Cheap things to do to your car

Dave L · 03-23-2009, 07:08 PM

I am cheap but my wife is also going to be going back to school in the fall so this just gives me more reason to keep myself entertained for cheap

ANYWAYS

Post your cheap easy little things you have done to your car

Dave L · 03-23-2009, 07:13 PM

First up - Painted Center Caps

This was my first attempt using paint markers. I think they turned out okay but I might try to touch them up a little still then clear coat them. They are caps for track wheels so it was a good test.

Cost was about $10 for gold, red and black paint markers from an art store.

Dave L · 07:20 PM

Second - Cupholder

I did this last year and used the cupholder quite a bit and its nicely out of the way when not in use. My only complaint is that its a bit of a reach.

944 cup holder - how to

The cupholder is mounted on the passenger side. It is on the drivers side just for testing fitment.

This one cost about $6

exitwound · exitwound's Garage

Yeah my centre caps were all blemished and aged. I went from whatever the stock color was to solid black. Though after seeing yours, I'm wondering if I should paint the logos in the middle the way you did...

jhora · 03-23-2009, 07:55 PM

Dave L....that is damn nice work buddy!

96740 · 96740's Garage

I've done this to every car I've owned for the past 15 years. Replacing the stock light bulbs with "Hyper White" style bulbs. Here I have just replaced the stock back-up (1156) bulbs on the 993 with PIAA EXTREME bulbs and I wish I'd have taken before and after shots, but trust me...what a difference. Not just the better looks. The Illumination is much better.

This can be done to most of the bulbs on the car. It's one of those cheap feel good upgrades.

Reverse lights:

Headlights:
Before

After

Dave L · 03-23-2009, 08:19 PM

cool, I imagine the head lights on my car are ancient and headlights DO dim over time.

Here is another one I remembered and did last year.

ARM REST RECOVER

Consol Recovering

TX968 · 03-23-2009, 08:32 PM

I turned the ashtray into a cell phone holder. Several people said they use the cubby under their radio, but I use bluetooth and when it cycles it interferes with the radio.

Thanks,
rlt

Dave L · 03-23-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX968

I turned the ashtray into a cell phone holder. Several people said they use the cubby under their radio, but I use bluetooth and when it cycles it interferes with the radio.

Thanks,
rlt

any pictures?

carlege · 03-23-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96740

I've done this to every car I've owned for the past 15 years. Replacing the stock light bulbs with "Hyper White" style bulbs. Here I have just replaced the stock back-up (1156) bulbs on the 993 with PIAA EXTREME bulbs and I wish I'd have taken before and after shots, but trust me...what a difference. Not just the better looks. The Illumination is much better.

This can be done to most of the bulbs on the car. It's one of those cheap feel good upgrades.

Reverse lights:

Headlights:
Before

After

Is this just plug and play with the bulbs?

Arizona_928 · 03-23-2009, 09:43 PM

I know someone makes a aftermarket wiring harness for running those bulbs, but idk if it really help. IMNO

ransoman · 03-24-2009, 10:08 AM

At this time, nothing on the 944 is going to be cheap, although i replaced several "mouse eaten" vacuum pipes for nothing. I stripped "compatible" pipes from a few Mercedes and Golfs (even a mitsubishi) at a local scrap yard and the owner let me take them for free. I am pretty sure this contributed to the perfect ideling of the 944 that has not been started for 5 years.

The alfa on the otherhand was recently treated to a full set of lightbulbs on the front (a few had blown and the indicators wheren't orange enough). I also repaired a broken seatbelt for the cost of nothing.

nkgosselin · 03-24-2009, 10:29 AM

Flush your brake fluid.
Detail interior and exterior.
Repaint faded black trim, ie doors
Lube/grease hood release, door hinges, sunroof mech, etc
I love new wiper blades.
Install a new radio or speakers if yours is original. Even the cheapest will be better, especially the speakers.
AGLA wheel cover or shifter leather if needed.

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

You dont need to paint that black rubber. Go buy a bottle of Mothers Back to black. $4. Your rubber will thank you.

carlege · 03-24-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ransoman

At this time, nothing on the 944 is going to be cheap, although i replaced several "mouse eaten" vacuum pipes for nothing. I stripped "compatible" pipes from a few Mercedes and Golfs (even a mitsubishi) at a local scrap yard and the owner let me take them for free. I am pretty sure this contributed to the perfect ideling of the 944 that has not been started for 5 years.

The alfa on the otherhand was recently treated to a full set of lightbulbs on the front (a few had blown and the indicators wheren't orange enough). I also repaired a broken seatbelt for the cost of nothing.

Its also a question of how creative you can become with different parts espically with the cosmetics and interior of the car. mechanical is a different issue

96740 · 96740's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlege

Is this just plug and play with the bulbs?

Yes. About as "Modern" looking as you can get without converting to real HID's. I've noticed now that they have LED replacements for common bulbs. A friend of mine at work replaced all of his interior bulbs with LED's and it looks great. I'll see if I can find a linky...

96740 · 96740's Garage

The company is called PUTCO. Here...

http://www.putco.com/product/A001/

carlege · 03-24-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96740

Yes. About as "Modern" looking as you can get without converting to real HID's. I've noticed now that they have LED replacements for common bulbs. A friend of mine at work replaced all of his interior bulbs with LED's and it looks great. I'll see if I can find a linky...

i hear the led lights dont last long at all. So going through the trouble would be a waste. But rebuilng your reflectors on the dash make a world of difference

jmd_forest · 03-24-2009, 06:17 PM

About one of the best and cheap things you can do to your 20+ year old 944 is to replace all the vacuum lines. You can use a combination of generic tubing and then match up the "special" hoses to cheap common hoses by taking the "special" hoses to your local auto parts store. IIRC, one of the "Porche only" vacuum hoses is $90 but I matched it up at the local NAPA for $9 by cutting a few inches off one of their common GM hoses. For less than $50 you should be able to replace every single vacuum hose from tiny to large and long to short, with a little creativity.

jmd_forest

Dave L · 09-29-2009, 12:17 PM

I thought I would bring this thread back as I have another Cheap $10 fix to a common problem.

Like so many others the threading at the seams of my seats were starting to pull away. I left it like this for years with the intent of bringing it in to an upholsterer to repair it. Unable to find a upholsterer and perhaps more importantly no money I set out to fix it myself.

I found a place called Tandy leather that had the curved needles and heavy waxed thread that I wanted to use.

The leather was already fairly brittle so I didnt want to stretch it too much. I actually did rip the tread through the leather in one spot so the stitching is a little looser than what the factory would have done. I might try to tighten it up further after applying some good leather conditioner to try and soften it up more.

Not perfect, but much better that looking at the foam and it should also prevent the seam from splitting any further.

I found instructions here;
http://members.rennlist.com/pshipman/PorscheSeatRepair.pdf

Tandy has locations all over, thier web site:
Tandy Leather Factory - Store Search