My first mini-photoshoot with the P5

[robeats]

Hello everyone, I've been lurking here for awhile, quietly taking advantage of the Protege knowledge and snagging some good deals in the site's marketplace.

I had the chance this weekend to clean up the car and take a few quick pictures. I've had my P5 for just over a year now and I've really enjoyed it; it's surprised me how well it handles, how low-maintenance it is, and how great the gas mileage is regardless of how I drive. It's pretty much the most practical daily driver I could hope for right now.

I wanted to get more shots but mall security wasn't too cool with me taking pictures on private property. Oh well...I hope you enjoy what few pictures I did get!

Here are the shots in my Picasa album: http://picasaweb.google.com/rob.easters/CitrusParkPhotoShoot#

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30590238@N08/2858637740/" title="CIMG9995 by rob.easters, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3294/2858637740_fd67449659.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="CIMG9995" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30590238@N08/2858639400/" title="CIMG9998 by rob.easters, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2858639400_effc637ea0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="CIMG9998" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30590238@N08/2857813241/" title="CIMG0017 by rob.easters, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3024/2857813241_0692c285bd.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="CIMG0017" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30590238@N08/2858644988/" title="CIMG0021 by rob.easters, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/2858644988_846d92bdde.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="CIMG0021" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30590238@N08/2857816707/" title="CIMG0025 by rob.easters, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/2857816707_beecde625d.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="CIMG0025" /></a>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/30590238@N08/2858640866/" title="CIMG0014 by rob.easters, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3267/2858640866_d31bc871fb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="CIMG0014" /></a>

 

[Valk]

the slideshow doesnt seem to work for me, but it might not like my FF or somthing.

liking your white there =) some nice shots. the accord is nice too.

 

[Sliver5]

Looking good! I like the rims

 

[robeats]

Hey Valk, how hard was the headlight blackout mod? It really sets off the front of the car.

 

[dxaveP5]

hahaha black outs are easy, but take a while if its ur first time.
btw, robeats tell your friend with the accord or if its yours aswell to get the front Depo Lights for the accord.
cause the amber corners are replaced with clear ones, and the type of paint they use for the black outs for it looks realllly cleeean. my friend has the new depo's installed and it makes the accord looks THAT MUCH cleaner.

 

[Flash5]

those are definitely different rims for a p5

 

[Valk]

took some time and fiddling to get them apart but the paint was easy. just take your tine when prying. I ended up cutting the s*** once i could get a knife in there heh. also, make sure you clean the inside of the lense. mine have a few particles of dust on the inside =(

and thank you for the compliment!

 

[robeats]

Yeah, funny story about the rims...

I picked them because they're so lightweight...roughly HALF the weight of the stock wheels. Makes a noticeable difference in road feel and acceleration. Especially with how low-powered the car is. In addition, they're 6.5" wide vs. the stock 6" and that extra half inch helps push the wheels out, creating a more flush look. They have a nice lip too. And I read a few posts about how they fit on Proteges.

They're also very cheap--you can find sets for under $200 (without the center caps) on eBay.

Only thing is, the centerbore is wrong--too small for our application. I didn't realize it until I had already purchased them, cleaned them up, and had my tires mounted...Thankfully, I found a local wheel shop that would bore out the centers for me. I just ended up spending money unnecessarily. That's what I get for trusting the internets!

Sometimes I wish they were 16 inch wheels, but for the price and weight difference, I really can't complain.

 

[robeats]

Valk, thanks for the reply! I'll post pictures up after I black out mine.

 

[vinylkings.ca]

i love white P5's. sharp lookin car. i like the black piece on the rear bumper.

 

[Sveivo]

Love the wheels on your car. Weight savings = FTW.

 

[robeats]

...And here are some new pics with the headlight housings blacked out and the side molding removed:

I think the black housings make a big difference in the car's appearance. While I had the headlights out, I sanded and polished the lenses, removing all the yellow oxidation, and that helped make the lights look even fresher.

 

[Sveivo]

Nice job. I've been too afraid to do that.

 

[dxaveP5]

Nice job. I've been too afraid to do that.

afraid?? y?
its really not that bad.

 

[robeats]

Sveivo, are you talking about taking the headlights apart or pulling off the side molding?

I had an expert take care of the headlights for me, honestly, because I was worried about messing them up myself. After watching the process, I think it's all about having the patience to get them apart without breaking the tabs.

The side moldings I did myself, with a little help from 3M adhesive remover. There's a good how-to on the forum here that gives the exact 3M part number you need and some helpful tips on getting the molding off. I was a little worried that there would be a noticeable difference in the appearance of the paint underneath the trim but after a little TLC with a good cleaner wax all is well.

 

[mazdaspeed777]

Sveivo, are you talking about taking the headlights apart or pulling off the side molding?

No, he was talking about sanding the headlights. Great mod choice on blacking out the head lights.

Now. . . MORE BLACK OUT MODS! Tint your tails, paint rear valence and latch cover black, tint your bumper side marker lights, paint badges black, and get some black wheels. Sorry, I just love blacked out white P5's. Happy modding!

 

[Sveivo]

afraid?? y?
its really not that bad.

Hehe, I'm a pussy modder, I guess.

Sveivo, are you talking about taking the headlights apart or pulling off the side molding?

I had an expert take care of the headlights for me, honestly, because I was worried about messing them up myself. After watching the process, I think it's all about having the patience to get them apart without breaking the tabs.

The side moldings I did myself, with a little help from 3M adhesive remover. There's a good how-to on the forum here that gives the exact 3M part number you need and some helpful tips on getting the molding off. I was a little worried that there would be a noticeable difference in the appearance of the paint underneath the trim but after a little TLC with a good cleaner wax all is well.

Yes, I meant the headlights. Did you get it done at a shop or what? What kind of specialist was it?

No, he was talking about sanding the headlights. Great mod choice on blacking out the head lights.

Now. . . MORE BLACK OUT MODS! Tint your tails, paint rear valence and latch cover black, tint your bumper side marker lights, paint badges black, and get some black wheels. Sorry, I just love blacked out white P5's. Happy modding!

Maybe if I keep seeing threads like this, I'll break down and do it!

 

[MTV]

E
U
R
O

I like it

 

[rednecks_r_us]

Looking good

 

[robeats]

Yes, I meant the headlights. Did you get it done at a shop or what? What kind of specialist was it?

Maybe if I keep seeing threads like this, I'll break down and do it!

The "Specialist" I referred to is my friend with the Accord Coupe in my first set of pics. He's black housed several sets of Honda and Nissan headlights in the past, including the set on his own car right now. His experience was very helpful.