Clio 197 Cup project (Racing Blue).

[detail1]

Welcome to my Clio 197 Cup project, I hunted hi and low over the last few weeks for a clean & standard low mileage example, finally picked it up today with 40K miles.
I am a professional car detailer by trade, so the plan is to strip, and clean all areas and bring it back to it's former glory utilising current parts where possible, and some personal improvements here and there.

For starters here is the car home this afternoon, absolutely love it!! Will update the thread as and when.

 

[Rogue]

Are you gleam machine based in chafford?

 

[leeboy]

Looks great! I miss my old RB 197.

 

[detail1]

Are you gleam machine based in chafford?

Yes mate.

 

[Rogue]

Was looking at your website the other day funnily enough. You did one of the moderators Dads cars, Merc SLK600 I think. Cracking job, paint is so silky to touch!

 

[detail1]

A few bits done this afternoon, 1st job was to remove the wiper arms for a repaint in satin black, whilst they were of the scuttle panel was removed to clean behind and unblock the drainage channels.







Thoroughly cleaned and de-greased, drainage holes unblocked, followed by a liberal coating of WD-40.



Panels put back after treating with Gtechniq C4 trim restorer.



New Valeo wipers fitted to refreshed arms.







Front grills removed and painted.



Plastic primer.



3 coats of Satin Black.







Diffuser removed to sort these nasty old exhaust trims out.





Diffuser cleaned and replaced, until I can decide what to do with it.





Renault Sport tax disc holder fitted, kindly left by the last owner



Ipod sorted.



Thats it for the time being.

 

[Gam]

Got to work on that sharp Rob well done!

Was going to mention the scuttle panel clean to you but looks like you are already way ahead of the game!

Paintwork seems to be in good condition already but I'm sure with your expertise we will see it looking even better!

 

[badbuzz2]

welcome to the club stunning motor :thumbup:

 

[Jcs]

Another thread which proves that I really need to paint my top grilles.

Looks great

 

[Rotoryboy]

:welcome:

Looks very clean and I expect, will be cleaner :thumbup:

 

[detail1]

A few small tasks carried out over the weekend- arches and components clean and de-greased, rusty brake hubs refinished for the time being, but discs will need replacing later this year.





Wheel bolts repainted in a graphite colour, as were the centre badges.











Interior trims repainted from silver to a light graphite colour, to add a bit of contrast to the interior.













Re-routed the ipod cable as it was bothering me trailing around the centre console.



Next jobs lined up this month are 40k mile service (booked in).
Steering wheel and gaitor retrimmed.
Hopefully time to get the paintwork detailed.

 

[Gam]

More subtle changes there Rob that really are noticeable once done!

Seeing how nicer the hub looks with a lick of paint has made me decide to get that done.

 

[detail1]

A few more bits carried out over the weekend, just had it's 40k mile service by TwoTechs in Dartford, Terry the owner is a thoroughly nice guy and certainly know's his stuff regarding Renault's, happy to recommend.

Rear light clusters removed to switch over the indicator bulbs for some fresh Silvertec bulbs, whilst the light housing's were off the area behind was given a thorough clean.





Possibly silver once.





Cleaner and brighter.



Lenses looking a little swirly.





Machined.







Bootlid machine polished (50/50 comparison).









Later style RS badge added.



The recess where you place your hand under to open the tailgate had several light scratches, so these were machine polished out and some Sun-Tek paint protection film added to prevent further scratches, you can just make out the edge but barely noticeable in clarity.

 

[Rogue]

Looks great. RB always comes up well.

I use Terry for most mechanical stuff, top lads down there.

 

[kane]

nice car

 

[Fernandez]

Looking very nice

 

[detail1]

Led's arrived.



Interior a lot brighter now.



Number plate and side lights before and after.









Cover plates behind the door handles wrapped.





Mirrors removed to solve the re-appearing cobweb problem.









Protected with Gtechniq C4 trim restorer.



Finally my cherished plate certificate came from the DVLA.

 

[gaz]

Lovely that


the cover plates behind the door handles, do they just pop out??

 

[LukeRS]

Some really nice touches there and good improvements.

 

[detail1]

Lovely that


the cover plates behind the door handles, do they just pop out??

Thanks, yes mine just popped out with relative ease.