Window covers and next sleepover

I've looked at quite a few YouTube tutorials about making insulated window covers to keep heat in/out and black out the windows at night. I had an imminent sleepover coming up, so quickly made some that do the insulating bit but haven't yet covered the backs with anything to make things a bit more "stealthy". Ultimately, I'll glue some nylon backed black material on to the backs.

I got a roll of lining wallpaper to make some stencils - that was all fairly straight forward - then traced the shapes onto a roll of "Reflectix" type material that I got from B&Q. I bought a pack of 15 suckers off Amazon and added 2 per cover, with an extra one on the bigger rear window. 

This all worked really well. Easy to put on and take off. It's difficult to say how much difference it made to the heat retention, because it was probably 6 deg warmer than my first overnight, but there was no condensation on the windows, whereas last time they were running. They also blocked the light really well.

I also got a fold up windscreen cover from Halfords, which works pretty well. I may trim it down to fit better some time but it's good enough for now.

On this sleepover, I spun the passenger seat around, which gave loads more room but. importantly, also made the space feel a lot bigger. I had a really comfy night, camping out at friend's after a music evening.

On the way back, I crammed all of my music and camping gear into the front passenger side and dismantled / collected a shed I'd bought off Marketplace for the garden. Such a versatile vehicle this - she swallowed it up with ease!

 

Alloy Wheels

A set of alloys was not top of the list of priorities. After all, I'd spent time refurbishing the wheel covers. I'd been looking on Marketplace and EBay just to see how much they went for and most were about £150 - £200 for a set of 4.

This set popped up not a million miles away from my regular drive across to Whitchurch for £110. I made a silly offer of £75 and got them for £78 :-) Although they are quite dirty and stained from brake dust, three of the tyres are reasonable as well. 

I figured I could put a budget tyre on and use them for a while until I have a bit more spare cash, at which point I'll get them refurbished and a new set of tyres.

Following some YouTube "wisdom", I gave them a clean using spray on oven cleaner (i.e. caustic soda) and they have come up surprisingly well. I didn't really have much of a go at the backs. 

I just need to get a new tyre now and I'll swap them over. Looking forward to seeing how she looks with a smarter set of shoes.

And the answer is that she looks mighty fine. Completely transformed in fact, I would say. I’m starting to feel pretty proud of the old girl 🙂.

 

Spark Plugs

As the engine was running so nicely, I had originally been intending to leave the spark plugs, but after finding that the air filter apparently hadn't been replaced for a long time, I thought I should do the plugs. It's not exactly like they are expensive.

True to form, it all took a bit of getting apart, but not as bad as the air filter. Why are modern engines so difficult to get into?

So, the good news was that the plugs were a fairly nice colour. The bad news (or good, depending on your viewpoint) was that the gaps were enormous! Definitely glad I'm changing them. And I gave the threads a good coating of anti-seize :-)

On my first tankful of fuel after replacing the air filter and spark plugs, I was pleased to see that the MPG had gone from 30 to 32. I'm pretty happy with that, considering I'm essentially pushing a big square box, with the aerodynamics of a brick, along!