right then , sounds as if i have a tapered tap here then, as there is a hole under the tap which would take spring/ball bearing. looking on chambers site at the exploded diagrams i may have a mk3 type then. gonna be tough to find may have to get a picture and make one!!! that'll be fun , keep me busy for a while..thanks
off to halfords tmrw to have a look what paints are available, cheaper option than re-blue