets a regular run, I won't complain and nor will my colleauges!

Just kidding of course. :beer:
 
Drove her the half dozen miles or so to work and back, enjoyed the burble from the twin exit, missed the extra rasp the slight blow in 2 exhaust gaskets used to give. Wondered if there is any performance difference between the standard cams and the ST200 ones now fitted.
The past 2 weekends have in part been spent working on the front brakes on the little suzi as I don't want to drive the Cougar on the coming winter salted roads.
 
That's interesting - I didn't know that you couldn't get a Zetec with the sunflap. I just assumed it was a global option, (and not one necessarily tied to the X-pack, either).
 
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