A couple of threads recently have prompted me to consider a couple of mods that have been around for a while. I was planning to do them over the weekend, but didn't find the time. However, I was bored last night so I decided to crack on with them

1) Removal of the windscreen tape - I had thought about this before, but not done it due to the risk of poor quality paint underneath. Last night I decided to take the plunge and started peeling.
I peeled from the seam in the corner of the window frame down the drivers side first. Once you have got your thumbnail under the seam it lifts relatively easy and you then need to pull pretty hard, but steadily to remove the tape. I tried to get the adhesive off at the same time as the tape, but decided in the end that it was impossible to remove all in one go.
I then peeled towards the middle from that corner and had a few problems with the tape being caught on the rubber seals and tearing - it was a bit tricky to get going again afterwards, but I managed to pull it all off to the middle.
Finally on the passenger side I decided to start from the bottom by opening the door and pulling upwards - this worked best for me

I still have the adhesive to remove as it got dark, but the paintwork is fine underneath and I'm pretty pleased about that A quick session with some Zaino this evening should see the colour shine through

2) Headrest windblockers - Now I know you can buy Lexan ones from Ricks for $25 inc shipping, but after reading a post (by Vernon IIRC) I decided that it was a top idea to make my own and save a few more pennies towards something more significant. So I prised off the backs of the headrests (with the car key ) which too all of 30 seconds each I then used the inside of the 'oval' to draw a template on some paper, making sure to draw at a slight angle so that the template was very slightly larger than the hole.
I then taped this template to some old rind binder black plasticy stuff (textured to match the headrests ) and cut around it. Easily got both 'blockers' out of a single sheet of A4.
I then taped (using some removable 'invisible' tape) these cut outs onto the back of the headrests (so that the tape is effectively inside the seat and not seen) - I did this as I figured at high speed if the cut outs were loose they might rattle as they vibrate slightly. The pushed the headrest backs back on.

I then went out for a quick blast with the roof down. I can't say I noticed a huge difference as the hole in the seat is level with my neck rather than head... but it did seem slightly less chilly. I reckon it will show a lot more on a long motorway journey where my neck tends to go numb I expect it will make more difference to MJ as she is much shorter than me, so we'll try that out at the weekend

So net cost

 

Top bombing

Pics of the window tape removal would be nice. I need to pluck up the courage before the plunge

 

going to have a go myself this w/end as found shoulders a bit stiff after top down drive to Brighton on Sunday.

Will let peeps know if any significant change.

Great ...forgot that driving could be so much fun.

Drove from Stevenage too Brighton and back via Chigwell and not one other s seen

 

Thats a before shot

 

Monte Carlo Blue is the duck's guts.

 

Does anyone actually know why that tape was put there in the 1st place ?

 

Blimey it's been washed !!!!

 

It's ok Jamie, don't worry.. that is an old photo

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by GSi
It's ok Jamie, don't worry..

 

You won't have any as you have an '02. But it's the black tape that goes around the windscreen..
You'll notice that it's not present on your car