What Did You Do To Your Avant Today?

[2006SLine]

Saw this idea for a thread on a Vintage VW site, thought it was cool.

Today I added shadow line to my window molding, that stuff is actually really forgiving to work with and it turned out really nice! If anyone is looking to black out their window molding, I'd encourage you to give this a shot! I used the 3 inch and it worked great. I actually wasted some trying to install in my driveway when it was too cold, so I cut it in half to 1.5 inch widths to ensure I had enough this time and utilized a friends heated shop for the install. On the quarter windows I sectioned it by using a small section of the full 3 inch part on the super tight corner and seaming it where the seam in the molding is, I'll post pictures when I can get a few in the day light, but other than that the 1.5 inch worked great. Gonna try to do my roof rails with the 5 inch stuff next.

http://www.bmwshadowline.com/

EDIT: Ok, got out in the 34 degree cold today and washed the car, it was filthy!! Also ordered a bunch of detail stuff from Detailer Domain to take advantage of that 20% discount and the 5" shadowline for the roof rails, that's my entry for today.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...in-with-20-OFF

This picture shows the bottom corner of the quarter window, you can see I put a small piece over the seam in the molding, the seam is near impossible to see unless you look close, another huge benefit to this stuff. But, this is where I used a full 3" wide piece, from here to the rear door jamb then used the 1.5" that I cut from there around to the bottom of the molding in the front of the front door.


Here's a side view picture of the same side, you can't see the seam obviously in the picture and even from a few feet in person you can't. Turned out really nice, looking forward to getting the rails done now too.

[IronRooster]

Thank you for putting up photos!

I've been tempted to black out my chrome bits, but haven't ever wanted to commit to blacking it out forever--this is awfully tempting b/c it says it is removable!

[tankdeer]

Same thing I did about a year ago. Works pretty well. I should have been a little more careful in my trimming as there are a couple of spots that need to be redone, but you only notice it when you're close to it. This is the only real pic I have handy, but you can still see - no chrome window trim.

[bblume]

Looks good, I too am reluctant to pull the trigger on the black out, but it could be awesome...is shadowline worth the $500 or is it cheaper than that?

[2006SLine]

Looks good, I too am reluctant to pull the trigger on the black out, but it could be awesome...is shadowline worth the $500 or is it cheaper than that?

To just do the window molding was $20 plus about 4 hours of my time. The 5" is $40 shipped plus another couple hours I'd guess for the roof rails. Far cry from $500, unless your hourly rate is better than $73 at your job and you can afford a vinyl wrap company to do it for you, I was quoted via email $180-$200 for the roof rails. It's removable as well if you decide you don't like it, but with black wheels on a black car, seems almost necessary for the right look.

[feelgood156]

Same thing I did about a year ago. Works pretty well. I should have been a little more careful in my trimming as there are a couple of spots that need to be redone, but you only notice it when you're close to it. This is the only real pic I have handy, but you can still see - no chrome window trim.

I want to rock 'urple wheels!

[tankdeer]

I want to rock 'urple wheels!

Do it!

[bblume]

To just do the window molding was $20 plus about 4 hours of my time. The 5" is $40 shipped plus another couple hours I'd guess for the roof rails. Far cry from $500, unless your hourly rate is better than $73 at your job and you can afford a vinyl wrap company to do it for you, I was quoted via email $180-$200 for the roof rails. It's removable as well if you decide you don't like it, but with black wheels on a black car, seems almost necessary for the right look.

Oh...okay, I must be confused by one of the pages on the shadowline website....the real price makes it easy to pull the trigger.
I''ve already got a blacked out grille sitting in a box in my basement, so the next styling question is, if I made the window trim TI style (and maybe the roof rails) with the shadowline, would blacking out the headlight-chrome interiors and the S4 mirror covers (installed by previous owner) be necessary? Or could you rock the trim and rails with black with the mirrors and headlight innards still brushed alum/chrome??? I can't tell what it would look like in my situation. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated...

[tankdeer]

Oh...okay, I must be confused by one of the pages on the shadowline website....the real price makes it easy to pull the trigger.
I''ve already got a blacked out grille sitting in a box in my basement, so the next styling question is, if I made the window trim TI style (and maybe the roof rails) with the shadowline, would blacking out the headlight-chrome interiors and the S4 mirror covers (installed by previous owner) be necessary? Or could you rock the trim and rails with black with the mirrors and headlight innards still brushed alum/chrome??? I can't tell what it would look like in my situation. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated...

I think you can pull it off, depending on how you do it. If you look at my pic above, I still have the silver rails and grill. And although I'd like to change them, I have a hard time justifying the price on the grill, and I'm not convinced that the shadowline is durable enough for the rails. And in the end I still think it looks pretty decent. If you have silver wheels that would probably tie the rest in together without needing to do a total blackout.

[bblume]

Thanks for your thoughts....luckily I snagged the grill on ECS for $49 right before Xmas....it's not the RS4 grille but the blacked out stock grille and a europlate-ready filler. Are your headlights lamin-x or something different? I too wonder about shadowline on the roofrails being that they may take more of a beating...but maybe more durable than plasti-dip???

[tankdeer]

That's a hell of a good deal on the grill.

And yeah. Headlights are lamin-x. I have mixed feelings on the look, but the wife likes it so it stays. Could look much worse.

The shadowline is super thin. I haven't used the plasti dip before, but considering what it is I would expect it to be more durable. However I get the impression that it is somewhat thick and I don't know if that would interfere with the ability to put crossbars on the rack

[bblume]

Cool, thanx for the ideas...I think I'll start with the grille and go from there...I have some plasti-dip fanboys here in town and they seem crazy about it...one even plastidipped his wheels??? so I guess that'd be a test if there ever was one...I'm not sure I would do that though.

[2006SLine]

I think the only durability issues with the shadowline would be with installing and uninstalling roof racks on the rails, or if you happen to haul stuff often on them. I think the molding on the windows would get more abuse given their placement on the car and people walking by, bumping into it, etc. Yes, it's a bit thin, but once it's on it seems a lot more durable than it is when working with it. I just ordered the stuff for the roof rails, I'll reply with how it goes...

[bblume]

Thanks OP, do keep us updated...in keeping with the thread, I'm putting on this as soon as the
snow goes away from the ground near my garage.

[4squared]

Cracked my oil pan! I win!

[rollerton]

I dunno....It's probably just me, and I'll admit every once in a while someone pulls off a blacked out look with some style. What is it about the murdered-out/ tinted/black look? for the most part I just don't get it- I mean ...is it a limo? Or the batmobile? Black wheels, black tint, tinted tail lights, joey-mod, black trim, black rails! I honestly think the chrome (aluminum) makes the car looks pretty good. I'm 35...so I can't be THAT out of touch...can I? :)
And NOBODY can even come close to mimicking the Titanium package look with any blackout effects, sorry but it's obvious in every case I've seen.
Carry on though, well done in any case!

[tankdeer]

I think the only durability issues with the shadowline would be with installing and uninstalling roof racks on the rails, or if you happen to haul stuff often on them.

That's what I was referring to though - I use my rails quite a bit. But I'll certainly keep following this as I am interested.

[tankdeer]

I dunno....It's probably just me, and I'll admit every once in a while someone pulls off a blacked out look with some style. What is it about the murdered-out/ tinted/black look? for the most part I just don't get it- I mean ...is it a limo? Or the batmobile? Black wheels, black tint, tinted tail lights, joey-mod, black trim, black rails! I honestly think the chrome (aluminum) makes the car looks pretty good. I'm 35...so I can't be THAT out of touch...can I? :)
And NOBODY can even come close to mimicking the Titanium package look with any blackout effects, sorry but it's obvious in every case I've seen.
Carry on though, well done in any case!

It all depends on the car in question and the combination of mods. I think the OP's pulling it off pretty well (although I will say his brakes need some attention. ).

But in my own defense, my car is grey, no joey mod, no clear corner, silver grill, silver rails, and for the winter - purple wheels. More clown car than murder.

[2006SLine]

It all depends on the car in question and the combination of mods. I think the OP's pulling it off pretty well (although I will say his brakes need some attention. ).

But in my own defense, my car is grey, no joey mod, no clear corner, silver grill, silver rails, and for the winter - purple wheels. More clown car than murder.

It's all personal preference, you don't need to like a blacked out car. I like the stealth look of it all being black (I'm leaving the rings and the chrome rings and band on the center caps on the wheels) which is why I'm doing it, I'm perfectly alright with someone not liking it, to each their own!! Thanks for the compliments, and yes the brakes look like s%&* I admit, keep in mind I JUST washed it when the pictures were takne so there is a little surface rust on the rotor face that is usually not there, but I do want to paint my calipers and the rotor centers to clean them up.

[tankdeer]

At least you were brave enough to get out in the cold and wash it. Mine is filthy but I'm too much of a wuss to go outside and get all wet right now. Maybe when it warms up a little next week.

Edit: Lets see some pics of your oval window.

[2006SLine]

This is all I have right now because my house was broken into a couple months ago and my computer got stolen with all my photo's on it, they tried to steal the Oval actually too, but thankfully it had a few pieces off the engine and wouldn't start...



Found more pictures on a website I had uploaded before, gives you a better feel for the whole car...



Original 36hp numbers matching engine.


Original engine with Judson Supercharger installed. Makes it about 50hp, pulls like a 1600, but is period correct and a very rare and cool accessory. Mechanically operated with belts from the crank and lubricated by an original Marvel inverse oiler (delivers more lubrication at low RPM, therefore "inverse.").


Before restoration, mine is the bright superbeetle orange car, the other is my buddies '54.

[n3985]

The window trim vinyl is available at Pep Boys, it's called Trimbrite Blackout, comes in 3" width IIRC.

[tankdeer]

This is all I have right now because my house was broken into a couple months ago and my computer got stolen with all my photo's on it, they tried to steal the Oval actually too, but thankfully it had a few pieces off the engine and wouldn't start...

That's bullshit man. Sorry to hear that. Beautiful oval - glad it didn't get snatched too.

[feelgood156]

Patrick,

What's your car look like w/ its summer outfit?

2006sline

Did the bend in the window present any problems to you?

[naiku]

I want to rock 'urple wheels!

I kinda do as well, haha, if someone had told me purple wheels would look good on an Avant I would have laughed. They look really cool.

This is all I have right now because my house was broken into a couple months ago and my computer got stolen with all my photo's on it, they tried to steal the Oval actually too, but thankfully it had a few pieces off the engine and wouldn't start...

Gorgeous Beetle, I think I have only ever seen one or two Oval windows, someday I would love to own something similar.

Back on topic, I cursed at my Avant today for attracting bird crap a day after I washed it because it was..... covered in bird crap! And no, I do not park near any trees and it is in a garage overnight.

[tankdeer]

Patrick,

What's your car look like w/ its summer outfit?

Mostly the same but with RS4 reps (boring, I know).


Also it turns out I don't have that many pics, but this is when I knew it was time to change to the winter setup. Was slipping and sliding a bit before this was taken.

[tankdeer]

I kinda do as well, haha, if someone had told me purple wheels would look good on an Avant I would have laughed. They look really cool.

Thanks man. I say go for it. Would look really good on white too.

[2006SLine]

2006sline

Did the bend in the window present any problems to you?[/QUOTE]

The only one that was a problem was the lower one in the close up. I should have taken pictures during the install, but I used a full 3 inch piece from the bend to the door jamb and used the seam in the molding as a natural place to splice the two pieces of shadowline together. On other bends I did have to cut relief cuts and use a little heat and persistence to get it to get around things, but overall it wasn't too bad.

[2006SLine]

"Gorgeous Beetle, I think I have only ever seen one or two Oval windows, someday I would love to own something similar."


Thank you!! It was a ton of work, but it's a fun car to drive when the weather is nice in the summer, but so is the Avant! I'll post more pictures once I can get it out and cleaned up again.

[feelgood156]

I can't quite picture what you're describing haha, sorry.

But post more pics when you have time, what you have posted looks great. This would be a great 1st DIY!

[kneel]

I washed her up,

Before



AFTER



Added the new snowboard to the roof box (ROME HEADLINE 160)

[2006SLine]

I can't quite picture what you're describing haha, sorry.

But post more pics when you have time, what you have posted looks great. This would be a great 1st DIY!

Yeah, sorry doll, not easy without good pictures a long the way. I'll try to document the rails better and see if I can mock up what I'm talking about on the molding...

edit

[tankdeer]

Yeah, sorry man...

Hint, hint.... feelgood is a lady.

[2006SLine]

Hint, hint.... feelgood is a lady.

Whoops, thanks for the tip...

Haven't done a damn thing to my car, it's still been cold, I have a big project I'm working on and now it's also raining again in Portland... I did order caliper paint, red audi ring caliper stickers, smoked front marker reflectors, and valve stem caps. I also added more pictures of the Oval I remembered I had posted on a VW site to the original picture post above. Cheers!

[Greedo]

Neil is all about showing that new snowboard off!

[tankdeer]

Whoops, thanks for the tip...

Haven't done a damn thing to my car, it's still been cold, I have a big project I'm working on and now it's also raining again in Portland... I did order caliper paint, red audi ring caliper stickers, smoked front marker reflectors, and valve stem caps. I also added more pictures of the Oval I remembered I had posted on a VW site to the original picture post above. Cheers!

What is your big project? I heard the rain is supposed to let up for another couple days and it should be cold and dry again. Not as much as last week, but still dry. And I am really digging your Oval. And I LOVE the old school Judson. Adds a whopping 14hp huh?

[2006SLine]

What is your big project? I heard the rain is supposed to let up for another couple days and it should be cold and dry again. Not as much as last week, but still dry. And I am really digging your Oval. And I LOVE the old school Judson. Adds a whopping 14hp huh?

Edit: I'm a little slow, just realized you asked about the project I referenced, that one is a project for work...

No real big project per say, I really like the look of my car as is, but wanted the aluminum molding and rails blacked out and want to clean up the calipers, gonna do Adams Rotors when the time comes. Other than that I do want to do a in depth detail and paint restore, ordered all the stuff for that last week. I'm sure that's a couple day job at least and might have to be saved for the spring. My big projects on it have been 034 HFC about a year ago, coilovers and wheels in September, and blackout grill/filler plate in September. Nothing major, but like I said I like it as is. Might look into the clear corner headlight mod and the LED light mod at some point??

Thanks for the comments on the Oval. The Judson is pretty sick I have to admit... Only 14hp (supposedly, I don't think anyone knows for sure, but that's the common number people kind of agree on), but the % increase is pretty significant, it's basically like a stage 1 flash on your Audi.

[boostedAvant]

Played with her!


Neil the car looks great! Atlas FTW!

[lagomorph]

so this weekend...
the final list of parts swapped on the Audi wagon (30v v6)
timing belt, pulleys, and tensioners
water pump
thermostat + o-ring
front main crank seal
camshaft seals (4x)
camshaft plugs (2x)
cam tensioner seals (2x)
valve cover gaskets (2x)
serpentine belt and tensioner
radiator (preventative maint, it looked ok, but gut told me change it)
thermofan switch
removed oil pan, cleaned, and reinstalled with sealant on gasket-(was leaking horribly)

[AvantJunkie]

Today I threw my car up on jackstands in order to track down the elusive coolant leak......