Today I.....
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L162LZ
Member
I think they need the special topcoat lacquer to avoid the UV light decomposing the polycarbonate. I understand from the factory they have a coating on them that degrades over time. You can use Carnuba wax as thats UV resistant too but would need to re-apply it regularly
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2work
Well Known Member
Hello all,
Today I… Have been playing with a rather tatty Votex Spoiler. I excitedly forgot to take pictures prior to commencing the tidy up so here’s the pictures the previous owner took:
Awful paint job (zoom in)
Looks to have factory fixings which was a good sign
This was a complete gamble as I was unsure if this was indeed a genuine Votex item, mainly as the inset part number area was covered over with filler but there was a visible witness line which appeared to be the rectangular shape of the inset part number area.
First up was to get it in the bath to give it a deep clean and check for damage. There was a split on one of the side panels which I fully repaired once the spoiler was cleaned and dried off - it’s as strong as new now.
What I’ve not got a picture of is the underside which shows the top part of the factory spoiler. Yes this was removed in a way that allowed the standard spoiler to separate from the vehicle and come off with the Votex item. Fortunately it was an easy task to remove the unwanted standard spoiler part, 60 seconds of heat and it pulled off once the side bolts and rubber cup washers were removed.
Here’s the underside with the unwanted spoiler part removed:
Quite a promising sign that this was indeed a genuine spoiler
After a few hours with some no-nonsense paint stripper applied then the shoddy black paint job quickly came away. After that the spoiler was rubbed down with fine grade wire wool and IPA to remove any sticky paint residue. It started to look quite good and almost ready for a bit of preparation prior to adding paint:
As you can see, it’s needs a small amount of work to make perfect ahead of and primer and paint but that’s easy enough to achieve when the time comes, what I wanted to concentrate on next was revealing the inset part number area that had been filled. I know some of you would possibly have left it filled but I was quite happy to see if I could safely get to the embossed part number. I done this with applying acetone to the filler along with gentle heat and scratching away the filler with a fine point engraving bit in the Dremel. Took quite a while to do but was extremely happy to see what I was slowly and forensically being presented with. Here’s what was discovered below hardened filler which had been on there for probably many years:
Clearly over the moon to have been able to rescue this area to confirm it’s a genuine spoiler. Seems these items are like buses; not seen one available for years and suddenly 3 turn up into my possession. So after a few hours work along with waiting for the stripper to do its thing for 2-3 hours, I am left with something that is getting close as you can possibly get to a new factory Votex spoiler. I’m sure after a rub down it’ll be splendid but that can wait for now as I don’t have the vehicle to put it on yet - I’m suddenly in the situation that I have more Votex than A2s; which isn’t a bad thing is it?
Kind regards,
Tom
Today I… Have been playing with a rather tatty Votex Spoiler. I excitedly forgot to take pictures prior to commencing the tidy up so here’s the pictures the previous owner took:
Awful paint job (zoom in)
Looks to have factory fixings which was a good sign
This was a complete gamble as I was unsure if this was indeed a genuine Votex item, mainly as the inset part number area was covered over with filler but there was a visible witness line which appeared to be the rectangular shape of the inset part number area.
First up was to get it in the bath to give it a deep clean and check for damage. There was a split on one of the side panels which I fully repaired once the spoiler was cleaned and dried off - it’s as strong as new now.
What I’ve not got a picture of is the underside which shows the top part of the factory spoiler. Yes this was removed in a way that allowed the standard spoiler to separate from the vehicle and come off with the Votex item. Fortunately it was an easy task to remove the unwanted standard spoiler part, 60 seconds of heat and it pulled off once the side bolts and rubber cup washers were removed.
Here’s the underside with the unwanted spoiler part removed:
Quite a promising sign that this was indeed a genuine spoiler
After a few hours with some no-nonsense paint stripper applied then the shoddy black paint job quickly came away. After that the spoiler was rubbed down with fine grade wire wool and IPA to remove any sticky paint residue. It started to look quite good and almost ready for a bit of preparation prior to adding paint:
As you can see, it’s needs a small amount of work to make perfect ahead of and primer and paint but that’s easy enough to achieve when the time comes, what I wanted to concentrate on next was revealing the inset part number area that had been filled. I know some of you would possibly have left it filled but I was quite happy to see if I could safely get to the embossed part number. I done this with applying acetone to the filler along with gentle heat and scratching away the filler with a fine point engraving bit in the Dremel. Took quite a while to do but was extremely happy to see what I was slowly and forensically being presented with. Here’s what was discovered below hardened filler which had been on there for probably many years:
Clearly over the moon to have been able to rescue this area to confirm it’s a genuine spoiler. Seems these items are like buses; not seen one available for years and suddenly 3 turn up into my possession. So after a few hours work along with waiting for the stripper to do its thing for 2-3 hours, I am left with something that is getting close as you can possibly get to a new factory Votex spoiler. I’m sure after a rub down it’ll be splendid but that can wait for now as I don’t have the vehicle to put it on yet - I’m suddenly in the situation that I have more Votex than A2s; which isn’t a bad thing is it?
Kind regards,
Tom
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D
Deleted member 20348
Guest
The rear beam spring had a two inch section of broken spring being held captive by the upper rubber mount, almost comoflaged but discovered when cleaning the area.
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Howey
Member
I like those kyb springs but on the tdi they do lift the front approx 12mm which actually allows for a more comfortable ride and extra support on bad roads
CrispyEdd
Member
Great stuff! Will this mean eud will have the votex spoiler fitted? Any way this can bee scanned or its dimensions recorded for mass production while off the car? Didn't someone mention on here somewhere that someone may be able to remake the kits?
2work
Well Known Member
Morning Edd,
Project EUD already has a Votex spoiler Sir:
It was Colin @V666col who recently mentioned the possibility of reproducing them. I’ll be teaming up with him to see what’s possible for the right money. It’s of course achievable but the costs must be good otherwise nothing will sell. A new thread with all the details about this venture will commence soon enough once I’ve had a virtual sit down with Colin to discuss the finer details.
Yes the stripped down Votex spoiler will be used for the fabrication of the reproduction tooling. I now have a complete full kit spare ready to be used as the templates.
Kind regards,
Tom
2work
Well Known Member
Hello all,
Today I… After running a FSI instrument cluster with TDI firmware for a few days in Project EUD and covering some 300 miles without issue I’d say that’s testing complete. The FSI instrument cluster works in a later TDI with later TDI firmware written to it. Winner as I now have a few spare TDI clusters should the need present itself. After reading up online it appears that this process can be used for other engine types in the A2 range but tried anything different than above so far.
What does this mean though? Well as I’ve finished tinkering with different clusters, I can finally put my 3DcolorMFD cluster back in, with a little difference:
I’ll add some more pictures later on when the natural light dissipates to show the backlit numbering on the scales. I think it’s a beautiful finish which has yet again out an impassive smile on my face.
Kind regards,
Tom
Today I… After running a FSI instrument cluster with TDI firmware for a few days in Project EUD and covering some 300 miles without issue I’d say that’s testing complete. The FSI instrument cluster works in a later TDI with later TDI firmware written to it. Winner as I now have a few spare TDI clusters should the need present itself. After reading up online it appears that this process can be used for other engine types in the A2 range but tried anything different than above so far.
What does this mean though? Well as I’ve finished tinkering with different clusters, I can finally put my 3DcolorMFD cluster back in, with a little difference:
I’ll add some more pictures later on when the natural light dissipates to show the backlit numbering on the scales. I think it’s a beautiful finish which has yet again out an impassive smile on my face.
Kind regards,
Tom
L162LZ
Member
Headlight lacquer applied today, two coats and I'm really pleased with the results, night and day compared to how they were originally. Just got to let it cure properly for 24hrs before reassembly. I had to take one of them apart because somehow there were old leaves inside it and the lens was mucky on the inside. The N/S I left in one piece as was easier
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2work
Well Known Member
Nice work,Headlight lacquer applied today, two coats and I'm really pleased with the results, night and day compared to how they were originally. Just got to let it cure properly for 24hrs before reassembly. I had to take one of them apart because somehow there were old leaves inside it and the lens was mucky on the inside. The N/S I left in one piece as was easier
That headlight looks brilliant. Hopefully I can rejuvenate that pair I’ll have together soon.
Kind regards,
Tom
L162LZ
Member
Thanks Tom, other ones back together now.
Was pretty straightforward, sanding kit and lacquer were under £30 in total. Just be careful with the lacquer. I read a few reviews about lacquer going milky (blooming) if applied too thin (Solvent gets trapped and goes cloudy)
Think I was slightly too thin on first coat and started to go cloudy after 4 or 5 mins. Quick blast with a hair dryer resolved this and it went clear again. Second coat was applied a bit thicker (don't go too thick or you'll get runs) and looks perfect now. My 22 year old Audi A2 headlights look like new again
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Good Evening,Thanks Tom, other ones back together now.
Was pretty straightforward, sanding kit and lacquer were under £30 in total. Just be careful with the lacquer. I read a few reviews about lacquer going milky (blooming) if applied too thin (Solvent gets trapped and goes cloudy)
Think I was slightly too thin on first coat and started to go cloudy after 4 or 5 mins. Quick blast with a hair dryer resolved this and it went clear again. Second coat was applied a bit thicker (don't go too thick or you'll get runs) and looks perfect now. My 22 year old Audi A2 headlights look like new again
What brand of lacquer did you use?
Thanks.
Andy
L162LZ
Member
Hi Andy,
It was this from Amazon
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Thanks for that but I had bad experience with E-Tech. Regardless of how much pre- agitation it spit like mad and took a lot of time to start again. Gave up.
Andy
D
Deleted member 20348
Guest
Yesterday I tackled the oxidation.
To make it more of a challenge I decided electric power tools didn't exist and instead used screwdrivers a flat file and sandpaper.
This was to demonstrate what can be achieved with basic tools.
To make it more of a challenge I decided electric power tools didn't exist and instead used screwdrivers a flat file and sandpaper.
This was to demonstrate what can be achieved with basic tools.
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L162LZ
Member
That's a shame I read a lot of the reviews on Amazon and most were good except for the odd 2 where they had blooming effect (easily solved with hairdryer). There was no spitting on the tin I had and it went on quite smoothly.
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D
Deleted member 20348
Guest
Halford wheel trim spray paint with a top coat of Lidl protective paint
L162LZ
Member
Great job, looks lovely and clean !!
bretti_kivi
Member
Actually, yesterday... I got used as a guinea pig for this machinery's first laps
roll on IT25... probably 15+16 Feb 2025... and yes, we had 3 A2s around, lots of quattros, some Haldex, and ancient Subaru and a lovely Coupe with the 5-cylinder. Nom!