The Mad Wagon

**Extreme_Vic** · 04-30-2013 08:41 PM

Well I figure its time for me to finally contribute something to this site instead of lurking in the shadows and absorbing all your Audi goodness.

My first Audi. She treated me well, got me around on many trips. Gave me some headaches

, sometimes alot of headaches

but all in all she was good to me.

But she never filled that space in my heart and I was always wanted an Avant. My search took me long and far to the deepest parts of the internets. Finally stumbled on a suitor and made my move.

I picked her up and immediately got to work. Here she is with coils on.

And enjoying a sunset.

So there she is and I will use this thread to throw up what I am doing / already did. Also for general evil discussions and picking apart your brains!!!

**SleeperAvant** · 05-01-2013 12:22 PM

Looks clean. 6MT or tiptronic?

**Extreme_Vic** · 05-01-2013 07:37 PM

6MT. O yeah.

**Extreme_Vic** · 05-01-2013 08:11 PM

42Draft Designs catch can came in on Monday. Threw it in yesterday and today started working on getting the engine bay covers custom cut to fit.

Its one nice catch can. Very solid craftsmanship. Love the dipstick on it to check your levels. Such attention to detail it makes an engineer feel all warm inside. Have some stainless allen screws to match the rest on order from McMaster Carr. Those zinc plated dont match but allowed me get it installed.

Had=d to make a semi-custom mount position for it to fit. Slight drilling required.

Valve cover is a bit dirty. Guess I'll save that for the clean up the engine bay project.

Thanks goes out to DRAKLORE or answering my questions on the catch can.

**SleeperAvant** · 05-02-2013 08:30 AM

One clean install!

**tankdeer** · 05-02-2013 01:30 PM

Nice looking dolphin.

**flir67** · 05-03-2013 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by TheMadEnginerd

42Draft Designs catch can came in on Monday. Threw it in yesterday and today started working on getting the engine bay covers custom cut to fit.

Its one nice catch can. Very solid craftsmanship. Love the dipstick on it to check your levels. Such attention to detail it makes an engineer feel all warm inside. Have some stainless allen screws to match the rest on order from McMaster Carr. Those zinc plated dont match but allowed me get it installed.

Had=d to make a semi-custom mount position for it to fit. Slight drilling required.

Valve cover is a bit dirty. Guess I'll save that for the clean up the engine bay project.

Thanks goes out to DRAKLORE or answering my questions on the catch can.

beautiful car, engine looks tiny.. to the 3.0 and V8's,

**Ahoelk** · 05-03-2013 03:26 AM

Would an oil can serve purpose on a 3.0? Or does it really only do good on a turbo based engine?

**Extreme_Vic** · 05-03-2013 09:21 AM

Its purpose is to keep crud from re-entering your engine. Turbo or NA doesn't technically matter.

The amount of crud however is based on Turbo, injection methods and other engine specs.

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**Ahoelk** · 05-03-2013 10:55 AM

Thank you for the info. I will look into this further, anything to prolong the life of the Avant.

**Extreme_Vic** · 05-03-2013 05:40 PM

Yes I know. Next car will definitely be an S. Just not in my price range yet.

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**Extreme_Vic** · 05-06-2013 06:44 PM

Here's a little DIY I did a couple weeks ago. Fishscale trim to brushed aluminum. Previous owner had extremely long nails and wore lots of bracelets. Actually thats a completely made up hypothesis. But the trim had all sorts of scratchs and dings. To say it took some time is an understatement but its defintaley was worth it. Looks 10x better. Once you get in a groove you can really knock pieces out.

Hat tip to the previous people who did this and put me in the right direction. Even though I didn't really follow them completely. *Hint acetone removes clear coat, so if you mess up you don't have to resand like the DIY's say*

Anybody looking for tips or directions on how I did it Id be glad to help.
*PS Those smudge looking things on the passenger side door trim are a weird side effect of the camera flash. Freaked out after I took the pictures today, ran outside and checked.

**bgc996** · 05-06-2013 07:04 PM

Man that looks awesome! Good job. I really want brushed trim in my avant. I like the carbon but think the brushed gives the perfect contrast.

**Extreme_Vic** · 05-06-2013 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by bgc996

Man that looks awesome! Good job. I really want brushed trim in my avant. I like the carbon but think the brushed gives the perfect contrast.

Yea, thought about doing Dinoc wrap but black on black didn't really do it for me. Plus this was wayyy cheaper.

**Ahoelk** · 05-06-2013 09:06 PM

Yes that does look cool, must haven taken a lot of time though

**THEDLO** · 05-07-2013 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by TheMadEnginerd

Here's a little DIY I did a couple weeks ago. Fishscale trim to brushed aluminum. Previous owner had extremely long nails and wore lots of bracelets. Actually thats a completely made up hypothesis. But the trim had all sorts of scratchs and dings. To say it took some time is an understatement but its defintaley was worth it. Looks 10x better. Once you get in a groove you can really knock pieces out.

Hat tip to the previous people who did this and put me in the right direction. Even though I didn't really follow them completely. *Hint acetone removes clear coat, so if you mess up you don't have to resand like the DIY's say*

Anybody looking for tips or directions on how I did it Id be glad to help.
*PS Those smudge looking things on the passenger side door trim are a weird side effect of the camera flash. Freaked out after I took the pictures today, ran outside and checked.

vinyl? If so how flexible is it with the aluminum texture at all?

**Extreme_Vic** · 05-07-2013 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by THEDLO

vinyl? If so how flexible is it with the aluminum texture at all?

Its not a wrap. The fish scale pattern is some sort of finish on the aluminum. Remove the fish scale pattern and you have raw aluminum. Then you "brush" it with sandpaper to get the directional pattern.

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**Extreme_Vic** · 05-12-2013 11:25 AM

Meanwhile in The Legion of Doom!

Had a couple of easy To-Do's for the weekend. I did the clear corner mod with a partial Joey mod. I personally like the chrome housings, but I really dislike the gray plastic on all B6's, B7's for the headlights and grill. So that piece was painted black, subtle change but noticeable.

Before

During

After

While the bumper was off I also did a couple of other small things. Like I mentioned I really dont like the gray color grill so that got the plasti-dip treatment, kept the chrome chrome for now. See how it all flows when I finally get the tint done and fix other small things that Ill discuss later.

A bigger issue that I resolved was the gaping hood gape. Holy hell it was so large looking back at it. I assure you thats with the hood latched.
I can only guess it was so large because it was put on under the bumper adjusters.

And after I adjusted it. You can also sorta see the slight difference in the grill color. Would have taken pics outside but winter came back and its damn cold.

Lastly I dipped the rear valence to get rid of all that Audi grey plastic.

Next on the small project lists (ANY TIPS PLEASE LET ME KNOW)
-Fix the exhaust, hangs too low. I'd like to get it up in the valence. Hopefully its just the hangers...
-Fix this, pretty bad oxidation/ watermarks on the rails and window trim. Ive been able to do short term fixes to cover it up, but it comes back. I'm reading into it right now...

and lastly
NEW WHEELS ON WEDNESDAY!!!**

**pending if I can get them on, they're wide...

**Ahoelk** · 05-13-2013 06:28 AM

I will be interested to se what you find,on the water marks I have the same, maybe jewelry polish would do the trick?

**GramCracker** · 05-13-2013 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by Ahoelk

I will be interested to se what you find,on the water marks I have the same, maybe jewelry polish would do the trick?

I had the same issue on both my Avants. I think a light wet sand and a polish are what it's going to come down to

**Ahoelk** · 05-13-2013 07:11 AM

Yes never anything fast and easy on an Audi I guess....

**tankdeer** · 05-13-2013 08:19 AM

I hear olive oil works well as a metal polish for the trim.

OP, any hints on the wheels? How wide are we talking?

**Extreme_Vic** · 05-13-2013 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by tankdeer

I hear olive oil works well as a metal polish for the trim.

OP, any hints on the wheels? How wide are we talking?

The oil works as a temporary fix, its basically making it look "wet" but comes off eventually. I used Virgin Olive Oil, Extra Virgin, Spainish... nothing worked. Ha. Got me through the first car meet of the season tho...

I've tried WD40 (used to remove some oxidation on an old fire extinguisher resto for my grandpa), Its the same, doesn't get deep enough. Seems it was pretty neglected.

I spoke to my uncle who's owned and operated a metal plated and finishing shop forever. The rails have a clear coat on them so he thinks I should start with metal polish. Which is a great excuse to get a pad/ polish set for the porter cable i used for aforementioned extinguisher resto. If that fails options are to go deeper or to do shadow line, but I like the metal. Also not sure on how shadowline holds up to ski racks? Any input?

Onto the wheels...
Wheels aren't anything $ or rare. First time picking up wheels. Never had any money in college and my work kept me on the road since then. I plan travel to the family vacation home some hrs away every weekend in the summer. So we'll see how they hold up, ride quality, etc. Prolly run them this summer, then decide what to do.

9.5 on 225s. Was planning on 235's but caved into pressure...

**Extreme_Vic** · 05-13-2013 07:19 PM

The *** was a little misleading, they're not ridiculously wide. Just probably need spacers but im opting to get them, then measure up and then swing by ECS, right down the road luck me.

**Extreme_Vic** · 05-13-2013 07:27 PM

Also this, 415miles + 15miles on the dash. Probably not a surprise to other B7's but unheard of in my B6.

**tankdeer** · 05-13-2013 09:08 PM

Yeah, you shouldn't have any issues fitting 9.5's

**cab509** · 05-14-2013 04:45 AM

looks great, I'm jealous, I was looking for a DG avant forever but I needed HID lighting in my life and ended up getting a QG avant instead, welcome to the avant family, you'll never want to leave, I already don't, haha.

**Extreme_Vic** · 05-14-2013 05:14 AM

Yes that's a project down the road. I am missing the HID on my b6.

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**Slow4** · 05-14-2013 06:58 AM

Originally Posted by TheMadEnginerd

Envious of your REAL brushed aluminum trim; mine is vinyl wrapped brushed aluminum. Same feeling/texture, but noticeable difference.

**Extreme_Vic** · 05-14-2013 07:19 PM

Well I guess Wednesday came a little early...

New wheels are in. Miro 112 18x9.5 et40 on Hankook Ventus Evo v12 225/40/18 rubber. I guess you could say I may be the first with these wheels, but theyre pretty much the same as the 111's just dont have the strange flare out on the spokes.

Now a couple whore shots.

For the people interested in stretch.

I might play with the coil overs height

And an artsy shot.

Just need to size up some spacers. Im thinking 10's for an ET30? Really kinda in the dark on it, measured it to be about 1.9cm from fender to beginning of the tread front and back, but I dont want it that close. Gotta daily this and freeway haul it to the vacation spot on the weekends. Input always welcome.

**calitri808** · 05-14-2013 08:51 PM

I use steel wool 0000.. It's really fine grit so it won't scratch the trim. I usually spray a little wd40 on the steel wool before going at it. Takes off whatever water spots and oxidation on chrome or polished trims. I use it on my windows too for the water spots... Just male sure it's steel wool 0000 (4 zeros)... I think you can get it from home depot or lowes..

**wildcat333** · 05-15-2013 11:50 AM

OP >>> AMAZING brushed aluminum work. I really think I should do it, but I'm scared I'll f it up.

**Extreme_Vic** · 05-15-2013 08:39 PM

Originally Posted by wildcat333

OP >>> AMAZING brushed aluminum work. I really think I should do it, but I'm scared I'll f it up.

If you have basic DIY skills you can do it. If you did any of that work in your signature in your car your qualified to do it. I'd be happy to guide you through. If you muster up some confidence send me a PM.

**Extreme_Vic** · 05-16-2013 07:01 PM

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**Ahoelk** · 05-16-2013 09:28 PM

Looking SWEET

**A6Avant** · 05-17-2013 09:56 AM

duuuuuuude!

**CCA4** · 05-20-2013 10:43 AM

Try some Eagle One Nevr-Dull for that window trim. Looks old school, you open the can and say "wtf?" and then you use it and never look back. It's not magic and it will take some elbow grease, but it works great.

**cal3thousand** · 05-20-2013 01:39 PM

Here's something to consider about that ugly chrome crap: When I put on my yakima rack, the rubber feet left a nice "polished" spot after removing it (like your rail). I don't know if it was the vibration or the rubber just contacting it over time.

**alphaVR** · 07-11-2013 09:46 AM

sent you a pm about your wheels. might be getting a set myself. then again if youre in cleveland, that might be a bad idea... cant have two of us running around here with the same wheels haha

**CARTEL** · 07-11-2013 10:17 AM

Nice, really liking the trim and headlights. What DIY did you use for the headlights, if I may ask? A buddy just picked up a B7 who's looking to do clear corners...