A few pics from a recent photoshoot. Think they turned out quite amazing! A few edits using lightroom and I now have something to frame in the house! Enjoy folks.
IMG_20200427_102225.jpg
IMG_20200426_211046_993.jpg
DSC_1111.jpg
A few pics from a recent photoshoot. Think they turned out quite amazing! A few edits using lightroom and I now have something to frame in the house! Enjoy folks.
IMG_20200427_102225.jpg
IMG_20200426_211046_993.jpg
DSC_1111.jpg
Agent☣Orange (10-09-2020),Cermivelli (05-21-2020),Demon I Am (04-30-2020),dnaha (04-28-2020),Greasemonkey2000 (04-29-2020),HarryB (04-27-2020),MiataQuest (04-26-2020),MikeA (04-27-2020),oldgrayleather (04-27-2020),speedypenguin (04-27-2020),tsingson (04-27-2020),zco (04-27-2020)
Wow. This - your car is stunning.
Agent☣Orange (10-09-2020),roadster2 (05-05-2020)
Update!
Things have been coming along smoothly for the exterior. Only a few more rare bits that I would like to add but I'm not expecting to make changes anytime soon.
The focus for the next phase of this build will revolve around redoing interior as I mentioned in an earlier post. Enter KG works Gauge Cluster. A nice upgrade over stock. I did consider artworks gauge cluster’s which are a thing of beauty, particularly the metal work around the gauge cluster. But in the end it was outside my budget.
kg works cluster.jpg
Now to have some fun with choosing gauges! Goes without saying that I’ll be opting for revlimiter gauges. Super high quality, and we have the option of adding our own personal touches. We’re incredibly lucky to have someone so talented make gauge faces for our cars.
I’ve had a look at some of the gauge designs and the JNC gauges with OEM bulbs appeal to me most. I find that the gauges paired with oem bulbs give a warm, balanced, timeless feel. The plan however is to personalise them by using elements from dewa-san’s gauges as a tribute while adding my own finishing touches. Own personal touches, paying tribute to dewa-sans work through revlimiter craftsmanship…this feels right.
JNC gauge.jpg
In terms of adding my own personal touch, I’m always thinking of words that evoke the roadster spirit and driving experience. One word that resonated well was ‘jinba ittai’(horse and rider as one). I figured it would be a nice to incorporate an outline that resembles this over dewa-san's puma/cheetah drawing. Here’s a couple of samples of what I’ve ended up with. Pretty happy with everything, but a bit undecided on one thing.
1. I would like to add the ‘double wishbone suspension’ writing above the shift pattern although I’m not sure whether the gauge face will look too cluttered since it would be right under ‘ENGINE RPMx100’. OR I could get rid of the shift pattern and replace it with 'double wishbone suspension'. The writing position would end up being where the current 'engine rpmx100' writing is but a bit more to the left. Your thoughts?
jinba ittai.JPG
Screenshot_20200505_095335_com.android.gallery3d.jpg
Screenshot_20200506_134315.jpg
ver 1.jpg
Last edited by roadster2; 05-06-2020 at 12:48 AM.
Agent☣Orange (10-09-2020),Cermivelli (05-21-2020),Greasemonkey2000 (05-06-2020),HarryB (05-06-2020),MiataQuest (05-06-2020),oldgrayleather (05-06-2020),R4bbit (05-06-2020)
This car is coming along so nice!
Not much of an update but here is my final design. I ended up taking out the shift pattern and replacing it with the words 'DOUBLE WISHBONE SUSPENSION' from artworks dewa gauge face(but in JNC font). I felt that adding the wording would fill up the available space a bit better without cluttering everything compared to the shift pattern. And who knows, If I go to a 6sp one day I won't like seeing a 5sp pattern every time I get in the car ha. The other change was suggested by Adam, to stay with a 220km/hr speedo since the speed faces needs to match the gear in my transmission otherwise it won't be accurate. No biggie. Look forward to seeing Adam work his magic! Feeling like I should of done this earlier!
JNC Gauge Drawing edits.JPG
Agent☣Orange (10-09-2020),Cermivelli (05-21-2020),MiataQuest (05-07-2020),sammjoey (05-09-2020),tsingson (05-07-2020)
When I saw your wheels on Barrel Bro's page I did wonder where they were going!
Also your custom gauges seem to be flowing from some good ideas! I hope they come out well when you finalise them!
Stay safe!
NC1 Sport, BC Racing Coilovers, RE Amemiya AW7 Wheels.
roadster2 (05-20-2020)
My goodness your Roadster is looking fantastic! Wheels are so gorgeous and sounds like the gauges will be as well! Looking forward to seeing what else you do!
'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
roadster2 (05-20-2020)
Note to self: always keep zoom fuel lid waxed/ceramic coated and protected.
A bit of rain water and my zoom fuel lid is in a sorry state. Tried hand polishing it with the metal polish that came with the fuel cap but didn't have much success. So looks like i'll have to wet sand. Any recommendation on what grit levels I should start off with?
Not my fuel cap (mines actually a bit worse, but you get the idea).
zoom fuel cap.jpg
Agent☣Orange (10-09-2020),MiataQuest (05-21-2020),oldgrayleather (05-21-2020),sammjoey (05-21-2020),tsingson (05-21-2020)
It may look substantial but I doubt it is. In these cases I like to start with something really mild (1000 or 1500 grit). If it works, I work my way up, if it doesn't I go one step down (=coarser) and try again. This avoids unnecessary scratches that are hard to remove later on.
Agent☣Orange (10-09-2020)
I'd potentially start at 400 or 600 with that pitting and build up, or potentially buffing with a sisal mop could remove some of that pitting as sisal mops can begin to polish up from as coarse as 240grit. Just dependent upon the compound you use.
Also note, do not use ceramic coatings on polish aluminum or bare metal, it may appear to protect and keep the finish. But what you're in fact doing is making a thin glass layer over bare metal so oxidization and contamination will happen under the glass(ceramic) layer and you'll be back to square one. The only real way to keep bare metal looking good is to stay on top of keeping it polished.
A better approach for prolonging repolishing would be something like Auto Finesse Mint Rims, a specifically designed metal wax/sealant. It will keep a wax protection layer on the bare metal much like wax on paint, and like wax it would only need be reapplied every 3 months.
NC1 Sport, BC Racing Coilovers, RE Amemiya AW7 Wheels.
That was super useful, as I really struggle to keep the polished lips on my wheels looking decent for long.
No big updates, decided to address the piting on my zoom fuel lid. Started off with 1000 grit wet & dry sandpaper which seemed to do a pretty good job in the end for not alot of work. Finished it off with some wax so hopefully it remains in this state for some time.
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In other news, I love my kg works gauge cluster. But looking at the artworks dewa gauge cluster, I can't help but feel its missing some thicker rings. I've recently gotten in contact with George from Garage5. Very early discussions but hoping to have something made that can potentially be brought out to all those with kg works clusters!
Pic of KG works cluster with the flimsy rings
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Pic of artworks dewa gauge cluster with much thicker rings.
Screenshot_20200602_021806.jpg
Last edited by roadster2; 06-01-2020 at 07:02 PM.
Agent☣Orange (10-09-2020),Cermivelli (06-03-2020),dnaha (06-09-2020),Greasemonkey2000 (06-02-2020),MikeA (06-05-2020),sammjoey (06-02-2020),tsingson (06-02-2020)
Glad your Zoom cap came out better, but it still looks a bit dull? Did you polish it too or just use 1000grit?
I see what you mean about the KG Rings not being thick enough in comparison to the AWD, but maybe they'd be a bit too heavy in thickness with your KG works cluster not having the steeling backing plate like the AWD cluster. Maybe your buddy can make a nice middle ground?
NC1 Sport, BC Racing Coilovers, RE Amemiya AW7 Wheels.
Yeah I know what you mean. I did in fact polish it but it looks more like 'brushed aluminium' if thats the right term. I'm thinking/hoping it will eventually return to normal after a few washes? I'll probably try another polish in fairness.
I think I'm a big fan of thick rings in general like on the RS Products M2 Meter Panel Type-A or M2 1002 cluster. I know that the AWD rings don't work on the KG works cluster due to their size, so I guess these rings will have to be a bit smaller. Anything over the current kg works rings for me to be honest.
Last edited by roadster2; 06-02-2020 at 11:18 PM.
sammjoey (06-03-2020)
Cluster looks great! Was really excited to see George at Garage5 making more gauge rings and super excited to see his rings for the KG Works cluster.
'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