billybunters - from a bmw z4 to a mx5 se

[billybunter]

thanks for the compliments on the paint job. it always annoyed me years back the mgf got the better paint job don't know why ...it just went that way. the white car did look good in photos though but in reality was not up to scratch.

now when I look out under the verandah I know the red paint job is far better than what was on it prior to the work- plus its a better paint job than what's on the mgf -so I have jumped up two positions in the paint spray dept

another wheel and caliper completely painted and knocked over today so only one wheel to go. my door to window rubbers were a bit on the ratty side. they were good enough to run on the white car but I think putting them back on this would be my downfall.

so I order a set of new rubbers and they should be here in a few days. after that its just a complete polish and it's over for red rover

I actually don't like the idea much of driving it and the stone chips roads are bad around here and plenty of loose gravel about. but I will get use to that idea I suppose! it's only a few months away from another winter run northern territory is out - that's for sure

[smy0003]

t it's over for red rover

Car looks fantastic. Do us a favour and get some good pics, we've all got one nerdy camera friend who jumps at the chance to do their thing!

[Gladiator]

You should feel very satisfied mate. Great job. I just hope I can feel that way when mine is finished.


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[Lokiel]

Did you use caliper-specific paint?

If it's just the same paint as you've used on the rest of the car it will not last long on the calipers and burn due to the high temperatures and sparks generated during braking.

[billybunter]

smy0003 I will do my best and see if I can round up a few good photos once it's completed.

gladiator -just checked your thread and it appears one starts and one ends

lokiel- yep! all good with the paint. it's the duplicolour caliper paint

now what do we think here. should I paint the black strip again along the pinch weld under the sills?

[speed]

Have been refraining from posting as there is only so many compliments I can give

Re bottom seem, I think black would look best

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[smy0003]

Better in black as leaving it red will show up and look funny in those photos you're going to do

[billybunter]

fine... I will paint the pinch weld black!

as for the compliments - I can accept those but anyone can do this paint job so its nothing special apart from a bit of time and prep. it's far worse when you have to prepare panels BUT not ever-one can breed those birds I have - so that is special!

so given the choice i'd rather be a good bird breeder than a good painter now back to that pinch weld

smy003

you know some of those photos I have put up -well I should have been flogged for doing so they were not what one would call inspiring about 20 years ago I was taking cover shots for hunting mags plus had a contract to supply photos to the australian picture library. ........and 20 years prior a wedding photographer

I remember carrying f4 Nikons - medium format in 645 6x6 and 6x7 but those days are gone and all I have now is a crappy point and shoot job although I must admit the only thing I liked about camera then was - if I could earn a quick $$$$

I remember the odd bride saying I don't like that shot you took. couldn't say nothing the camera doesn't liar. but I always thought - do you really think it's a picnic this end

[billybunter]

I think you were on track - looks much better with the pinch weld blacked out

[93_Clubman]

Looks fantastic!

[Lokiel]

I think you were on track - looks much better with the pinch weld blacked out

+1
It hides the gnarled look of the pinch weld seam since it "disappears" - probably why they do this at the factory.

Another suggestion: Replace the clear side indicator with smoked ones:


You can get them here:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-MX5-CRYSTAL-BLACK-SIDE-LIGHT-REPEATER-INDICATORS-/371530509285?hash=item5680f1abe5:g:NfYAAOxyXHpSTuVC
http://www.amber-performance.co.uk/product.php?xProd=9155&xSec=4659

The original reflectors would suit the red paint better too IMO, they'd blend in rather than stand out.

[Mr Morlock]

The process is the interesting part - painting in acrylic which is doable at home. One thing I am not sure of as far as process is concerned is - should the rubbing out be done after the acrylic is applied and before clear coat. Also is clear recommended and should it also be rubbed out/ back ?

Just shows that acrylic can look very good albeit a choice for the guys painting from home and not having access to a paint booth and respirator etc.

Billy certainly is a goer and the results are a credit. I have a mate very much the same and finishes one project and starts another.

The pinch weld on my car is body colour- I thought they all were?

Incidentally side reflectors should be amber if fitted and of course clear lense side markers have to flash amber as well.

[billybunter]

if I change the repeaters I would probably have to change the white front and rear reflectors too, I should have my original orange sets about somewhere. might look into it later and go search

as for the acrylic paint. the guy at the paint shop who has been there 25 years said there is no need to clear coat the acrylic paint and you can get a very good cut and polish without it. on a solid base just cut back and polish and save your money.......not so if metallic as you can't sand it back at all and must go clear coat.

this spray job I decided to use a much better clear coat and was curious if a more expensive product was any better and from an application point of view plus the wet sanding/cut side I think it was far ahead of the clear I had on the car prior to the re-paint. better cleaner gloss and very good light reflection.

if your good enough it is possible to clear coat and leave the end result straight from the gun but the final cut and polish using 2000 wet rub was well worth it. I started off using 1500 on the wet rub but the top coating of clear was well above my expectations and I found I could smooth it out pretty quick with the finer 2000 grit.

in doing so I found it pretty easy to hand cut/polish the car and not a great deal of effect was required to cut the panel. .......no more than if you were giving it a good polish and after that -the car too

[RS2000]

The process is the interesting part - painting in acrylic which is doable at home. One thing I am not sure of as far as process is concerned is - should the rubbing out be done after the acrylic is applied and before clear coat. Also is clear recommended and should it also be rubbed out/ back ?

I did a free acrylic course at a paint shop in Sydney. When using clear coat, they said to apply straight after the last colour coat, having just the usual 15mins approx. drying time between coats. They said leaving clear coat painting to be done at another time can cause peeling.
After last clear coat, leave 4-7 days, then wet rub back to remove any excess orange peel.

[Daffy]

Looks great billy, well done! Any thoughts on changing to slim line rego plates?