How to lacerate your fingers. Chapter 26, ashtrays
Discussion
Well it might be #24 or #28 for that matter, I’ve lost count. I have found something nasty sharp and lethal to handle in a dozen or so Tiv’s, from raw fibreglass edges (the bits where they hacked it out with a chainsaw at the factory), to rusty metal, sharp trim, shattered bulbs, little springs with a mind of their own, and dodgy spiky wiring. The latest encounter was the ashtrays in my S3, which (perhaps illogically) I thought I would remove/repair before taking the door cards off to sort the hinges and window motors. A previous owner had perhaps had similar thoughts as they were looking a bit askew and grubby.
No idea what kind of Ford they originally came off (part number 86VBV24726-AA), but replacements are available from a well-known supplier – however at around £40 a pair I thought I’d give it a go. Easy peasy eh ? Held in place with a self-tapper I hear you say ? Maybe a push-fit ? No such luck, they were retained (on my car) by a combination of gravity, double sided sticky stuff that looks like extruded Crunchie bars, and a truly LETHAL metal clippy thing with sharp teeth (fitted from the inside before the door cards were hung, evidently) that serves three purposes:
1 To lacerate your fingers
2 To make the ashtray receptacle really really difficult to fit/remove
3 To lacerate your fingers…
Once a bit of leverage had been applied to the housing with the help of a Magnum (not the 45, but a lolly stick) said man-trap thingys were removed with pliers and much cursing. The good news is the hard plastic (Bakelite family ?) sticks brilliantly with super glue, so is an easy repair. Now retained in place with clear glue (not epoxy), and looking just like new again. And I don’t even smoke.
No idea what kind of Ford they originally came off (part number 86VBV24726-AA), but replacements are available from a well-known supplier – however at around £40 a pair I thought I’d give it a go. Easy peasy eh ? Held in place with a self-tapper I hear you say ? Maybe a push-fit ? No such luck, they were retained (on my car) by a combination of gravity, double sided sticky stuff that looks like extruded Crunchie bars, and a truly LETHAL metal clippy thing with sharp teeth (fitted from the inside before the door cards were hung, evidently) that serves three purposes:
1 To lacerate your fingers
2 To make the ashtray receptacle really really difficult to fit/remove
3 To lacerate your fingers…
Once a bit of leverage had been applied to the housing with the help of a Magnum (not the 45, but a lolly stick) said man-trap thingys were removed with pliers and much cursing. The good news is the hard plastic (Bakelite family ?) sticks brilliantly with super glue, so is an easy repair. Now retained in place with clear glue (not epoxy), and looking just like new again. And I don’t even smoke.
Nice job 
Fibreglass resin is a good alternative for sticking plastic and, if there is space behind the item, a thin piece of mat adds strength to the bond.
I've found strands of glass fibre under the the finger nails to be one of the most painful things you can do to yourself on trim jobs.
Fibreglass resin is a good alternative for sticking plastic and, if there is space behind the item, a thin piece of mat adds strength to the bond.
I've found strands of glass fibre under the the finger nails to be one of the most painful things you can do to yourself on trim jobs.
lordofthewings said:
....and as fans of The Eagles will know, you can stab yourself with a steely Stanley knife (or screwdriver) but hopefully not kill the beast.....
Yep, and you can buy into an S any time you like, but you can never leave.... 
Sometimes they just grab you and they won't let go. Don't look if you're feeling a bit snowflakey:
Top Tip No 142:
When fitting the roof panels, do not lean across the seats to push the further hood stay into place.
That's just lazy and you will be punished. Walk around to the other side.
Better still, don't bother putting the roof on in the first place!
Edited by glenrobbo on Monday 28th May 11:19
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