So what have you done with your Aston today? (Vol. 2)
Discussion
The headlights on the DB7 were not looking clean at all. The inside of the glass was marked and lots of dusty bits on the bottom part. To clean them you have to remove the front panel and then the headlights themselves. Once removed you cut through the mastic sealer to separate the plastic rear covers and take them off. This allows access to the double lens units which need to be removed so you can get your hand inside the headlight units.
Getting the front panel off was straightforward as the car was repainted last year so no rusted nuts and bolts. The body shop also helped by leaving several bolts out. Removing the headlights was tricky though. The bolts holding the frame which in turn holds the headlight were all but seized but with care and WD40 they eventually surrendered.
Using a Stanley knife with a new blade, cut through the mastic sealer to allow the 2 rear covers to be dismantled. Took ages to clean the old sealant off them and the headlight. Prised out the lenses and could now clean inside the units. I used a very soft microfibre cloth and Autoglym's Fast Glass and wiped the units inside several times. The difference is amazing and the build up of dust and stains all gone now.
Had to use taps and dies on the captive nuts and bolts so no more seized parts. All will be well greased during reassembly. Where possible I use stainless nuts and bolts to make life easier.
So, one headlamp done and waiting on the sealant curing before refitting. The other unit is completely dismantled ready for cleaning. All the rusty looking bits in the photos have been wire brushed, treated with Hammerite Kurust and painted with Rustoleum satin black. Part 2 tomorrow, hopefully.
Getting the front panel off was straightforward as the car was repainted last year so no rusted nuts and bolts. The body shop also helped by leaving several bolts out. Removing the headlights was tricky though. The bolts holding the frame which in turn holds the headlight were all but seized but with care and WD40 they eventually surrendered.
Using a Stanley knife with a new blade, cut through the mastic sealer to allow the 2 rear covers to be dismantled. Took ages to clean the old sealant off them and the headlight. Prised out the lenses and could now clean inside the units. I used a very soft microfibre cloth and Autoglym's Fast Glass and wiped the units inside several times. The difference is amazing and the build up of dust and stains all gone now.
Had to use taps and dies on the captive nuts and bolts so no more seized parts. All will be well greased during reassembly. Where possible I use stainless nuts and bolts to make life easier.
So, one headlamp done and waiting on the sealant curing before refitting. The other unit is completely dismantled ready for cleaning. All the rusty looking bits in the photos have been wire brushed, treated with Hammerite Kurust and painted with Rustoleum satin black. Part 2 tomorrow, hopefully.
Trahison said:
Bought it! (ok ok, I bought it Saturday). Life goal box ticked. 2006 4.3, only 32k miles.
Nice to "meet" you all.
Beautiful car. I especially like the interior, it makes a refreshing change from black. When I bought my first Aston (& my 2nd & 3rd Nice to "meet" you all.
) I couldn’t stop looking out of the window and grinning. 
. 
![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/zBD2wjco.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/mRCUF3yT" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/mRCUF3yT.jpg)
bignoise said:
Hi which wheels have you got on your Vanquish, Are they DBSS 21inch and are they a straight swap?
Thanks
Vossen 21" - They were brought by the previous owner and the dealer threw them in for free...Thanks
I changed them from the original's last year...no spacers - straight fitment.
Took my V8V to Aston Martin Works for them to fix a cock-up by another dealer's bodyshop and for their trimshop to re-glue some of the passenger airbag cover and "hockey stick" leather on the dash that was starting to lift a bit at the edges. Excellent service (thanks for organising it, Ben), bumper now solid and correctly attached and the trim looks as if new pieces have been fitted.
Had a tour of the facilities, including the classic bodyshop and the building with all the older pre-owned cars. I also happened to be there when Seb Vettels's 2nd place trophy from the F1 GP at Baku turned up as part of its journey round AML's facilities.
The base of the trophy has been signed by Seb. Interestingly, the trophy was actually made by a London company.
Had a tour of the facilities, including the classic bodyshop and the building with all the older pre-owned cars. I also happened to be there when Seb Vettels's 2nd place trophy from the F1 GP at Baku turned up as part of its journey round AML's facilities.
The base of the trophy has been signed by Seb. Interestingly, the trophy was actually made by a London company.
Edited by LTP on Wednesday 23 June 18:41
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