My Yellow NSX restoration

[mjames75]

Recently got my car back from Kaz after a full engine refresh- thanks again Kaz, the car is driving very smooth and feels great!

Before It went to Kaz I didn't really spend too much time cleaning it up apart from a quick polish before Japfest last year. As the Engine bay is nice and clean thanks to Kaz, its time to work on the other areas! So first up was under the front compartment:

It was very dirty with just under 150k miles and I don't think this area had been touched before. Kaz had already cleaned the area surrounding the new radiator.

http://s6.postimg.org/roie2ykdd/20150114_225101.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

The area under the bonnet was full of grime and worrying if corrosion sets in more.


http://s6.postimg.org/w565nw97l/20150115_135308.jpg (http://postimage.org/)


http://s6.postimg.org/q5iek8of5/20150115_135327.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Removed the spare tyre to give a quick clean for now, it will require more work on another day.

used some citrus degreaser and some brushes to agitate the dirt and then onto a steam clean. I would recommend removal of the battery and tray.

[mjames75]

http://s6.postimg.org/tu83jpyg1/20150115_143020.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

After I was happy with the area I wanted to add some protection to repel dirt and water, usually I would use a good sealant and wax by hand but in this case due to hard to reach areas I chose a quick spray sealant. Spray on and rinse off.

http://s6.postimg.org/htmnizr1d/20150115_143524.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

A quick test to show it works...

http://s6.postimg.org/ft0pbwk9t/20150115_144059.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Dried the area thoroughly with cloths and a air dryer to ensure no moisture is left behind.

Hopefully should give a few months protection and will work on the area some more in warmer weather. I treated the underside of the hood, used some metal polish on the aluminium areas and treated the spare tyre with megs tyre gel-this is important as the rubber will crack if left untreated over the years. 303 aerospace protection added to plastics and rubbers.

[mjames75]

Quite happy with the results after only a couple of hours. Probably will never use the spare but I can feel the difference in balance with it removed and prefer it in.

http://s6.postimg.org/ovp6ixk0x/20150115_154401.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
Guess what's missing?!
http://s6.postimg.org/ln6etr069/20150114_232155.jpg (http://postimage.org/)


Signed by Jenson in 2004 so tried not to scrub too hard.

a few rusty brackets and bolts which I plan to replace but treated with rust stopper for now.

cheers,

Mike

[mjames75]

http://s6.postimg.org/45hv6fvoh/20150130_151116.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Kaz already cleaned the bay after his recent service on my car but after nearly 900 miles on horrible winter roads dirt started to build up. I always wash the car after driving in winter as soon as I get home normally. Wiped down the engine bay and looks great again.....just need that red nsx r manifold cover I think...

[AR]

Good job on the clean up, you can always get the engine plate powder coated or spray to match?

[mjames75]

Good job on the clean up, you can always get the engine plate powder coated or spray to match?

Cheers,

I have a spare Manifold cover so will try with the red VHT paint and see how it looks...alot cheaper too!

[Dragonlady]

Why don't you mask off the surrounding area and put a couple of clear coats over JB's signature?

[mjames75]

Why don't you mask off the surrounding area and put a couple of clear coats over JB's signature?

It is on in permanent marker and I have put a good sealant on it, plus its been there since 2004 so just have to make sure I dont overclean it!

[Senninha]

It is on in permanent marker and I have put a good sealant on it, plus its been there since 2004 so just have to make sure I dont overclean it!

Or you could cover in clear vinyl like they use for stone guard (or clear bra as the Primers call it) ... I've used this in the glove box to protect the autograph I have in there ... nice touch having JB's autogrpagh

When I followed the blog I presumed it was your car in with Kaz ... nice way to begin ownership

[mjames75]

http://s6.postimg.org/sur7v50kh/2015_02_02_20_41_32.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

A Wash and wax before going in the garage, Lots of new bits ordered, mainly nuts and bolts and new wheel nuts- I hate the oem locking nuts! they stick out too far, not sure if I need them.... Alloys will be refurbed soon with new centre caps.

Still no sign of clutch slip despite 151k miles on original clutch.

[Pride]

http://s6.postimg.org/sur7v50kh/2015_02_02_20_41_32.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

A Wash and wax before going in the garage, Lots of new bits ordered, mainly nuts and bolts and new wheel nuts- I hate the oem locking nuts! they stick out too far, not sure if I need them.... Alloys will be refurbed soon with new centre caps.

Still no sign of clutch slip despite 151k miles on original clutch.

WOW!!
What a beautiful car.
Great to see someone else getting fantastic clutch longevity. I've done 135k and thought that was good, but 151k is amazing, well done you.
i know one things for sure, when it does need replacing I'm fitting another OEM clutch for sure.

[mjames75]

WOW!!
What a beautiful car.
Great to see someone else getting fantastic clutch longevity. I've done 135k and thought that was good, but 151k is amazing, well done you.
i know one things for sure, when it does need replacing I'm fitting another OEM clutch for sure.

Thanks

Most of the mileage was done by the previous owner, however I have never replaced on clutch yet on any of my cars, my civic vti had 170k miles on original clutch when I sold it! its out there somewhere still I think!

With Vtec engines as they are high revving I think its important to rev match, this saves the clutch and transmission....and engine for that matter, that's why I love manuals, my CSL although classed as manual will blip on a downshift when i pull the paddle back, although its quicker with no clutch work, for me its not as involving.....I love heel and toe in the NSX........nothing better than a perfect rev match!

[mjames75]

http://s28.postimg.org/4kdslkv0d/20150205_203818.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Box of new nuts and bolts arrived to replace all the rusty ones.....will be a busy weekend!

[mjames75]

Really rusty around the accelerator box....

http://s28.postimg.org/cbflehpnh/20150206_102456.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s28.postimg.org/f2yv53o65/20150206_103342.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
Used some hydrate 80 as it stops rust and also adds a coating and drys clear. Will probably get the supporting and surrounding brackets changed at some point.
http://s28.postimg.org/r646snz8d/20150206_103346.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Replaced 4 bolts and washer....much better for now

http://s28.postimg.org/mge94287x/20150206_121630.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Did an oil change too, silkolene race pro s 5 40, was going to stick with Mobil 1 0 40 but bought lots of silkolene last year when it was on special.

[mjames75]

http://s16.postimg.org/j3mwr3lad/20150209_104240.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Cleaned and adjusted the ccu fan....lots of dust and doubt it was ever cleaned before, nice and quiet now. used some dry silicone spray to lubricate it, this is not sticky when dry so no dust can stick to it.

http://s16.postimg.org/igslfbds5/20150209_111539.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Gave me a chance to get all the dust out the crevices. Not happy with how the Sat nav I installed fits and looks in the navpod so looking out for another one.

http://s16.postimg.org/5b8hvguit/20150209_111744.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[mjames75]

http://s9.postimg.org/7fdwxgqq7/2015_02_11_22_58_40.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Removed the front number plate for some cleaning,
the bolts to hold the plate surround on were rusty so ordered some new ones.....liking the front end with no plate.

On the plus side, very few stone chips for the mileage, but filled in the few chips, wet sanded and buffed over.

The headlights were very badly aged and the previous owner had a quote from honda for new ones...not cheap!
I already wet sanded these before japfest last year but need refining some more

[mjames75]

Decided to start cleaning the wheel arches, alot of dirt build up, didn't use harsh chemicals but just some citrus degreaser and steam.

http://s6.postimg.org/92f308dup/20150126_160954.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

have to be careful around the rubber boots, started removing the black underseal and was going to replace it with clear underseal but it I don't think it offers better protection and due to the gap in the wheel arch I think black will look better, so for now removing any old underseal and will replace with new.

http://s6.postimg.org/bl0s0wzkx/20150126_170218.jpg (http://postimage.org/)
Will update once its finished....

[mjames75]

Fitted the sprayed manifold cover done by a member of the dc2-itr forum who specialises in wheel refurbs and rocker cover spraying:

http://s6.postimg.org/scvu5lkip/20150227_130648.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Just need to work out what to do about the centre garnish now, may try spray red too

[Senninha]

MAde a nice job of that cover ... red for the center or fit the 98 spec

[mjames75]

had a chance to wax it today. Was unsure about yellow before but its growing on me...

http://s6.postimg.org/phrxq7va9/2015_03_01_20_47_04.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[soddy]

looks fantastic mate, yellow is a great colour on the nsx, look at nobby's na1. bright colours look good on na1 and na2 cars.
i have used krust to treat surface rust so interesting o know if it's similar stuff. the other stuff i used was the green gel that you
brush on then leave a few hours, work in and reapply then after a few hours wash off and turns the brown rust to a nice silver metal.

[mjames75]

looks fantastic mate, yellow is a great colour on the nsx, look at nobby's na1. bright colours look good on na1 and na2 cars.
i have used krust to treat surface rust so interesting o know if it's similar stuff. the other stuff i used was the green gel that you
brush on then leave a few hours, work in and reapply then after a few hours wash off and turns the brown rust to a nice silver metal.

Thanks,

Yeah, the bilt hamber stuff just stops rust going furthur and seals the area, the gel will strip the rust away but as it was pretty rusty was worried i would have nothing left, after winter hopefully will get new brackets and seal from new so they never rust again!

[mjames75]

http://s6.postimg.org/q7bqgeiox/20140618_233905.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

been busy working on the yellow car and about to get wheels refurbished, took the red car for a run....we didn't have a race!

[mjames75]

Still cleaning the suspension and arches, removed all the plastic linings and had to replace most of the clips and screws. Removed most of the underseal and replaced with new. Very time consuming as I used steam mostly as wanted to avoid harsh chemicals around the bushes etc.
http://s6.postimg.org/q9td7uy75/20150320_160615.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Still got to remove brake discs and paint dust guards and treat any rusty areas.

Just undersealing the other 3 corners now....

[Pride]

So when and where is the concourse event then. :)

[mjames75]

Painted Brake shields,anti roll bars and suspension spring coils that were rusty with por15, very serious stuff, no solvent can remove it and drys to a flexible coating but as hard as glass (double glazing!).
Really strong stuff so important not to breathe it in! impossible for more rust to set it where por15 goes. Any rusty bolts i coated with a clear sealant. All this on 4 corners. Wheels should arrive this week
http://s6.postimg.org/a9xe2gext/20150322_175824.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[mjames75]

Got the alloys back from Lepsons who have done an amazing job, before I put them on, time for a few coats of sealant and wax! New wheel nuts too...


http://s6.postimg.org/4ube36co1/20150324_115052.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[mjames75]

No before pictures, but got most of the shine off the leathers and treated them with leather feed.

http://s24.postimg.org/9tv3n39h1/20150327_170908.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s24.postimg.org/bke4okr05/20150327_172738.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[mjames75]

New pedal Covershttp://s3.postimg.org/letqm1ujn/20150327_165417.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s3.postimg.org/igwrscmw3/20150327_165459.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s3.postimg.org/xe58td04j/20150327_165645.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[Senninha]

The attention to detail going into this refresh is to be applauded .. it really is looking very healthy and can endorse Lepsons workmanship too.

The pedal covers, do them simple 'stretch' into place?

regards, Paul

[mjames75]

The attention to detail going into this refresh is to be applauded .. it really is looking very healthy and can endorse Lepsons workmanship too.

The pedal covers, do them simple 'stretch' into place?

regards, Paul

Thanks Paul, the pedal covers just stretch over the pedal, took a few minutes to fit both

[soddy]

wheels look great :)

[mjames75]

New Fuel caphttp://s6.postimg.org/blmneoiox/2015_03_31_22_22_08.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

I did clean the area before but needs going over again, alot of dirt collects in here normally.

http://s6.postimg.org/ptcc3bvdt/2015_03_31_22_22_30.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

Thanks to Kaz for sourcing the parts for me

[mjames75]

Restored the front lip. On any car most plastics will fade through uv damage or acids in car wash chemicals If not protected from day one. This is a permanent trim restorer, very important to degrease any areas before application.

http://s6.postimg.org/nep1wn4ip/2015_03_31_22_28_05.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

http://s6.postimg.org/sopfa6zdt/2015_03_31_22_29_28.jpg (http://postimage.org/)

[Senninha]

Old thread revival ...

Came looking for the before, during and after photos for the suspension and arch refresh but sadly the photos have gone ... so any chance of reposting a few please?

Many Thanks, Paul