billybunters - from a bmw z4 to a mx5 se

[billybunter]

hi lokiel
good idea - i will work on it

[billybunter]

decided to buy some plastic bumper fill from the ;ocal auto shop to fillin the holes from the removal of the badges from the rear bar. cost of the filler $20



the bages left 2 holes either side of the rear number plate location






using 120 wet/rub sandpaper i created a rough surface for the filler to set



filler area completely rubbed out and cleaned thoroughly with grease/wax remover



the mix is a 2 parts. theres a filler and hardener. to mix a stip of filler the add small amount of hardener. takes about 20 minutes to dry. it was the wet sanded with 320grit



too cold to go further on the rear bar repair so instead i wet sanded the rear spoiler and coated it with plastic primer. that's it for today

[billybunter]

rear bar badge are filled and sanded

[Crapweasel]

Another vote for the US badging per Lokiel's suggestion!

I've done it, and it looks the goods IMHO - this is prior to my tail light mod obviously

[Lokiel]

Here's what it looks like with the badges swapped ("Aussie style"):

[billybunter]

rear bar - first up wet rubbed with 320 grit sandpaper. then cleaned thoroughly with grease/wax remover. several light coats over a one hour period with plastic ptimer. two hourly dry period then 1st of 3 top coats applied




followed on by the large rear mud flaps. as above




next up was the rear headlight covers and spoiler



pretty close to final top coat



left and right repair areas where the badges once sat






rear bar completely sprayed -less top clear coat



mirrors - tail light covers - mud flaps and spoiler



tomorrow it's the final clear coat and rain is in the area for a few days with lower temp. i plan to re-assemble car from the rear -foreward

[billybunter]

too cold to paint so it's re-assembly on the rear



rear impact bar bolted on


plugs and light fittings

[bootz]

I'll bet you you were real good with Meccano as a kid.

[billybunter]

i would have liked one but unfortunately i wasn't lucky enough. weathers not too good to paint so i decide to put a bit of the car back together.
i bet i'll be missing parts or have some left over if so it's under the carpet for those unlucky bits. it's coming together alright so no use complaining
cheers

[billybunter]

rain in for a few days...........no spraying. decided to add a bit of bling to it's rump

[ak_perth]

It's all looking very very good! Once again, thanks for taking the time and making the effort of posting all the photos you have been taking and keeping your thread excellently documented! Well done

Cheers

AK

[billybunter]

thanks for the feedback. still a fair bit to do and plenty of photos/text to come

[billybunter]

front bar removed from the car. bottom removed and both parts wet sanded with 320 grit sandpaper





even after 2 complete rub downs - you could clearly see an area of clear coat was completely missed. if you leave it on following a spray. it will be in this location your paint work will lift and all your hard work is history



6 holes in total for the fill. 4 from the factory mazda badge and 2 from the dealer from the plates



up top i decided to wet sand 120 grit 4 holes iinto 1 and below these number plate holes were left as they were





filler on



pretty hard to sand it off. i started with 220 wet and ended with 360



job completed and ready to clear coat



with a bit of luck weather wise - will clear and top coat tomorrow

[Lokiel]

Now that you've painted the front bumper, to prevent those bloody numberplate bolt scratches, you should buy the MX5 Plus number plate mount. It eliminates the top bolts altogether.

http://www.mx5plus.com.au/part_display.php?part=18&cat=5

[billybunter]

good idea i was about to ask you about that