Above 1200 Sq/FT DFB's Garage

[D.F.B]

Old Blue's turn today...................

Carpro Reset teamed with the Carpro DabDab.

IMG_4689 by D B, on Flickr

After blow drying, I decided to apply ADS Ceramic Sealant. This stuff couldn't be easier to apply, no streaking, no excessive buffing, no hokey pokey application method...................just spray, wipe, done. You then end up with lovely gloss and slickness. I'd say something like Carpro Reload has more slickness, but the easy application counts for A LOT.

ARMOUR Detail Supply Ceramic Spray Sealant 6 months Durability

Highly Concentrated SiO2 Infused Spray Sealant Introducing Ceramic Spray Sealant, a state-of-the-art spray sealant that provides unparalleled protection and shine to your vehicle. Infused with a high concentration of SiO2, this spray sealant is one of the most effective on the market and...

detailingshed.com.au

Armour Detail - Ceramic Spray Sealant | The Rag Company

Introducing Ceramic Spray Sealant, for long-lasting shine and serious protection. Packed with a high concentration of SiO2 and powered by a blend of advanced silazane resins and polymers, this sealant creates a slick, hydrophobic layer that repels dirt and water with ease. It keeps your vehicle...

theragcompany.com

IMG_4696 by D B, on Flickr

For some reason, I had a hankering for some AMMO Mud today, which smells delightful, is easy to apply and looks fantastic.

AMMO Mud Tire Gel

Final Step in the Wheel Regimen Restore contrast without excess This is where the look is completed. AMMO MUD is a no-sling tire gel designed to restore a controlled, semi-gloss finish to rubber surfaces, enhancing contrast without artificial shine. Applied to clean tires and trim, MUD returns...

ammonyc.au

IMG_4699 by D B, on Flickr

IMG_4703 by D B, on Flickr

Somewhere in my travels over the last week, I managed to lose a valve cap.................

IMG_4701 by D B, on Flickr

Now, this is a perfect example to describe the thought process that goes through an OCD mind. A seemingly insignificant, tiny little detail that in no way will stop the world from spinning................and yet it will eat away at me until I have the problem sorted. Yep, a valve cap can cause that sort of thought process. It's both a blessing and curse.

Anyway, I replaced all four with some black anodized items from Repco, of which I bought two different sets because I couldn't decide which to buy.

IMG_4706 by D B, on Flickr

Halfway through the detail, I had to stop and wonder how long I have been washing this car....................17 years this June. That also means 17-years washing F-series Falcon sedans. I don't know if this applies to others, but I tend to end up with a specific routine with each vehicle. As in, you know where the water collection points are, what areas trap soap and need to be flushed out during the final rinse, drying door jambs a certain way, which exterior surfaces that collect grime, needing a specific brush for the wheels, and so on and so on. Well, on I have washing these cars down to a fine art. If someone was watching me move around an F-series sedan, you'd witnesses something close to auto-pilot.

 

[D.F.B]

Spent far too long searching for a suitable replacement for a very specific Stihl fastener the other day. In the end, I landed on a random Phillips head screw, but then went online to see if I could find what I needed. So, instead of buying one screw, I overreacted and bought this 360 piece assortment kit instead..................

360 IN 1 Screws Bolts Nuts Clips Set Kit For Most of STIHL Chainsaws

Buy 360 IN 1 Screws Bolts Nuts Clips Set Kit for STIHL Chainsaws at Jono & Johno. Get the best deals on chainsaw spare parts online. Shop now!

www.chainsawspares.com.au

IMG_4711 by D B, on Flickr

IMG_4710 by D B, on Flickr

Actually, the above is take two after the supplier sent me the smaller 92-piece set instead. In addition to the Stihl set, they also do a Husqvarna equivalent as well.

92 in 1 Small Parts Kit For STIHL MS660 MS461 MS460 MS440 MS441 MS361 MS360 MS260 066 046 044 036 02

92 in 1 Small Parts Kit For most Stihl chainsaw models MS660 MS461 MS460 MS440 - JONO & JOHNO

www.chainsawspares.com.au

92 IN 1 Small Spare Parts Kit For Husqvarna 362 365 371 372XP Chainsaw

92 IN 1 Small Spare Parts Kit For Husqvarna 362 365 371 372 XP Chainsaw - JONO & JOHNO

www.chainsawspares.com.au

IMG_E4644 by D B, on Flickr

 

[Geoff289]

Old Blue's turn today...................

Carpro Reset teamed with the Carpro DabDab.

IMG_4689 by D B, on Flickr

After blow drying, I decided to apply ADS Ceramic Sealant. This stuff couldn't be easier to apply, no streaking, no excessive buffing, no hokey pokey application method...................just spray, wipe, done. You then end up with lovely gloss and slickness. I'd say something like Carpro Reload has more slickness, but the easy application counts for A LOT.

ARMOUR Detail Supply Ceramic Spray Sealant 6 months Durability

Highly Concentrated SiO2 Infused Spray Sealant Introducing Ceramic Spray Sealant, a state-of-the-art spray sealant that provides unparalleled protection and shine to your vehicle. Infused with a high concentration of SiO2, this spray sealant is one of the most effective on the market and...

detailingshed.com.au

Armour Detail - Ceramic Spray Sealant | The Rag Company

Introducing Ceramic Spray Sealant, for long-lasting shine and serious protection. Packed with a high concentration of SiO2 and powered by a blend of advanced silazane resins and polymers, this sealant creates a slick, hydrophobic layer that repels dirt and water with ease. It keeps your vehicle...

theragcompany.com

IMG_4696 by D B, on Flickr

For some reason, I had a hankering for some AMMO Mud today, which smells delightful, is easy to apply and looks fantastic.

AMMO Mud Tire Gel

Final Step in the Wheel Regimen Restore contrast without excess This is where the look is completed. AMMO MUD is a no-sling tire gel designed to restore a controlled, semi-gloss finish to rubber surfaces, enhancing contrast without artificial shine. Applied to clean tires and trim, MUD returns...

ammonyc.au

IMG_4699 by D B, on Flickr

IMG_4703 by D B, on Flickr

Somewhere in my travels over the last week, I managed to lose a valve cap.................

IMG_4701 by D B, on Flickr

Now, this is a perfect example to describe the thought process that goes through an OCD mind. A seemingly insignificant, tiny little detail that in no way will stop the world from spinning................and yet it will eat away at me until I have the problem sorted. Yep, a valve cap can cause that sort of thought process. It's both a blessing and curse.

Anyway, I replaced all four with some black anodized items from Repco, of which I bought two different sets because I couldn't decide which to buy.

IMG_4706 by D B, on Flickr

Halfway through the detail, I had to stop and wonder how long I have been washing this car....................17 years this June. That also means 17-years washing F-series Falcon sedans. I don't know if this applies to others, but I tend to end up with a specific routine with each vehicle. As in, you know where the water collection points are, what areas trap soap and need to be flushed out during the final rinse, drying door jambs a certain way, which exterior surfaces that collect grime, needing a specific brush for the wheels, and so on and so on. Well, on I have washing these cars down to a fine art. If someone was watching me move around an F-series sedan, you'd witnesses something close to auto-pilot.

You need to get some of these for the red car.

Yes I know the state of the wheel wouldn't pass your inspection. In my defence I did a charity event with the club last Sunday which was rainy all day. I wouldn't ordinarily take it out in those conditions, but the club was committed to the event so exceptions have to be made in those circumstances.

 

[D.F.B]

Went shopping at Bunning's (our version of Home Depot) after 6pm last night to beat the usual weekend rush, grabbing some suppliers to make a start on my new project. This included some satin finish external polyurethane. However, the timber shop was closed and what I needed was on the top shelf out of reach, which meant another trip this morning to battle it out with the tradie rush. Anyway, 30-minutes later I had the required sheet of marine plywood.

For what I have in mind, this 2440mm x 1220mm sheet of plywood needs to be split into two 600mm halves, then sliced to 1840mm lengths. While I have a circular saw, I don't have a straight edge long enough and I don't trust my freehand saw skills. I know a cabinet maker who can make these three cuts in 30-seconds..................but he wasn't in his shop today. So, to make use of the time, I decided to sand both sides of the sheet and make a start on applying the polyurethane on the bottom side.



More to come.......................

 

[D.F.B]

Geez this thing cuts nice.





I do wonder if the thinness of the blades helps cut the grass cleaner and finer. The blades shown below are all 18-inch blades, the one of the left is for the Victa 18, the middle one is for a standard 18-inch cut & catch model, and the one on the right is for a MasterCut utility.





It was hard getting an image that clearly shows what I'm talking about here. A rough measurement has the Victa 18 blade at just above 1mm, the other two are just under 3mm. Might not sound a lot, but it's very noticeable in your hands.



Now, having said that, Victa offered three different blades for these mowers, Fine (22 gauge / 0.759mm), Medium (20 gauge / 0.911mm) and Extra Heavy (18 gauge / 1.214mm). Goin off that, I have the Extra Heavy set fitted. Frankly, even these thicker blades are pretty dicey, no wonder they would slice people up.

The following is from the small paper slip with a set of complimentary 'MEDIUM" blades, all in 1950's speak........................

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Victa Owner,

Your Victa Mower is at present fitted with Victa "FINE" blades (22 gauge). Continuous research has proved that these "FINE" blades give fine lawns that velvet finish.

For your particular purpose, you may find greater satisfaction and obtain longer blade life by using the Victa "MEDIUM" blades (20 gauge) as enclosed and which we ask you to accept with our compliments.

"EXTRA HEAVY" blades (18 gauge) are also available from all Victa Agents for use on your Victa when clearing very heavy undergrowth.

Genuine Victa Blades, which are made from specially rolled crinoline spring steel, sell at the one standard price, irrespective of thickness.

Ask your Victa agent for the blades you prefer:

"FINE" - "MEDIUM" - "EXTRA HEAVY"

BUY ONLY GENUINE VICTA SPARES

VICTA MOWERS PTY. LTD.
a division of

VICTA CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRIES PTY. LTD. MILPERRA, NSW.​

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[D.F.B]

Swung by my friends workshop this morning, and with his large panel saw, the plywood was cut to size in no time. Two 1840mm x 600mm sections.



In Year 10 I did a week's work experience with the gentleman above. At the time, I was mad on woodwork and cabinetry, which started in Year 7 woodwork class. Funnily, I started out hating that class, which was mandatory for all Year 7 students and. If I'm honest, it was simply because of a lack of confidence and a high amount of self-consciousness that was holding me back. But................somehow woodwork ended up being one of my favorite classes, of which I carried right through into Year 12. Go figure.

Anyway, I remember on day one of that work experience being set up to apply laminate edge banding on "white board" (melamine). Back then, this was done by hand using a hot iron to activate the adhesive, smoothed over with a cork block, then trimmed with a hand file in a very specific technique, as shown below. Well, being a ball of anxiety, the first stroke of the file was an instant failure, to which I let slip "I fu.ked it up"..................to hysterical laughter from my mentor. I did eventually get the hang of it, I actually enjoyed the task in the end and could probably still do it now.

Of course, there are various methods of applying and trimming edge banding these days, depending on the shop volume and budget. No more "fu.king it up"...................

I had originally planned on making these cuts myself using a circular saw that dates back to my mid-teens, anyone remember GMC tools, basically what Ozito is today. Anyway, I didn't have a long enough straight edge to make a perfect cut, nor did I want to buy one for the mere three cuts I needed it for, then have to store the ****** thing somewhere.



Once cut to size, I cleaned up the plywood edges with the sander, then a final sand of the facing sides. I really love this M18 palm sander, so convenient to use and seems to be quite efficient in terms of power usage/battery life.

MILWAUKEE 18V 125mm Random Orbital Sander Skin M18BOS125-0 | Total Tools



It was then out with the paint brush to continue applying the polyurethane.



Once I have the painting done, one piece of the plywood will provide a sturdier surface for my work bench, the existing sheet metal panels are just too thin and end up clanging as the deforming under weight. The second will become a backing piece for a unique splash back I have in mind.

IMG_4684 by D B, on Flickr

 

[D.F.B]

Utes are useless: They may be popular but modern utes such as the Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Triton, Ford Ranger and BYD Shark 6 seem less practical than ever before​

Utes are useless: They may be popular but modern utes such as the Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max, Mitsubishi Triton, Ford Ranger and BYD Shark 6 seem less practical than ever before | Opinion - Car News

I tried it lengthways, sideways and even on the diagonal, but despite my best efforts the box holding my new desk wouldn’t fit in the back of the Mitsubishi Triton.

www.carsguide.com.au

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I've been saying this for years. What is the point of a work vehicle that can't actually be used for work purposes. So much so they end up towing the tools and materials on a trailer because they tray is virtually useless.

But.................how else do the tradies show off on the jobsite without an overweight, over styled dual cab with mud plugger tyres and a roof rack that never gets used. Oh, but some people say that these vehicles can double as a family vehicle on the weekends so that dadda can take Quinten to football practice twice a year, or go camping once a year. Meanwhile, you end up with a vehicle that is virtually useless for the remaining 363 days of the year.

Meanwhile, my "Ute" is not useless...........................







Actually, these body-on-frame four door's are NOT Utes, they are pickups.

 

[D.F.B]

Feel like I'm making progress now!

Yesterday I was waiting for a second coat of polyurethane to dry, so today I got around to installing the plywood pieces. First, after being squared up, pre-drilled and countersunk, the bench top section was secured to the metal frame. I love how that Surge Impact can be used to drive drill bits as well as driving home fasteners. And because of the hydraulic gearset, its super smooth doing it, none of the typical noise and vibration from a conventional impact driver.



For the backsplash, this piece tucks slightly behind the bench and was secured directly to the concrete wall. After applying some adhesive, I actually had to prop it up from underneath to hold the board in place while I pre-drilled and countersunk the plywood, then plunged through with the SDS drill into the concrete, then used tapcons to hold it in place. You can wind in tapcons with an impact, but they are easy to strip, so I used a 1/4-inch socket wrench to play it safe.

After vacuuming up all the concrete dust, I went over the worktop with 320-grit sandpaper to level down the finish, ready for another layer of polyurethane.



At this point, looking at what I had just done, I was wondering if the planned next step was something I still wanted to do? But, while it looked clean, I felt it also lacks character, so I decided to follow my heart and took the plunge......................

As always, the Ranger proves its worth in being an excellent work bench.



A lot of additional work, but hopefully it achieves the look I'm going for. I've also ordered some shelves to break up the backsplash.

 

[kmcteer]

Oh breaking down pallets is a tough job... Work bench looks good. P.S. thanks for all the detailing tips and product reviews!

-Kelly

 

[D.F.B]

Back into it this morning, determined to get the bulk of the bench project done today!

Yesterday I broke down several pallets, sorting them into size and finish. These will be used to clad backsplash, the idea being to add some "character" while still having a "finished" look. So, I then sanded down the boards, removing any splinters, rough sections and rounding over the edges. Now, after messing with pallets last year, I discovered its best to strip down more than you need, that way you can pick and choose what boards you want to use or will be happy with.

Last night I plotted out a pattern for the boards. Quite often with this sort of effect, the boards will be randomly arranged at varying lengths........................but I'm too regimented for that and wanted to have some uniformity. So, alternating layers consisting of two 920mm smooth boards and three 613mm boards in a rougher finish.

Screenshot (355) by D B, on Flickr

With the prep done, it was time for some saw work. This is where having plenty of boards broken down comes in handy, allowing you work around imperfections and select enough of each finish.

IMG_4752 by D B, on Flickr

After a quick layout check, I went ahead measuring and pre-drilling pilot holes in each board. Again, from experience, this timber can be prone to splitting, so pre-drilling helps prevent this. It was then time for fun part..................have I mentioned how much I love the Milwaukee M18 Surge?

IMG_4757 by D B, on Flickr

With the boards secured, time for paint......................

IMG_4758 by D B, on Flickr

The finish will lose some of the sheen once the polyurethan has dried. I also sanded and applied another layer to the worktop, and tomorrow I will apply another to the backsplash.

IMG_4766 by D B, on Flickr

IMG_4762 by D B, on Flickr

IMG_4768 by D B, on Flickr

Very pleased with how the backsplash turned out. Once the paint has dried, I will attach a couple of shelves for aerosol cans such as carb spray and WD40. I'm also on the hunt for a vice.

A simple task, but it's been nice working with timber again.

 

[D.F.B]

Oh breaking down pallets is a tough job... Work bench looks good. P.S. thanks for all the detailing tips and product reviews!

-Kelly

Having done this last year making display boxes for the nursery, a pallet breaker is mandatory. You still have to remove the nails with a hammer or pincers, but the breaker makes it considerably easier to lift and remove the boards with less risk of damage.

VEVOR Pallet Buster, 50'' Carbon Steel Handle Wrecking Pry Bar, 2000 lbs Weight Capacity, Heavy Duty Deck Board Removal Tool, Multipurpose Demolition Bar for Flooring, Framing, Roofing, Trim, Drywall | VEVOR AU

VEVOR Pallet Buster with a 50" carbon steel handle, 2000 lbs capacity, curved tip, and built-in nail puller for fast, effortless board removal and less back strain.

www.vevor.com.au

Pallet Buster, 50'' Carbon Steel Handle Pallet Breaker, 2000 lbs Weight Capacity | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Pallet Buster, 50'' Carbon Steel Handle Pallet Breaker, 2000 lbs Weight Capacity at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Amazon.com : pallet breaker

1palletbreaker by D B, on Flickr

2palletbreaker2 by D B, on Flickr

pb1 by D B, on Flickr

pb2 by D B, on Flickr

 

[ajohno]

Looking good mate.

 

[D.F.B]

Looking good mate.

Thanks! I'm not sure what I enjoy most about projects, the planning and sourcing of all the bits and pieces, putting the planning into action, or the finished result. Probably the decision making that goes into the planning and purchasing side.

 

[littlebean]

Looking good mate.

seconded - most impressed

 

[D.F.B]

Despite having the saw set up out in the driveway yesterday, the Falcon got showered with a layer of sawdust. In hindsight, I probably should have moved it out of the garage, but then I wouldn't have had something to do today!



Soap of choice today was NV Snow.

Snow | pH-Neutral Foaming Shampoo – Nv Car Care USA
Nv Snow | Foaming Car Shampoo – Parks Car Care

Nv SNOW | pH Neutral Wash | Waxit – Waxit Car Care

If I had to name my absolute favorite soap, the response would be a very quick Carpro Reset. But you certainly pay for Reset's top drawer user experience. However, when you throw purchase price into the equation, the balance shifts towards NV Snow for the following reasons......................

- The consistency of the soap is thin, so it's easy to pour, just like Reset.

- A unique but subtle fragrance..............also like Reset. Both differ from the usual berry or bubblegum scents used in most soaps.

- The foaming ability is seriously impressive, producing slightly thicker foam compared to Reset.

- Slickness is exceptional, not quite Reset slick, but not far off. If Reset was 10/10, Snow would be 9.5/10.

- Free rinsing, like Reset.

- Excellent cleaning ability, if not more so than Reset.

- Snow is significantly more cost effective in the 4-litre size.

AUD
SIZE	NV Snow	Carpro Reset
500ml	$21.95	$24.95
1-litre	$33.95	$39.95
4-litre	$78.50	$129.95

USD
SIZE	NV Snow	Carpro Reset
500ml	$15.99	$15.99
1-litre	$22.99	$26.99
4-litre	$64.99	$89.99

After the wash, ADS Amplify was used for drying aid duties (paint, engine bay, door jambs and wheels), OG Tire Dressing on the rubber, ADS Pilot for the interior. On this occasion, I also had to get after the interior glass. For this, I went with Carpro Eraser to hopefully deal with the light film that had built up. After the detail, the XR6 swapped place with the Mustang and then covered up.

I've been using the Falcon as my daily over the last two weeks, which after a short acclimatization, has been so nice due to the comfortable seats, decent ride quality and that smooth, torque rich engine. Despite the 8-year age difference, jumping back in the Ranger is such a downgrade in drivability. Just the other week, I nearly got t-boned due to the horrendous turbo/throttle lag in the Ranger, how Ford signed off on the 2.2's calibration beggars belief! Apparently the 6-speed automatic is even worse.

Speaking of the Ranger, due to it doubling as a sawhorse, it too has that layer of sawdust. However, the workhorse will have to wait until after my mowing run next week for a wash.

 

[D.F.B]

First use of the new workbench, a backdrop for images.



In this case, I'm show casing a couple of specific Stihl tools, which are designed to allow adjustment to the carburetor tuning screws, bypassing the limiter caps.

STIHL Carburettor Limiter Cap Special Tool. # 5910 890 4500 | Outbushman
STIHL Genuine Octagonal Carburettor Adjustment Driver # 5910 890 2314 | Outbushman





Also included was a bottle of Stihl press fluid, which is designed to make installing gromets, fuel lines and filters easier. I learnt about this via the video below (from the 43-min mark), the idea of using this over oil is that press fluid evaporates away and prevents the fitting from popping off.

Stihl MS362 Chainsaw! HARD TO START! Let's Find Out WHY! - YouTube

STIHL Genuine OELHELD Press Fluid for AV Buffer / Fuel / Oil Line Fitment etc... | Outbushman



I also decided to give this foam air filter oil a try. Normally, I'd just use 30 weight oil, but its a messy job. This would be useful for old 3.5 - 4.0hp side-valve Briggs engines, as well as the newer entry level OHV Briggs with the primer bulb (300E, 450E and 500E) which have oil-soaked foam filters.

LUBE ASSIST Spray Air Filter Oil For Flock and Foam Air Filters in All Machinery | Outbushman





The backdrop is exactly the look I was aiming for! I'll probably need some supplement lighting though, which I'm thinking of fitting rechargeable under cabinet lights, mounted underneath the backsplash storage shelves.

 

[D.F.B]

Out for an early evening gallop...............................

 

[ajohno]

Car looks great mate.

 

[hewey]

Bench project looks great, nice work. I agree on the twincab ute thing, lots of compromise as a family vehicle, and lots of compromise in terms of tray length too. But it feels with the demise of new Commodores and Falcons, most of that ownership has stepped into twincab utes and SUVs - but let's face it, the market was going in this direction already. I can't see anything changing anytime soon around that.

 

[D.F.B]

Bench project looks great, nice work. I agree on the twincab ute thing, lots of compromise as a family vehicle, and lots of compromise in terms of tray length too. But it feels with the demise of new Commodores and Falcons, most of that ownership has stepped into twincab utes and SUVs - but let's face it, the market was going in this direction already. I can't see anything changing anytime soon around that.

I just wish one of the remaining four (Mitsubishi, Toyota, Holden and Ford) had moved in another direction, you know something other than a large sedan. If there was some diversity in the mix, there might have been a chance we'd still have a car industry.

Granted, Ford did have the Territory, and it was so successful that it probably extended the Falcon's life span beyond 2008. Toyota probably should have switched to Rav-4 instead flogging the Camry, which were being dumped into fleets at a loss and not all that profitable as an export. The Aureon was a complete waste of time and resources, they should have spent that on a different model like Rav-4 or even Kluger.

I'm told when Mitsubishi retooled the Tonsley Park plant in the mid 2000's, it was then capable of building anything in the Mitsubishi catalog. So what did they do? Produce another large sedan into a segment rapidly declining. They should have build Outlander and Lancer. The counter argument to that would be the cost of changing models. But the 380 sedan was essentially an all-new model with a new method of construction (what they called Toy-Tabs), and the factory had to be retooled anyway.

Holden did try by producing the Cruze, but it was a terrible vehicle plagued with problems before AND after local production. In the end, they discounted the hell out of them to move them off the lots. The VE and VF Commodore's were nice vehicles, and I think they could have continued as some sort of "heritage" model, sort of like Toyota do with the 70-series or Mercedes with the G-Wagon. Then build an medium or large SUV, or even the dreaded dual cabs.

Ford? I 100% believe they should have campaigned to put Ranger in the Broadmeadows factory. Look at the volume that does now, and its often been supply limited out of Thailand. They would have had a rich and continuous line of sales to fleets, government and local government vehicle fleets, while also commanding a price premium over what they were flogging Falcon's for. Sadly, Bob Graziano was never sent here to ensure the continuation of Ford in the country, he was sent here to shut it down. He left Ford shortly after. While I hated him for a long time, I actually feel sorry for what he had to do, he was the sacrificial lamb who finally put the nail in the coffin. Many US Ford executives were sent here to do that job, but every time they became enamored by the talented local team. I always got the impression that Ford head office actively plotted against Ford Australia, seeing it as a distraction. When the rich stream of money from the government stopped, there was no valid reason to keep making cars here.

While it's been so nice to see Ford Australia continue in product development in Australia, I'm told that is on borrowed time. Once again, Detroit wants to take Ranger development back to the US. They will quickly discover that they can't match the price on what the Aussie team did on a small budget.

But what would I know. I only did my bit buying locally made cars, then locally developed cars.

 

[D.F.B]

The Commando went on to a new owner today, which brings the mower count back down to eleven.





Purchases on January 5th 2019, it earned its keep in terms of generated income, but also as a learning tool. I figured out how the governor works in these Powertorque engines, as well as the starter arrangement, crankshaft layout and the various o-rings needed to keep the engine airtight and therefore pumping fuel correctly. It also caused me to tear my hair out numerous times due to its Diva tendencies.



With it working properly again, I felt like it was time to move it on.

Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for the two unicorns to pop up for sale, the Victa Twin and Victa Razor.

 

[D.F.B]

Last year, I got swept up in the hype surrounding Bilt Hamber Trace-less, touted as THE best glass cleaner ever made. As soon as it landed locally, I jumped in with my order and was keen to try it out. But I quickly found something just wasn’t right……………………..

My assessment presented late last year -

I really, really don’t want to put this here, but……………………….I just couldn’t ignore the elephant in the room………………….this stuff DOES leave traces behind. My initial use of this product was impressive, it evaporates almost instantly, making glass cleaning seemingly simple. But I was noticing streaks left behind after use. I continued trying it using different methods but kept getting the same problem………………ghosting and streaking. The problem here is the product flashes far too quickly in this climate, meaning it doesn’t actually absorb properly into the towel to remove what you are trying to clean away. I suspect this product would be fine in the winter, or in its natural UK environment. I bought a gallon of this stuff……………….all virtually useless.



Everything I had read regarding Trace-less had been positive, so perhaps it was just me struggling to make it work? For that reason, I kept my views on Trace-less quiet, wondering if others would come forward. Then a few days ago, after reading yet another glowing review, I came forward and presented my case. And suddenly others came out of the woodwork noting their struggles with ghosting and streaky residue being left behind. So, it wasn’t just me.

Thing is, I’m not saying Trace-less is a terrible product……………………..but I am saying its not universally brilliant like some would have you believe. In the right conditions, no doubt it works very well. But not for me, and not for many others. The whole point of a glass cleaner is to provide a streak free result, having to go back in with a far cheaper glass cleaner to produce the desired result is counterproductive. Trace-less is nice for cleaning stainless steel and kitchen benches though.

So, a premium product being shown up by a product sold at the major automotive retailers for under $20. In that regard, I can recommend Stoner's Invisible Glass.

 

[D.F.B]

Autumn, the best season for garage pottering!

I couldn't take it anymore, the Ranger just HAD to be washed. And yes, there was some mud to be dealt with....................





Today's theme was using up some odd-bod products. Soap of choice was P&S Wide Open, which was used for the wheels, a pre-wash and the contact wash. Drying Aid was 3D Bead It Up, which smells so nice. Moving to the inside, DIY Interior Clean & Protect took care of wipe-down duties. Gyeon Tire Express was the finishing touch, a product that never really won me over.



I then made a start on changing the crappy perforated drawer liners that come with these Maxim cabinets, swapping to a more stable solid non-slip material.

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0DDHJWVNY?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[D.F.B]

Spent my day pottering again, getting a chance to use my new bench rebuilding an old Briggs Vacu-Jet carburetor. And after a late delivery, I went back out to install two shelves on the backsplash.





I had ordered two different shelf styles, of which the first arrived last week but I wanted to see both before deciding which to use. In the end, the longer ones shown above suited better, the other type is magnetic and will get used within my cabinets to store/organize vacuum attachments and other bits and pieces.

heavy duty magnetic spray holder wall mounted garage - Temu Australia

Uandhome 4 Pack Magnetic Spice Rack for Refrigerator,Magnetic Fridge Organizer,Fridge Condiment Rack for Refrigerators, Metal Side Fridge Storage Rack, Space Saving Kitchen Organization (Black) : Amazon.com.au: Kitchen & Dining



I then installed some rechargeable LED undercabinet lights to both shelves. I'm also waiting for another shelf to install in the middle of the backsplash, which will also get one of these lights.

WILLED Motion Sensor Light Indoor, Battery Display, 60 LED Touch Light Bar, Under Cabinet Lights Rechargeable, Battery Operated Closet Light Wireless, Stick on Under Counter Lights for Kitchen(4 Pack) : Amazon.com.au: Lighting







It might be a work bench, but I still want to keep it nice, hence the rubber mat.

TEHAUX Silicone Electronics Repair Mat, Anti-static Table Mat Electronics Repair Station Pad Silicone Soldering Mat Electronics Repair Pad Black Desk Mat for Soldering, Electronics : Amazon.com.au: Home Improvement

 

[D.F.B]

Ford unveiled the new Ranger Super-Duty today on Ford 100th Anniversary in Australia.

https://www.ford.com.au/showroom/trucks-and-vans/ranger/super-duty/

And joy or joys, they made the decision to include the single cab chassis! Standard engine is the 3.0 Powerstroke V6 diesel with the 10-speed auto...............................with the Landcruiser 70-series no longer available with the V8 diesel and only a underpowered 2.8 4-cylinder, who would buy the ancient Landcruiser now?

 

[D.F.B]

I might be highly critical of some of the decisions made by the company over the years, but that just means I care about the brand and their success. 100 years ago today, Ford started assembling Model T's in Australia, and 100 years later they are still here and still leading the market. Last month the Australian designed and engineered Ranger was at number one position, and they finished second to Toyota for total sales....................which is remarkable considering the bulk of Ford's sales come from Ranger, Everest and Mustang.

For a brand to last up to and beyond 100 years is rare and worth acknowledgement. It still cuts me deep that we no longer make Ford's, or any cars in this country, but that's a complicated and deeply controversial story on its own. Ford do still employ a large development team, run a large proving ground and have their own design center. When GM and Toyota closed shop, its similar facilities were shuttered, and GM went on to kill the Holden brand entirely. A changing market waits for no one, Ford adapted, GM-H took too long to adapt and ultimately failed.

 

[Geoff289]

I might be highly critical of some of the decisions made by the company over the years, but that just means I care about the brand and their success. 100 years ago today, Ford started assembling Model T's in Australia, and 100 years later they are still here and still leading the market. Last month the Australian designed and engineered Ranger was at number one position, and they finished second to Toyota for total sales....................which is remarkable considering the bulk of Ford's sales come from Ranger, Everest and Mustang.

For a brand to last up to and beyond 100 years is rare and worth acknowledgement. It still cuts me deep that we no longer make Ford's, or any cars in this country, but that's a complicated and deeply controversial story on its own. Ford do still employ a large development team, run a large proving ground and have their own design center. When GM and Toyota closed shop, its similar facilities were shuttered, and GM went on to kill the Holden brand entirely. A changing market waits for no one, Ford adapted, GM-H took too long to adapt and ultimately failed

About a year before it closed I spent a day at the Ford Discovery Centre down at Geelong. A great day out for guys like us with Ford corporate blue blood.

 

[D.F.B]

About a year before it closed I spent a day at the Ford Discovery Centre down at Geelong. A great day out for guys like us with Ford corporate blue blood.

Toured the Discovery Centre many times, great place to learn and see some unique prototypes. I have plenty of photos of this if anyone is interested.

I also toured the Broadmeadows factory in 2003, back when the factory was running at 110% trying to keep up with demand for the new BA Falcon. Ford killed factory tours in the final years.

I took the following images in February 2011 while visiting the FPV open day. As you can see, 1000's of cars parked on grass right out to the boundary fences with nowhere to be. For anyone who has been to or driven past the factory, they had a massive paved parking pad for completed vehicles behind the factory. That was FULL as well as any bare space around the factory. It was a horrible sight to see because I knew the implications of that. I think this was the moment I knew Falcon was on borrowed time.











As mentioned, this was 2011 but they still had the 2010 Falcon's 50th Anniversary banners up.

 

[D.F.B]

Unexpected rinse-less wash on the XR6 this morning. Yesterday I had to move it out from under its cover to allow access for a delivery, which ended up getting too dusty to re-cover without a wash. Technically, a water-less wash would have been sufficient, but I much prefer rinse-less. Hero to the rescue.....................



The car hadn't been driven, so there was no need to address the wheels, tyres or interior. After drying, I went over the glass with Stoner's, then put the cover back on. Job done!

I then continued with fettling shelves and drawers. I've decided not to leave the parts washer set up on the workbench, even with fluid, it's light enough to move it around when needed. So, that meant shuffling some space to store my chainsaws on top of the shelving unit, making room for the parts washer to sit under the workbench.



You know how it is when on a roll, so I ended up re-organizing my garden/parts cabinet as well. This is where I used the surplus magnetic shelves I had ordered for the work bench.

Uandhome 4 Pack Magnetic Spice Rack for Refrigerator,Magnetic Fridge Organizer,Fridge Condiment Rack for Refrigerators, Metal Side Fridge Storage Rack, Space Saving Kitchen Organization (Black) : Amazon.com.au: Kitchen & Dining



Next, I continued re-lining certain detailing and tool drawers, making organizational improvements as I went.



















Some of these jobs have been on the to-do list since the middle of last year. Before the Mustang and my long-service leave arrived last October, I had plotted out an extensive list of projects and jobs to be done while I had the time. Naturally, a lot of that list centered around the cars arrival, hence it being priority ONE! And I effectively lost a month to surgical recovery. So, finally getting around to projects that were long ago planned is very satisfying.

I now have a new list, which has already begun. On that list, a full detail and coating of my Dad's Wildtrak is well overdue. I also need to finish off work on the Stihl BG55. And I've had a request for timber planter boxes. Always something to do........................

 

[D.F.B]

Mustang's turn, and for some reason, I just didn't feel like playing with foam today. However, I still wanted something more than a rinse-less to properly flush out the door jambs and address the wheels. So, I did a bit of a "hybrid" wash.

Starting with the wheels, Carpro Reset went in the wheel bucket and Brake Buster for the tyres. Despite not using the foam cannon, I still used the pressure washer for rinsing. Atom Mac went on the rotor after finishing each wheel.



With the pressure washer hose still out, I gave the Mustang a good rinse, in turn flushing out the jambs, windscreen scuttle and grills.



For the wash, I went with ADS Hero. With this car wearing an ADS coating, Hero plays exceptionally well here. Despite rinsing beforehand, I still went around with a pre-soak using a slightly richer dilution to account for the water already on the surface of the vehicle.





On the XR6 yesterday, I used the TRC Ultra Black Sponge, but today I went with multiple TRC Eagle 500's.



I've been using the EGO after rinse-less washes to blast water and solution out of the panel gaps, grills and windscreen scuttle. This helps reduce some of towel work when drying.



I recently picked up a bottle of this Stoner Invisible Glass Hybrid Ceramic glass cleaner, which is a newer version of their Clean & Repel. On first acquaintance, it seems to be very easy to use and doesn't require special technique to get a clear result from..............cough, ClarifyPhobic, cough, Trace-less.

Invisible Glass Hybrid Ceramic 473ml - 92183 - Windscreen & Glass Cleaner | Repco Australia
Invisible Glass Rain Repellent - 643mL | Supercheap Auto

Interesting to note Stoner Car Care now have an official website and store in Australia, previously only a very limited selection of products from the brand were sold via auto stores and detailing retailers.

Australia Stoner





Again, it was such a nice day to be outside, so after finishing the Mustang I decided to make the most of it and took my best friend for a walk along the river.

 

[ajohno]

The Ford factory was something I would love to visit but never happened. If you have more photos I would like to see them.

 

[Mark_17]

Ford unveiled the new Ranger Super-Duty today on Ford 100th Anniversary in Australia.

https://www.ford.com.au/showroom/trucks-and-vans/ranger/super-duty/

And joy or joys, they made the decision to include the single cab chassis! Standard engine is the 3.0 Powerstroke V6 diesel with the 10-speed auto...............................with the Landcruiser 70-series no longer available with the V8 diesel and only a underpowered 2.8 4-cylinder, who would buy the ancient Landcruiser now?

I'm very jealous of the markets getting this.

I have a GMC canyon with the 2.8 duramax and I love it. I have 99k miles and have been looking out for what is next. Sadly none of the small trucks in the US are available with the diesel anymore.

 

[D.F.B]

The Ford factory was something I would love to visit but never happened. If you have more photos I would like to see them.

Sadly, I don't have images of inside the Broadmeadows factory, cameras weren't allowed due to employee privacy. This was also before everyone having a camera in their pocket, ie phone. If I could have taken photos, I would have!

I do have several years' worth of FPV Open Days, Ford Discovery Centre and the 2016 event held by Wheels Magazine and Ford Australia, which was an invite-only event for Falcon fans to celebrate the end of production. Leave it with me and I'll roll it out from start to finish.

 

[D.F.B]

FPV Open Days -

The FPV Open Day was something I always looked forward to attending, often held in March each year. As a young Ford nut, this was almost the Holy Grail, only bettered by visiting the Broadmeadows assembly plant across the road, something I was fortunate enough to do at the height of the BA Falcon days.

For those reading from outside of Australia/New Zealand, Tickford was set up in the early 90's as a performance car division of Ford Australia. It was a 51%/49% joint venture with British firm Tickford Engineering. Initially, it was intended to inject some passion and performance back into the Falcon lineup, which spurred the XR6 and XR8 models, and later two special edition Falcon GT's. Vehicles would be delivered to Tickford 90% completed and would then get their unique wheels, body enhancements and other Tickford/XR finishing touched added. To boost the volume, Tickford were also contracted to provide factory-backed LPG (propane) dual fuel systems, installing sunroofs and other factory options.





In addition to the XR models, Tickford launched the FTE (Ford Tickford Experience) sub-brand, which would sell an even higher spec of luxury/performance models. These T-Series models had specific hand built engines, higher spec suspension tuning, better brakes and unique styling to provide a difference to the Ford branded XR models. Sales of T-Series were slow, they just didn't have the visual punch to take on the Holden equivalent. The response was to build the T3 T-Series, which upped the visual muscle and included a 5.6 stroker Windsor V8..........................this would be the beginning of what was to come.







At the end of 2002, Tickford was rebranded to FPV (Ford Performance Vehicles) to better compete with the Holden equivalent HSV. In addition to newel named performance division (think BMW M or Mercedes AMG), a new race team was setup to compliment the road car division, FPR or Ford Performance Racing. This was when Pro-Drive took over the ownership of Tickford, although the Ford/Prodrive relationship carried on as before.

In addition to the new branding, it also heralded the return of the mighty Falcon GT. Actually, these cars were never branded "Falcon", there were called the FPV GT. This also signified Ford taking control over XR models, leaving FPV to look after the top spec performance cars. Again, think of this like Audi S4 vs Audi RS4.







The Tickford / FPV facility was situated on Glenbarry road in Campbellfield and as mentioned, literally across the road from the Ford Broadmeadows assembly plant. The business was spread across two sites, the main facility housed the workshop, storage and office spaces. The building on the other side of the road was dedicated to engine building, inventory storage and was even used for converting Mustang Cobra's into RHD for the Australian market. Later, the FPR race workshop opened alongside the engine facility, which was also open to be toured through.





These open days allowed fans of the brand to attend and access the factories where the cars were made. Often, FPV staff and the current race drivers would be circulating to talk and answer questions. The events were open to all comers, including the various car clubs.



The open days continued for many years, ending when Ford bought out Pro-Drive's stake in the business and moved the operations in house at either Geelong or Broadmeadows.

On a personal note, I first attended the FPV open day in the early 2000's at a very impressionable age. Going to these days only cemented my passion for the brand. I remember looking at all these cars and wishing I had one myself or that my dad was into cars as much as I was.

It only dawned on me a few years ago that I ended up joining the party, going on to own some really cool Fords of my own, in the process becoming the person I aspired to be. And that was the whole point of these customer days, they were brand building exercises. I wonder how many other young boys went on to buy high-performance Ford's after being infected by the bug at these days like I did?

The following posts will feature the photo's I took on those open days.

 

[D.F.B]

These images are from the 2005 event -



































For some reason, Ford had one of these GT40's in the country for evaluation. No idea why, it was never sold here but did get used for promotion. I have to say, the car was stunning in person!







































This entry level Futura was there for a sunroof installation, like the XR6 behind it.

 

[ajohno]

Great photos mate. Thanks for sharing.

 

[D.F.B]

Next in line are images from the 2006 open day -



























The FPV open day was the ONLY place I would ever see T1 and T2 T-Series -



















I just wish I could see the number plate for this TS50, I have a strong feeling this is the one I would go on to buy 6 years later.

 

[Geoff289]

Great pics, thanks for this trip down memory lane.

 

[D.F.B]

2006 Continued....................................



Box fresh Brembo's, yum!







Fairly sure these Territory's were South Africa bound -







Sunroof installation line. This is where all factory optioned sunroofs were installed, Ford did not stamp specific roof panels for this so were cut-n-shut at FPV. Every LTD from this era would go through the FPV workshop.

















In the above image, take note how one side has a Brembo caliper, the other with a basic twin-piston sliding caliper and rotor fitted. The cars were delivered from the Ford factory with "slave" wheels and calipers fitted, they were then swapped for the correct spec items and the slaves sent back across the road for the next batch of FPV's.

 

[D.F.B]

Next, these are from the 2007 open day, only a few photo's from that year.

Someone had good taste, Force 8 in Ego with the Regency Red interior.





Got to be intrigued by this one, pretty rare for a customer to order a Falcon XT with a sunroof.

















The lack of engines stored on this day was a bit unusual, I guess many were holding off for the FG.