Bastian's P5 on a college budget

got a wash today

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thanks for the link, I'll definitely do my homework on that!

No problem :) I am a big DIY-er, so when I can find the info and am capable of doing it myself I will (in cases of needing special tools I can't buy or even rent, then I don't do it myself, but so far don't have that issue lol *knocks on wood*). I typically don't mind car research as I am big in learning new car s***, whether it be about my car or some other import, so figured I would take the time to find this and post it since a few of you seem to have the same rusting issue. No point in spending loads for someone to do it when you could save money, learn something new, do it yourself, and feel pride in doing it all yourself lol...just me tho...
 
I'm totally with you on that, for some reason any work with paint just scares the pants off me. With nuts and bolts everything is so straightforward... paint looks so easy to mess up.

on a side note, I was just looking at my garage page and noticed the "total spent" line, I've broken the $1000 mark in mods (boom05)

I know that is next to nothing for some people, but I'm just thinking in retrospect about certain mods I would've held off on to get other things... oh well (eekdance)
 
Bahahahaha!! Yea that is true...you tell yourself "I can't afford that" then spend as much if not more just by doing little things. But **** it...it happens lol. You'll end up getting the stuff one way or another.

Yea, paint is easy to mess up. My advice is to watch videos and read tips/advice and instructions. Just watching videos won't really get the details of what to do/use, but more or less just shows the exact technique in how to do it, so instructions and such will give more little details a video doesn't or what you tend to miss in the video. Then once you think you know how to paint, watch some more videos and read some more. Lol! Always bm the stuff that gives a better detailed explanation. You can do it yourself. I also suggest practicing. Go buy some scrap metal off a car from a junk yard. Use it to practice your sanding, bondo'ing, painting, etc. Then when you feel comfortable at the technique, do it to your car. I have found that Advance Autos nor Autozone seem to carry our car's stock colors, so you may have to order online. The biggest thing about painting is the weather and going nice and slow during the actual primer and painting process. Since you have a garage to block the wind, you really have no need to worry about the wind, however, it does need to be warm outside. And besides...you've plastidipped, so you should pretty much have the painting technique down. There is just more prepping with actually painting your car. Good luck though if you decide to do it!! And post a before photo, some photos during the process for each step or so, and then the final after photo! :D

Painting is just as straight forward as nuts and bolts....just takes more time and patients is all ;p lol
 
You won't want to do any body or paint work unless the ambient temp is above at least 65 for a few days. This is to be sure the body parts are warm and ready for all the steps you have to go through.
 
You won't want to do any body or paint work unless the ambient temp is above at least 65 for a few days. This is to be sure the body parts are warm and ready for all the steps you have to go through.


what he said...plus the humidity needs to be above a certain %...I don't remember the exact percentage, but I am thinking its around 54% or so...???
 
Yo Bastian you running the same size rally armour flaps in front and back? I think I'm going to pick up some of those...

Edit: NM, I just bought some. Hah
 
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Yeah, they're the same size, my fronts are just mounted a bit higher than the rears. If I could go back and do it again, I would mount the rears about an inch higher. They rub pretty frequently.
 
Bastian, I've been reading through your posts and gotta give you much props on your P5's transformation! I just got mine last week and looking to do some similar upgrades to mine.
 
I'm looking in to rear view mirror options... I'm looking for one that is auto dimming and has home link. I've also seen a few that have map lights that I would like to have. I also wouldn't mind a thermometer.

Looking for any input anyone might have. Is this a difficult mod?
 
Check the "what have you done" thread. Someone posted a link up recently.

Here it is:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...dim-compass-temp-rear-view-mirror-in-my-02-P5

Not sure if there's much info in that thread. I do remember someone mentioning there are a few different types of auto dimming/compass/map light/ backup cam mirrors out there. I think the guy in the "what have you done today" thread took his out of a Silverado? Its not like the computer is going to complain. I do know mine came with the auto dim/ compass function but I cant tell if the auto dim feature is really working. I need to look at the manual sometime to troubleshoot.
 
I'm looking in to rear view mirror options... I'm looking for one that is auto dimming and has home link. I've also seen a few that have map lights that I would like to have. I also wouldn't mind a thermometer.

Looking for any input anyone might have. Is this a difficult mod?

Bikingpro5 got a Miata Auto-dimming rear-view with temp from the factory. Easiest and best mod he says
 
new problem...

so today I was driving down a short stretch of highway and noticed a slight shake in the steering. It didn't seem to matter whether I was on the brakes, in gear, or coasting in neutral. When I got home, I got out and noticed a slight burning smell. I went around the car and felt each of the wheels. Three were cold, while the passenger side front wheel was significantly warmer than the rest.

I just put new pads and rotors in up front about 10,000 miles ago.

What are we thinking?
 

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