[Leoshashi]

Originally Posted by chiranjitp

Awesome DIY Leoshashi, preventative maintenance like these will make sure that your M800 continues to be in immaculate condition for a long time to come, both cosmetically & mechanically.

Thanks Buddy!

I have a small query regarding painting the silencer. How does the paint hold up in the long run? I am aware that you have used a heat resistant paint, but the silencer does heat up a lot.

It's very resistant to heat and hence lasts easily. Absolutely no issue of paint loss due to heat.

You may refer to the pics of the exhaust above, which came out of the car. It was painted 2-3 years ago when I had put this new exhaust.

Regards,
Shashi

[Leoshashi]

Last set of maintenance on GG: Pictures are self explanatory hence I'll directly proceed with pics.

1. Deep Cleaning of front end, along with some refurbishing. Replaced the Heat exchanger foams, straightened out the fins, and basically the entire engine bay was given a nice clean after removing the bumper.



Cleaned and detailed the bay:



2. Similar treatment was given to the wheel wells, alloys, lights etc. Each part was removed, cleaned, restored and fixed back. :









Look once the basics were done.





This was followed by a regular foam wash and detailing using simple meguiars products:



The metallics:



3. The battery(Amaron Flo) is now nearing 5 year mark. Month of Manufacture is August 2015. While there was no issue, the extended lockdown did give me an opportunity to try regeneration using Bosch C7. Also topped up the battery before recharging to correct levels and left the vent caps open since it gets close to 16V for 4 hours and lots of bubbling happens. It did take quite a bit of distilled water and this should help in extending its life.

Post regeneration, I left the battery idle for some time followed by trickle charging overnight:





While the battery was out, restored the battery holder rods.

Before:



After:



4. Distributor cleaning: The distributor was last attended to months ago. So checked out its condition and except some dust, there was nothing alarming. Cleaned the dust and replaced the gasket to prevent rust ingress:





5. Rusty Fuel pipe panels: These hide the metal fuel lines, and it was never opened in my car. During cleaning, I opened and found some rust as there is no protection on the metal. After removing the rust, treated it with Zinc spray followed by anti rust:







6. Upgraded to 1W number plate LEDs, from older 0.5W. These are much brighter:



Before:



After:



7. Finally found proper dust caps which fit nicely on 800s strut tower. These are from 3rd Gen Swift:





After these, GG was ready for a much needed photo shoot, and it was time for Unlock 1.0!

[Leoshashi]

Time for some fun. BHPian sumitsinha0280 joined me later with his 92 Maruti 800:



































That's all for now.

Regards,
Shashi

[Blow Horn Ok]

The car looks even younger. Great job. GG must be single 800 in the world getting the attention and care which even luxury and sports cars would dream to get from their owners. Keep it up.

[ankitsharma]

You have maintained you car very well dear. I see the engine bay is as good as new. Mine feels like the car is dumped for years in the jungle.

Great detailing overall.

[anshu1101]

Wow! What an impeccably maintained machine. The M800 is without doubt one of the iconic cars, especially given how it democratized car ownership in India. Wish you many more happy miles with your steed!

Regards
Anshu

[ask_017]

Absolutely loved it sir. We have a 1998 one with us in Phoenix Red. Going through your writings has made me realize how badly we have kept our little 800. Well this is motivation for sure to keep hold of her for longer.

[Shreyfiesta]

Originally Posted by ask_017

Absolutely loved it sir. We have a 1998 one with us in Phoenix Red. Going through your writings has made me realize how badly we have kept our little 800. Well this is motivation for sure to keep hold of her for longer.

Kindly upload some pictures of your 1998 beauty.

Would love to see them!

[utkarshshukla92]

I am gonna share this thread with my mother. She believes his son is mad as he is cleaning motorcycles every Weekend and buying shampoo, wax, chain lube, and whatnot.

Coming back to GG, I am sure this is the most loved 800 ever. Engine bay looks as if GG has just rolled out of the showroom. The level of attention and detail is amazing. Not everyone can do it.

Wishing you loads of happy kms on GG,

[ask_017]

Originally Posted by Shreyfiesta

Kindly upload some pictures of your 1998 beauty.

Would love to see them!

Sure. It is currently at my parents place. Will click a few snaps when I visit next and post.

[Stribog]

In a forum with car maniacs like us, basic condition of cars is not even a question, it starts with impeccable but sir, your car blew me away! I mean even showroom fresh cars won't be this brilliantly maintained.

Loved this thread (haven't seen this before, just popped up on my feed), good and fun reading.

[bharatmarch]

Cleaning every single part requires immense knowledge, patience and selfless love towards your car, and Shashi, youare the epitome of these 3 traits. I read your thread every day without fail. A big fan of you and GG .

[Rustom Mistry]

Absolute awesome kept car. And really inspiring too.Wishing you many more happy miles.

[landcruiser123]

Hi Leoshashi,
This is a thread I've been following for a while now and I love your dedication for maintaining the M800. My father got a maroon example when I was three in 1998. Owning a car was a privilege back in the day and it was near my heart as I grew up. I wish to own one of these once I'm back in India.

Originally Posted by Leoshashi

Last set of maintenance on GG:

Why Last? Are you going to shift to a new project car?

[V.Narayan]

Leoshashi has looked after his car with such love and car(e) and real technical knowledge that I expect this golden car to be up there on the prize winning stand of national vintage car shows in 2050. This is pure car love at its best. Leoshashi, I hope you will still be the owner in 2050. It isnt that difficult. Thanks at least in small part to my encouragement my grandfather remained the sole owner of an Opel 6-cylinder 1936 model from purchase in 1936 till his passing away in 1998. Sadly my uncle in all innocence sold her, without consulting me, 17 or 18 years ago in the one and only year I was based out of India on business. :-(