Headlight washer cover doesn't fit properly

owenjt · Post by **owenjt** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 5:50 pm

I've just got a new front light washer cover for my car after breaking one but it's not painted. Its looks primed and ready for painting though.

Can anyone advise on how to go about painting it myself? Can i simply go into halfords and buy a can of paint? My GTi is silver.

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 6:16 pm

First of all you want the paint code. There are two silver paint codes for the GTi. so it's important to get the right one. Look under the carpet of the boot and there should be a sticker with it on.

Once you've got that, get the paint from a VW dealer. I think it's about Â£10 for a small can.

Not too clued up on good/bad laquers so someone else would have to recommend.

When it comes to the paint, thin and plenty coats are the best method. Maybe 4-5 layers? wet sanding every few coats with wet 1200 grit paper.

Once a solid and even coat is achieved with the paint, apply laquer. for best methods apply thick to achieve true shine, but be extremely careful for drips,!

When spraying keep strokes of a consistant speed, spray angle and distance.

bbspolo · Post by **bbspolo** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 11:25 pm

perfect explantion tim

kipper · Post by **kipper** » Fri Sep 05, 2008 12:47 am

i think we learned something very valuable here today guys..... never buy paint from halfords if u want it to match.

i got my paint from my local vw garage. the one i got is called reflex silver and its supplied in a small can about 300ml and a lacquer as well same size. about Â£13 if i remeber roughly. only problem was i brought it when i ordered my new wing mirror casing a while ago but forgot i was gonna respray it black anyway so when he asked if i needed the paint i said yes but didnt realise till after. im sure i'll use it on other stuff.

some group of kids decided it would be fun to be ruthless. one kid ran over my car, up my bonnet and across the roof and some kid kicked my wing mirror cracking the casing so its luckily i didnt change the casing over yet as i would of then had to buy yet another one.

bloody kids, have they nothing better to do in theyre summer holidays!!!!!

council and police wont do n e thing about it either. then the other night a kid smashed some guys van mirror just round the corner from my house.

sorry to go about other stuff..............

word of advice tho, once u finished painting it and are happy with it. leave it about 24 hours for the lacquer to dry properly otherwise u get finger prints on it then have to start from square one....

owenjt · Post by **owenjt** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:02 pm

Great thanks for the info. Checked and the code is LA7W. Will order a can of paint and let you know how i get on!

Tim_GTi · Post by **Tim_GTi** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 6:33 pm

Yeh, once finsihed leave it for a good week before putting it on your car.
It'll give the paint time to set and harden properly.

Because it's a forward facing part, it'll take a lot of battering from the road and recent weather, if it's not hardened properly it'll pimple. It happened to my mirror, twice.

Tom W · Post by **Tom W** » Sat Sep 06, 2008 9:41 pm

kipper wrote:i think we learned something very valuable here today guys..... never buy paint from halfords if u want it to match.

Unless im mixing it, then it will be perfect

mine was

kipper · Post by **kipper** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 1:58 am

Tom W wrote:
kipper wrote:i think we learned something very valuable here today guys..... never buy paint from halfords if u want it to match.
Unless im mixing it, then it will be perfect mine was

do u work in halfords then? or a car paint shoppy thingy?

owenjt · Post by **owenjt** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 3:53 pm

Ok so after a long time trying to get this right i finally tried to fit it to my car but now it's not fitting right.

I had to replace the washer pump as it was leaking, but when i attached the cover it's about 1/2cm off and doesn't completely cover up the hole in the bumper. Any idea how i can rectify this?

Kelk11 · Post by **Kelk11** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 6:09 pm

it not the wrong way around is it?

Post by **alexperkins** » Fri Dec 05, 2008 7:03 pm

There is a left and a right cover actually. It will only fit one way aswell

owenjt · Post by **owenjt** » Mon Dec 08, 2008 4:06 pm

Yep it's the right one. Done it now, in the end i had to take the bumper off again and make the screw holes for the washer pump bigger so i could move it slightly to the left.