New Project/Toy: 99 Miata

Evil MS3 · Postby **Evil MS3** » Sat Aug 11, 2018 7:04 am

Made my way to the DMV office which handles salvage/rebuilt title cars yesterday. All of my paperwork was in good order and I've got an inspection date of 8/23. Just gotta get some insurance on the car, run by my tax collector for a temp tag and show up with the car on the 23rd. Almost street legal again!

Postby **Loren** » Sat Aug 11, 2018 9:48 am

Nice!

Evil MS3 · Postby **Evil MS3** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 8:13 pm

Got some insurance and a temp tag for the Miata today. So, ready for Thursday minus some body work I'm trying.

I've never done body work before so I figured why not give it a try on the front bumper. The hole in it needed to be patched since it could fail my inspection. Plus, I figure if I ruin it, it's only temporary till I can find a decent replacement as it's the only piece of the car now that looks meh.

So this was the bumper after the damage before any repairs in the first pic.

Then, my first attempt to "rush" fix it with a bumper repair kit, some sandable filler primer and a can of black spray paint. It came out as bad as I expected, but good enough to pass an inspection.

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Evil MS3 · Postby **Evil MS3** » Fri Aug 17, 2018 8:17 pm

So tonight I've started attempt two. Borrowed a better sander, for some more aggressive sand paper, Bondo filler, another can of matching rattle can paint and the primer I already had.

Took down all the spider cracks and sanded down the lumpy area where I filled the hole. Cleaned it and threw some Bondo on it. Now letting it sit over night.

*For future reference, it's best not to have an overhead fan on when working with Bondo. Ruined my first batch since the air from the fan made it pretty much halfway harden before I could even attempt to spread it.

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Evil MS3 · Postby **Evil MS3** » Sat Aug 18, 2018 11:01 am

Bondo sanded, first coat of filler primer. Needs some more sanding in a few places then another coat of primer.

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nathanwilliams617 · Postby **nathanwilliams617** » Sat Aug 18, 2018 11:23 am

Looks good.

twistedwankel · Postby **twistedwankel** » Sat Aug 18, 2018 8:21 pm

You should hit it with a cone and see if the bondo pops out

Really interested in how the "inspection" goes. Never had the nads to try that. I suppose as long as you have all the receipts and photos you are golden. It certainly looks alot better than 1/3 of the cars I see legally driving down the FL roads.

Evil MS3 · Postby **Evil MS3** » Sat Aug 18, 2018 8:23 pm

twistedwankel wrote:You should hit it with a cone and see if the bondo pops out Really interested in how the "inspection" goes. Never had the nads to try that. I suppose as long as you have all the receipts and photos you are golden. It certainly looks alot better than 1/3 of the cars I see legally driving down the FL roads.

Yeah, that seems to be the key. My paperwork was all good and passed. I had VIN numbers on the receipt for the replacement parts and pics of the car before i replaced anything. The car basically looks like nothing happened to it now.

I'll know for sure on Thursday. *fingers crossed*

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Evil MS3 · Postby **Evil MS3** » Tue Aug 21, 2018 8:41 pm

Front bumper is almost done. Looks pretty OK for a rattle can job and my first time attempting body work.

Tomorrow is wet sanding and polish then reinstall for Thursday's inspection.

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twistedwankel · Postby **twistedwankel** » Tue Aug 21, 2018 10:00 pm

I like this guy. Cannot help but like him. A purist. With brass balls.

Postby **Native** » Wed Aug 22, 2018 7:40 am

Looks great!

Evil MS3 · Postby **Evil MS3** » Wed Aug 22, 2018 8:11 pm

twistedwankel wrote:I like this guy. Cannot help but like him. A purist. With brass balls.

Haha i appreciate it. Starting off my long evening with some wet sanding.

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Evil MS3 · Postby **Evil MS3** » Thu Aug 23, 2018 12:31 pm

Bumper came out pretty nice! Had the inspection today and passed no issues. It is now a rebuilt title, registered and legal to drive car. Woohoo!

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twistedwankel · Postby **twistedwankel** » Thu Aug 23, 2018 12:46 pm

You are a Prince of Recycling

Rob is the King.

Postby **Native** » Thu Aug 23, 2018 12:48 pm

Congrats!

Evil MS3 · Postby **Evil MS3** » Thu Aug 23, 2018 12:51 pm

Thanks! Outside of my time, I'm only into the car for maybe $1k for everything including buying it. Can't beat that.

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Postby **Loren** » Thu Aug 23, 2018 1:07 pm

Well-played, sir.

twistedwankel · Postby **twistedwankel** » Thu Aug 23, 2018 4:45 pm

Evil MS3 wrote:Thanks! Outside of my time, I'm only into the car for maybe $1k for everything including buying it. Can't beat that.

I think Loren has replaced more parts on the newer Mirage. Maybe he should get one of those stickers too

Evil MS3 · Postby **Evil MS3** » Wed Aug 29, 2018 9:13 pm

Yay tires! Also got my bottle of redline diff fluid.

My Shibas gave them a good inspection.

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twistedwankel · Postby **twistedwankel** » Thu Aug 30, 2018 1:59 pm

Have you let your brother drive it yet?

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