Page 20 of 36 FirstFirst ... 1013141516171819202122232425262730 ... LastLast
Results 286 to 300 of 535

Thread: Paul B's 90 NA "Build"

  1. #286
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone Paul B's Avatar
    Drives
    White NA Miata
    Location
    Buffalo, NY
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    1,568
    Thanks Given
    2,883
    Thanked 1,496 Times in 575 Posts
    Decided to start on the passenger side fender repeater today.

    Was only going to tape and measure...

    Little Man cooperated with me in the garage and played with his cars very contently.

    Before I knew it the fender was taped. Measuring tape was out. Center was marked. Pattern from the gasket was transferred to the fender. Then there was a hole in my car. Then a bigger hole. Suddenly the Dremel and cutting discs were out and this oddly shaped ameba shaped hole was in my door.

    Marker is in and holds pretty snug with the gasket and clip. Hole is not pretty and an area is a bit too large/not shaped quite right but whatever. Imperfections will be hidden by the signal itself and will be sealed by the gasket and some sort of sealing compound upon final install. Will also use some primer/rust proof paint to seal the metal.

    Not going to wire it in yet so install is not finalized. One day when i remove the fender to realign doors a little better Ill wire them in. Thats a larger project for another day.

    Driver's side is measured, taped up, and hole is marked. Ready to go tomorrow. Learned my lesson on the passenger side so driver's side should turn out almost perfect.

    Really like how the marker looks now that it is installed.



    Has anyone sanded the letters off these and made them smooth?


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  2. The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to Paul B For This Useful Post:

    BRGNA8 (06-20-2017),Greasemonkey2000 (06-19-2017),tsingson (06-28-2017)

  3. #287
    5,000 rpm - there be torque here! Greasemonkey2000's Avatar
    Drives
    2001 NB2 aka Misfire
    Location
    Temple, Tx is where Chad resides.
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    3,973
    Thanks Given
    4,901
    Thanked 2,425 Times in 1,233 Posts
    Fantastic work as usual Paul! I haven't sanded down the side winkers but I did do all the side marker lights and front turn signals on Warbird and although subtle, it is something that makes a very nice visual difference to the keen observer.

    I first used 500 grit, then 1000 grit, then 1500 grit and finally 2000 grit sand paper....all being done wet sanding. Then I used polishing compound and finally carnauba wax to obtain the following results:
    Before:




    After:




    Hope the info and pics help!
    '01 NB2 aka MisF1re: http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....218#post207218
    '97 M aka Warbird, gone but not forgotten: http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....B&goto=newpost
    Instagram: @greasemonkey2000

  4. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Greasemonkey2000 For This Useful Post:

    freedomgli (06-20-2017),JamieH (06-23-2017),Paul B (06-19-2017),tsingson (06-28-2017)

  5. #288
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone Paul B's Avatar
    Drives
    White NA Miata
    Location
    Buffalo, NY
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    1,568
    Thanks Given
    2,883
    Thanked 1,496 Times in 575 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Greasemonkey2000 View Post
    Fantastic work as usual Paul! I haven't sanded down the side winkers but I did do all the side marker lights and front turn signals on Warbird and although subtle, it is something that makes a very nice visual difference to the keen observer.

    I first used 500 grit, then 1000 grit, then 1500 grit and finally 2000 grit sand paper....all being done wet sanding. Then I used polishing compound and finally carnauba wax to obtain the following results:


    Hope the info and pics help!

    Thank you for the kind words! And thank you for the reminder about what sand paper grits I need.

    Im curious about sanding the JDM fender marker because I haven't read about any being sanded or seen any without the letters. Maybe people sand them and dont mention it haha

    All the other lenses on my car have been wet sanded, buffed and polished. It is such a satisfying process. I Love the look. Ive watched other miata enthusiasts stare at my OEM taillights trying to figure out what they are and why they look so much better / different than non-sanded lights. Sanding and polishing them make them look so much darker and deeper red. And no letters to catch dirt, wax, etc

    Guess Ill need to make a trip to Harbor freight tomorrow and get some sand paper lol

    Also now I need to order the RS turn signal ring...



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  6. The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to Paul B For This Useful Post:

    BRGNA8 (06-20-2017),freedomgli (06-20-2017),Greasemonkey2000 (06-19-2017),HarryB (06-20-2017),JamieH (06-23-2017),tsingson (06-28-2017)

  7. #289
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone Paul B's Avatar
    Drives
    White NA Miata
    Location
    Buffalo, NY
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    1,568
    Thanks Given
    2,883
    Thanked 1,496 Times in 575 Posts
    Driver's side is on!

    This side went much easier. I didnt fiddle with making hole perfect. Made it large enough top to bottom and round enough so all edges would fit. Then made sure the left side clipped in and then the right.

    Also a keen eye may notice that they're actually approx 1/4" forward than what all the instructions called for. 4 & 5/8" wasnt labeled on my tape measure so I went with 4 & 3/4" it was. Lol

    No one will ever notice !





    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  8. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Paul B For This Useful Post:

    freedomgli (06-20-2017),Greasemonkey2000 (06-20-2017),HarryB (06-20-2017),RustRat (06-20-2017),tsingson (06-28-2017)

  9. #290
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone Paul B's Avatar
    Drives
    White NA Miata
    Location
    Buffalo, NY
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    1,568
    Thanks Given
    2,883
    Thanked 1,496 Times in 575 Posts
    Received my Track Dog Racing order today.

    Replaced my GS radiator panel with the TDR unit. I like the black better than the brushed aluminum. The TDR seems to fit better in the latch area. Used the GS dress up hardware to mount it securely.


    Test fitted the Shot Gun panel in the glove box. I hAve wanted one of these since R2limited made them. Glad that TDR sells the old stock.



    Not sure what gauge will go here at the moment but Im thinking the AFR gauge will eventually go here. May even add another hole for another monitoring device when turbo happens.




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  10. The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Paul B For This Useful Post:

    BRGNA8 (06-23-2017),Greasemonkey2000 (06-24-2017),RustRat (06-24-2017),tsingson (06-28-2017)

  11. #291
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone Paul B's Avatar
    Drives
    White NA Miata
    Location
    Buffalo, NY
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    1,568
    Thanks Given
    2,883
    Thanked 1,496 Times in 575 Posts
    Today was the day I got motivated to finish the passenger side door panel.

    I was surprised how well the driver's side came out given issues I had to overcome that were my own fault. It made me nervous that I wouldn't be able to repeat the success and thus wasn't motivated to attack the passenger side.

    The driver's side still needs some adjustments to make it 100% so Ill take what I learned and apply to pax side.

    I was patient. Cut the foam backer. Mounted it. Then waited a few days. Traced and cut the vinyl. Then waited a few days. Glued the vinyl to the flat part of the panel. Then waited a few days.

    Tonight was the night to get it glued and see if it matched the driver's side.

    Here is the result. Quite pleased. Surprised myself again.

    Adjustments still need to be made to the backing panel to get the front-bottom clip to clip into the door properly. And I may cut the black speaker grille into its own circular piece and attach it directly to the metal front panel. The thickness of the abs door card make it so the speaker grille sits inward too far. It doesnt look bad, bit it could look much better.



    Comparison:


    Cant wait to get the door tops on and put then on the car.

    During the waiting game for contact cement to become tacky I did some sanding to my recently installed JDM fender winkers.

    The letters are cool. They say "japan" and some other JDM specific things. But the letters, like on the OEM taillights and corner markers, collect dirt and wax. It doesn't look good.

    Each lense took exactly 15 minutes. Wet sanded with 400 then 1000 then 3000. Used my headlight polishing kit that was laying around. It came with the extra fine sanding pads, plastic polish/protectant compound and a special buffing padfor a drill. They both could use a few more minutes with the 3000 grit and a re-buff but I think they came out great.

    Before -wax and dirt in the letters.


    After- super smooth and clean.


    Comparo:


    Then it was time to secure the shotgun gauge panel.

    Even though There is no time frame to install a gauge there, Id still like the panel to be fitted securely without rattles. Tonight was a good night to get it mounted and figure out how the wiring would work.

    It came with 3 tiny screws. Right away I didn't think these would be ideal. They didn't seem like they'd be strong enough. And the glove box is old and fragile. The plastic can crack easily. Also didn't like the idea of the screws poking through into the panel.

    So some holes were marked and drilled. I attempted to use the screws. Glove box cracked. Ugh. Time to figure out a better way to mount this. 10mm nuts & bolts could work and I had plenty laying around in my bucket-o-bolts. Then rolled out. Plastic screw, washer and nut combo. BOOM! This would be perfect.

    A few minutes searching and there were three full plastic sets. Perfect. If i remember correctly, these came from an old TDR splitter I had back on my old Miata. The black plastic will blend in to the glove box. The plastic nut & bolt can be tightened snug and not damage or crush anything. The washers are wider in diameter and thicket to spread the load over larger area; protecting the fragile plastic. Great find. High five to me!

    So some larger holes were carefully drilled into the glove box. And the holes in the panel's mounting tabs enlarged. Plastic fasteners tightened. Panel is in.

    Then to figure out how the wires would exit out of the glove box....another hole was needed. Drilled another hole and then used the step bit to make it about 1" wide. Plenty of wiring can fit through.

    Plastic screw .


    Secure.


    Hole in the back for wiring.



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  12. The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to Paul B For This Useful Post:

    Greasemonkey2000 (06-24-2017),HarryB (06-25-2017),JamieH (06-25-2017),MiataQuest (06-28-2017),MikeA (06-29-2017),Roadster7 (06-28-2017),tsingson (06-28-2017)

  13. #292
    5,000 rpm - there be torque here! Greasemonkey2000's Avatar
    Drives
    2001 NB2 aka Misfire
    Location
    Temple, Tx is where Chad resides.
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Posts
    3,973
    Thanks Given
    4,901
    Thanked 2,425 Times in 1,233 Posts
    Side winkers turned out really nice, Paul!
    '01 NB2 aka MisF1re: http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....218#post207218
    '97 M aka Warbird, gone but not forgotten: http://mazdaroadster.net/showthread....B&goto=newpost
    Instagram: @greasemonkey2000

  14. The Following User Says Thank You to Greasemonkey2000 For This Useful Post:

    Paul B (06-24-2017)

  15. #293
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone Paul B's Avatar
    Drives
    White NA Miata
    Location
    Buffalo, NY
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    1,568
    Thanks Given
    2,883
    Thanked 1,496 Times in 575 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Greasemonkey2000 View Post
    Side winkers turned out really nice, Paul!
    Thank you!! such a nice and simple detail that takes no time at all.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  16. #294
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift HarryB's Avatar
    Drives
    '04 Strato Blue NB2
    Location
    Greece
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    5,933
    Thanks Given
    6,670
    Thanked 2,273 Times in 1,330 Posts
    Great little details is what matters most. Convinced to shave mine as well!

  17. The Following User Says Thank You to HarryB For This Useful Post:

    Paul B (06-25-2017)

  18. #295
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone Paul B's Avatar
    Drives
    White NA Miata
    Location
    Buffalo, NY
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    1,568
    Thanks Given
    2,883
    Thanked 1,496 Times in 575 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by HarryB View Post
    Great little details is what matters most. Convinced to shave mine as well!
    You wont regret it!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  19. #296
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone Paul B's Avatar
    Drives
    White NA Miata
    Location
    Buffalo, NY
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    1,568
    Thanks Given
    2,883
    Thanked 1,496 Times in 575 Posts
    It is funny how my tastes and preferences change during the years Ive owned a Miata.

    This season I have gotten a bit tired of the side skirts. The left side started to become misshaped and deformed. It was getting annoying having to avoid them while getting in and out of the car. My son climbs in and out of the car 100 times a day and he likes to use them as a step. No good.

    Today was the time for them to go. Quick easy task that took half hour and my son was able to help.





    Car looks much better without it. Looks less low somehow and not as saggy. Much more in line with the OEM plus theme.

    My fenders near the lips have some imperfections from dents and such. Im thinking fender flares can hide them




    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  20. The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to Paul B For This Useful Post:

    BRGNA8 (06-28-2017),Greasemonkey2000 (06-27-2017),HarryB (06-27-2017),JamieH (06-27-2017),MiataQuest (06-28-2017),RustRat (06-27-2017),tsingson (06-28-2017)

  21. #297
    3,000 rpm - starting to feel the power BRGNA8's Avatar
    Drives
    1996 NA8C MX-5
    Location
    Sydney, Australia
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Posts
    715
    Thanks Given
    1,050
    Thanked 1,413 Times in 378 Posts
    those 6UL's are awesome but man, a set of bronze watanabe's would look great against a chaste white NA!

  22. The Following User Says Thank You to BRGNA8 For This Useful Post:

    Paul B (06-28-2017)

  23. #298
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone Paul B's Avatar
    Drives
    White NA Miata
    Location
    Buffalo, NY
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    1,568
    Thanks Given
    2,883
    Thanked 1,496 Times in 575 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by BRGNA8 View Post
    those 6UL's are awesome but man, a set of bronze watanabe's would look great against a chaste white NA!
    Im totally with you on that.

    However my funds are not.

    Thinking 15x9 0et rota rkr are the ticket. Leaving them magnesium black or powder coating them to look like Wats


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  24. #299
    4,000 rpm - entering the fun zone Paul B's Avatar
    Drives
    White NA Miata
    Location
    Buffalo, NY
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Posts
    1,568
    Thanks Given
    2,883
    Thanked 1,496 Times in 575 Posts



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  25. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Paul B For This Useful Post:

    RustRat (06-28-2017),tsingson (06-28-2017)

  26. #300
    6,000 rpm - mere mortals would shift HarryB's Avatar
    Drives
    '04 Strato Blue NB2
    Location
    Greece
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    5,933
    Thanks Given
    6,670
    Thanked 2,273 Times in 1,330 Posts
    Please please do not trade 6ULs for Rotas.

  27. The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to HarryB For This Useful Post:

    benpopham (07-04-2017),BRGNA8 (06-30-2017),JamieH (06-28-2017),Paul B (06-28-2017),RustRat (06-28-2017)

Page 20 of 36 FirstFirst ... 1013141516171819202122232425262730 ... LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •