Paint

A few weeks ago my cousin and I decided to fix a few trouble paint spots on my soon be 2007 Chevrolet Optra5. Since the first year of ownership with my parents the paint has been peeling and chipping in specific areas. I documented the process so I could share the experience. This was my first time attempting something like this. 

Here we started removing the loose paint and rust.

The paint and undercoating on the rocker panels was quite thin except near the pinch welds on the bottom.

This is where we started to apply the paint primer.

Here we applied the rock guard. It is definitely more than what was there originally.

Here are pictures of the finished product, with the primer, rock guard, paint and clear coat. 

We were very pleased with the end result. We ordered the paint from Express Paint. It was a perfect colour match. 

Final Test drive

In the past few months I have been aiding my parents in shopping for a new car. They have finally narrowed it down to the 2011/2012 Hyundai Elantra and the 2012 Ford Focus. My parents did an overnight test drive of a 6 speed manual Elantra last week. Today My parents test drove a 5 speed manual Focus sedan. My parents would be getting the Focus hatchback. Today during the test drive I took some pictures of the car to share with you.

This is the focus hatchback

This is the Focus we test drove. 

My first suspension repair

Yesterday I spent a better part of the day replacing the rear left strut on my soon to be 2007 Chevrolet Optra5. The first photo shows the trunk with the floor removed.

This job quickly proved to be more work than I had expected, especially just to gain access to the left rear strut tower, shown below. 

Here is the area that was the focus of yesterday's project. 

Below I have removed the brake caliper and disconnected the stabilizer link from the strut. Removing the stabilizer link was quite involved because the threads were damaged from corrosion and road debris. 

Now I have detached the bottom of the strut from the knuckle, and the brake hose from the strut. Next I had to remove the strut mount bolts from the strut town at the top and out it came.

To the left is the replacement strut assembly and on the right is the original. As you can see on the white plastic section the original strut has been leaking and was no longer good.

Here is the strut tower where the top of the strut will be mounted to.

And finally here is the replacement installed, now it's time to put the wheel back and I am all done. 

Long weekend and Dirt 3 :D.

Hi, I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend. This Victoria Day weekend some of my family came up to visit. It was a nice weekend. The weather could have been nicer at time, but I suppose I shouldn't complain. I was in the water this weekend hooking up the water at my Grandparent's cottage. Once we got used to the temperature it was refreshing since we just finished cutting the grass. Sunday night my cousins and I went to the Mustang Drive in, I am glad the weather cooperated. We saw Fast Five and Thor. I have seen both movies, but my cousins had not. I always enjoy going to the drive in. For me it is more enjoyable than going to the theatre. The atmosphere is different. 

Today as you probably guessed I bought Dirt 3! I have been waiting for this game for a while as I am sure many people have. I have a big rally fan. For people who are expecting it to be a lot like Dirt 2 might be a little disappointed in the presentation and the set up of the game. I think overall I like the soundtrack of dirt 2 more so far. I like the idea of it being set up like a racing career where racing team sponsors are acquired based on your reputation. When I started the game I tried the Ford Focus RS WRC in Finland with the default settings. It was far too easy! All the driving aids were on such as ABS, stability control, traction control, auto steering, corner braking, and throttle management. All of these aids were on, what a joke that was. I felt like I didn't have to do anything I could floor it and point the car, and it would adjust the throttle, brake and help me steer my way through a near perfect lap. As soon as I turned the aids off the game felt a lot more familiar. I also found the rally cross events easier without the driver's aids. I think people who are looking for a game that is set up more like a racing career and want more rally events will thoroughly enjoy this game. I also love the fact that it has a split screen multiplayer option. That is my first and brief impression on Dirt 3. I hope to be on here more this coming summer to share my thoughts and experiences with you. Take care everyone.

Canadian Federal Election 2011

Today's blog is about the recent federal election. The photo used was taken May 2 before I headed out to the polls. I see this photo as a symbol of change and the end of one form of government and a beginning of another. In this blog entry I have written two sections; anyeah  objective section and an opinion section. 

The objective section:

This federal election sparked significant change in Ottawa and across the country. I would like to congratulate Stephen Harper and Jack Layton on their respective victories. I think very few people were expecting the amount of loss the Liberals and the Bloc suffered thanks in a large part by the serge of the NDP support. For those who do not know the Conservatives ended up with 167 seat winning a majority government. The NDP won a record high of 102 seats which made them the official opposition. The liberals dropped to a record low of 34 seats. The Bloc Quebecois hit a record low as well with only 4 seats. The Green Party was able to win a seat for the party's leader Elizabeth May which is the first Green Party seat in Canadian history. 

The opinion section:

When I heard the news Stephen Harper and the Conservatives won a majority government I had thought my worst fears had came true. I couldn't believe it had happened, I didn't think it was possible. With how Harper behaved on the campaign trail I thought the best he could hope for was another minority. Soon after on the news I was seeing the NDP celebrating. When they announced they had won the official opposition I couldn't help but feel cautiously optimistic. 

My main concern is that Harper will run this great country the way he wants and doesn't listen to the opposition or the people he was elected to serve. We have seen some not so good things from Harper as a minority government. Such examples are the G20, the climate conference in Copenhagen, spending $26 million dollars telling us what a great job he has done, naming the Government of Canada as Harper Government and the list goes on. If we are to have a majority Harper government at least the opposition is headed by a strong and passionate leader. There is still hope for this great country we call home. 

A brake

During the course of the weekend I have adjusted the derailleurs and shifters. Today I picked up new brake shoes for my bike. The brake shoes I had on my bike are 20+ years old, so they were more than due for replacement. After some adjusting my bike's braking has been greatly improved along with the rest of the bike. 

Bicycle Computer

Today I biked around Big Island which is the first time this season. Since setting up my computer yesterday I have pedaled 22.419 km as you can see. The fastest I have gone so far is 38 km/h which I don't think is too bad. At the moment I can't shift to my highest gear or lowest gear, my bike needs another adjustment. So at the moment I have a 12 speed instead of an 18 speed. I am looking forward to even better biking weather! Oh and the tires I put my bike are awesome!