IMO matt graphite gels better than the blue for claddings. Again, just my opinion.
No idea. May be residue formation.
No idea. May be residue formation.
“The Blue Elephant” My Safari 4x4 Review & Mods
- Thread Starter bhvm
- Start date
Thread Starter
#212
fantastic work to give a fresh update to the safari.![[cheers]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Cheers.gif "Cheers [cheers]")
.I can understand how paint work can eat away hours during preparation state .But the final finish just evaporates the hardwork put in to get the desired finish
.I can understand how paint work can eat away hours during preparation state .But the final finish just evaporates the hardwork put in to get the desired finish
Thanks !
Yes. Buddy is good for coarse work. Especially lower grit sanding where a lot of material has to be removed for flattening scars & Scratches. Upper sanding & all Painting is by me.
Nope. Generally dad drives it.
XUV is due for 1L service. Which looks like some major service.
100% AGREE!!
I have been shouting from the rooftops all this while,for this only!! Just look at my post no=118.
Here I am quoting my own post...
"The safari in the start of your post 115 is looking beautiful and is a good example of it.You have already made such a huge effort,now maybe just switch to a better colour scheme.
p.s It was not intended to damp your spirit,but just my opinion.Even if you don't agree with me ,I am now,and still will be 100% with you in your project. "
I have been shouting from the rooftops all this while,for this only!! Just look at my post no=118.
Here I am quoting my own post...
"The safari in the start of your post 115 is looking beautiful and is a good example of it.You have already made such a huge effort,now maybe just switch to a better colour scheme.
p.s It was not intended to damp your spirit,but just my opinion.Even if you don't agree with me ,I am now,and still will be 100% with you in your project. "
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Thread Starter
#214
I am aware of this.
Graphite body trims are reserved for 2nd innings with the beast.
But then my Blue elephant will be come African (Grey) elephant.![[surprise]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Surprise.gif "Surprise [surprise]")
Graphite body trims are reserved for 2nd innings with the beast.
But then my Blue elephant will be come African (Grey) elephant.
Thread Starter
#215
b17- DIY Noise & Heat Insulation for doors -
Since having both XUV & Safari in one garage, I was always bothered about High NVH from the Safari. There is night and day difference although both use the same 2.2 Block developed by AVL.
I thought I would be wise to try some DIY insulation and add to the royal feel.
Damping vs Insulation-
Damping means adding mass to the panel to change its resonant frequency. This is useful to minimize buzzing and vibration if you have High powered audio system.
Insulation means adding an absorbent/Spongy layer between the source and your cabin to Minimize transmission or Absorb the Sound. Sound Insulation also often works as Heat insulation.
Material Choice-
The material chosen was Neoprene. This is a closed cell foam with excellent Noise & Heat insulating properties. Does not absorb water like yoga mats. And Is very easy to work with.
Part 1 Cutting all the pieces to size-
2. Sticking the foam. I used Rubber adhesive like Fevicol SR or Speb 7.
The foam was Glued on the interior of Door pads, as well as Insides of doors. This will give me 2 layers of Excellent insulation. The Already Solid doors of Safari now close like a tank.
Every nook and cranny foamed up.
This is not a shop! Its how I placed weights to let the glue settle overnight-
Insulation glued on internal metal sheet-
How a ready door pad looks-
Since having both XUV & Safari in one garage, I was always bothered about High NVH from the Safari. There is night and day difference although both use the same 2.2 Block developed by AVL.
I thought I would be wise to try some DIY insulation and add to the royal feel.
Damping vs Insulation-
Damping means adding mass to the panel to change its resonant frequency. This is useful to minimize buzzing and vibration if you have High powered audio system.
Insulation means adding an absorbent/Spongy layer between the source and your cabin to Minimize transmission or Absorb the Sound. Sound Insulation also often works as Heat insulation.
Material Choice-
The material chosen was Neoprene. This is a closed cell foam with excellent Noise & Heat insulating properties. Does not absorb water like yoga mats. And Is very easy to work with.
Part 1 Cutting all the pieces to size-
2. Sticking the foam. I used Rubber adhesive like Fevicol SR or Speb 7.
The foam was Glued on the interior of Door pads, as well as Insides of doors. This will give me 2 layers of Excellent insulation. The Already Solid doors of Safari now close like a tank.
Every nook and cranny foamed up.
This is not a shop! Its how I placed weights to let the glue settle overnight-
Insulation glued on internal metal sheet-
How a ready door pad looks-
Attachments
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Thread Starter
#216
3. The Vapor Barrier that was torn, was Either Taped back or Rebuilt-
Taped back-
Missing parts?
No Problemo! Missing Vapor barrier remade using 2 layers of Bubblewrap-
Taped back-
Missing parts?
No Problemo! Missing Vapor barrier remade using 2 layers of Bubblewrap-
Thread Starter
#217
4. Perks and niceties-
They say, Insulation is all about Luxury & Finesse. Then It would not make sense to keep any rough edges around. The perks and niceties involved focusing on smaller aspects.
The hole behind ORVM mount was filled with 3 layers of Foam. There was a hole within hole within Hole. So 3 layers. All glued nicely. This hole solved most of the howling wind noise everyone has been complaining of (In safari) at 100+ Kmph.
Minorly rusty ORVM bolts were dabbed with Varnish.
Any Possible rattling or Creaking attachments were filled with a support of Foam to prevent so.
AC ducts were sealed with tape once again to prevent AC air leakage or Dust/Noise entry.
They say, Insulation is all about Luxury & Finesse. Then It would not make sense to keep any rough edges around. The perks and niceties involved focusing on smaller aspects.
The hole behind ORVM mount was filled with 3 layers of Foam. There was a hole within hole within Hole. So 3 layers. All glued nicely. This hole solved most of the howling wind noise everyone has been complaining of (In safari) at 100+ Kmph.
Minorly rusty ORVM bolts were dabbed with Varnish.
Any Possible rattling or Creaking attachments were filled with a support of Foam to prevent so.
AC ducts were sealed with tape once again to prevent AC air leakage or Dust/Noise entry.
Attachments
Thread Starter
#218
b18- LED puddle lamps for all doors.
Xuv comes with nice & white puddle lamps for every door. However they are a little on the weaker side. Safari comes with Incandescent bulbs but only on front 2 doors. Lets take our DIY 2 steps forward, shall we?
The Pics are mostly self explanatory. I have used a section of 5050 LED strip in Warm white Color (looks more royal IMO). The section of each strip was simply glued to the bottom of Door panel where it would not block or Hit anything. Then the power was simply taken from Red light circuit thats present on each door. I did forget taking Working & Soldering pics.
The LED strip consumes just 2W per door and has been working flawlessly, whilst being significantly brighter than any factory puddle lamps I've seen on a car!
Xuv comes with nice & white puddle lamps for every door. However they are a little on the weaker side. Safari comes with Incandescent bulbs but only on front 2 doors. Lets take our DIY 2 steps forward, shall we?
The Pics are mostly self explanatory. I have used a section of 5050 LED strip in Warm white Color (looks more royal IMO). The section of each strip was simply glued to the bottom of Door panel where it would not block or Hit anything. Then the power was simply taken from Red light circuit thats present on each door. I did forget taking Working & Soldering pics.
The LED strip consumes just 2W per door and has been working flawlessly, whilst being significantly brighter than any factory puddle lamps I've seen on a car!
Thread Starter
#219
I just want to say THANK YOU fellas for your massive support!
My my my what a detailed workmanship ! absolutely love the details.Small things make big difference.The puddle lamp work is simply superb ..one thing about insulation when water seeps during rain won't it retain moisture and cause dampness of the metal causing it to rust faster ?
Thread Starter
#221
Thanks! I'm glad you liked.
No. Closed cell foam does not hold moisture like open cell material (Aka Sponge).
I have seen this material being used by Bus/ Coach builders. Its quite robust and troublefree.
Quote below-
Note- DO NOT use yoga mats for damping!!
No. Closed cell foam does not hold moisture like open cell material (Aka Sponge).
I have seen this material being used by Bus/ Coach builders. Its quite robust and troublefree.
Quote below-
Note- DO NOT use yoga mats for damping!!
no no i dint mean the material holding moisture but water getting trapped physically between the neoprene and the metal sheet of the door
Thread Starter
#223
Physically, I've applied complete layer of rubber adhesive to the foam. There is very slim chance water will make it between foam & metal. If anything, Water seeping into doors will just splash on foam & trickle down. Actually protecting the metal.
Awesome I'm sure you would have foreseen what I asked you about and made sure thinks are up to standards
How is the NVH after neoprene treatment? how can that be compared with XUV now?