Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1168
Sills
About 3 months ago I removed some terminally rusty side steps, which also revealed some rust to the sills like this at each step mounting point:
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Nothing too drastic but I did want to clean them up before refitting the plastic sill trims.
I sanded down the surface rust and then treated each area with Fertan to convert whatever might be left:
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Each area was then treated to etch primer, regular primer and a top coat of green Smoothrite. The latter isn't a perfect match but it's more for protection than cosmetics as it'll be completely hidden by the trim:
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I bought new trim pieces from Powerful UK, which came complete with new plastic clips. It was at this point that I realised I needed to remove all of the yellow clips that still remained in the sills, as the new ones were one piece affairs.
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Along the bottom edge I used salvaged plastic rivets but added new stainless bolts in place of the rusty originals.
In order to fit the new trim it's necessary to unfasten the small trim pieces behind each front wheel, which also included removing the mud flaps. Unfortunately, mine didn't really survive the process as the metal reinforcing brackets had corroded too much. Time for a new pair
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Still, at least it now all looks smart again:
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Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1168
Headlight Security
A spare few minutes this afternoon saw a couple of headlight security brackets installed. Apparently, they can be stolen without lifting the bonnet. To be honest, I'm not sure how much of a concern this really is but the modest cost and simple fitment meant it was an easy decision to fit them.
The brackets are formed of 3mm stainless and are designed to lock the headlight release tabs in position:
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Fitting is nothing more complicated than undoing two bolts at the front of each wing, dropping the brackets in place and refastening the bolts again:
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These particular ones came from 4x4 Overlander, although there are similar ones on eBay that carry the Terra Firma logo.Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Member Since: 06 Jan 2023
Location: Rickmansworth
Posts: 173
Yarp. I fitted those too. I then put thick black electrical tape over the real light cluster screws so you can't unscrew them with the door shut (which apparently 'was a thing').Discovery 4 HSE late 2015 Euro6
Jaguar XF Portfolio (PX'd for above)
Mitsubishi Galant V6 (PX'd for above)
Instagram: @mrtedgfx
10th Sep 2024 9:31 am
LandRoverAnorak
Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1168
Blimey, I didn't realise that was possible. I'm clearly not devious enough Thanks for the tip, though.Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Member Since: 06 Jan 2023
Location: Rickmansworth
Posts: 173
I ment REAR light cluster screws! Aye, a previous security forum post mentioned you can 'just' get a long thin screwdriver in the gap and pop both screws and the light clusters just slide out!Discovery 4 HSE late 2015 Euro6
Jaguar XF Portfolio (PX'd for above)
Mitsubishi Galant V6 (PX'd for above)
Instagram: @mrtedgfx
10th Sep 2024 10:34 am
RogB
Member Since: 15 Jun 2018
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 1706
some have fitted the rear light screws using number plate plastic caps and then glued the caps down2011 D4 XS 305 MY12 - gone but not forgotten
Last edited by RogB on 10th Sep 2024 2:52 pm. Edited 1 time in total
10th Sep 2024 10:53 am
LandRoverAnorak
Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1168
Thanks. Something else to take a look at.Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
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