my corona virus lockdown thread.....

[britlude]

Hi all, hope you are all keeping safe during these unusual times….. I can’t work from home and work has shutdown, so I’m having to find things to fill my time, and there’s an NSX to do list that has been sitting around for a while…..


First up was to remove the centre console, and redo the paint, it had lifted in a couple of places and a little aged, so out it came and a coat of paint added. Of course shops unavailable, so I made a colour out of several pots I had spare in the garage and went from there…..

While it was out, the volume knob had been intermittent on my after market stereo, so while I had access, that was popped out, stripped, repaired, rebuilt and re-installed… no frustrating volume control now!!! That’s only been a year or so!!!!


Anyhoo, while the centre console was out, the handbrake cover was tweaked to get the fit a little tighter and it all went back together!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743559851_bd3b1a9c80_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMEKiD)IMG_20200329_121238 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMEKiD) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Colour turned out quite nice :)


This is how it compared to the first green from the door inserts….

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743881657_b3e90df139_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMGoY2)IMG_20200330_123418 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMGoY2) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

pretty good colour :)

So, these too were flatted back, primed, coloured and lacquered….
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743569636_09a8f488fa_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMENdm)IMG_20200404_115935 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMENdm) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


In the sun to cook, making the most of the weather!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743021963_326a0e18bd_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMBZpH)IMG_20200404_122401 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMBZpH) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Refit all the door panel gubbins….

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743892377_e29e5a8d27_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMGs9R)IMG_20200405_113154 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMGs9R) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


And back in…. looking nice!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743892262_86d16d66d5_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMGs7S)IMG_20200405_154525 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMGs7S) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

I’ve not refitted the trims behind the door handle, as I’m going to sort the broken tabs (as they usually are) later, either repair, or replace, depending how rich I feel!

[britlude]

I did treat myself to new sill trims and pads, mine have been resurfaced with plasticoat several times, and now, as they are looking terrible I treated myself to some new ones….
Of course, I changed my carpet colour, and Honda don’t do green carpet, so a tweak was needed!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743881832_72bc100b94_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMGp23)IMG_20200329_214517 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMGp23) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

And spring arrived, so a quick wash and the summer wheels went on….

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743021623_da067beec1_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMBZiR)IMG_20200405_154920 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMBZiR) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

If I ever get to use them!!!!

[britlude]

Next on the list, is the rear bumper has some paint cracks and issues, so I wanted to paint it…. after investigating, I decided to remove it…. First up, after researching all the ‘how to remove an NSX bumper’ threads, it’s straight forward…..

.....however, mine had other ideas…..

Mine has a number plate holder that is connected by 4 threads to the chassis, not the bumper beam…..

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743021403_523e5bde9b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMBZf4)IMG_20200406_114209 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMBZf4) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

This wraps around the bumper beam so has to move out of the way to allow removal….. 28 years in one position meant this thought otherwise….. so snips required….
Leaving me this once the bumper was off….

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743891812_80e54b3d72_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMGrZ7)IMG_20200406_115447 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMGrZ7) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

And how it should sit if complete…

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743021293_d4a6d6bf44_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMBZda)IMG_20200406_115524 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMBZda) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

It swings and hooks into the bumper to latch it in place…. If it would swing… alas no, so they will be coming off…. The ‘nuts’ on the threads have no shape, not corroded, just round…. Ok, no prob, there’s obviously screw heads inside the boot…… no, they are hooked into a spot welded bar, not yet worked out how! Guessing they slide in from the side but nothing is moving yet! There might be an angle grinder involved shortly!!!!

So… bumper off…..

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743021188_461b28d6f1_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMBZbm)IMG_20200406_115606 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMBZbm) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

Hmmm… that’s a bit crusty! Before you panic, bear in mind my car is used daily year round and lives outside……




















Now you can panic!!!!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743891502_7df7242a41_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMGrTL)IMG_20200406_123105 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMGrTL) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743020908_6de4dc0b3a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMBZ6w)IMG_20200406_123118 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMBZ6w) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

Yup, that’s crusty! And the reason I wanted to get the bumper off….. the replacement beam has the numberplate gubbins already welded on, so I don’t need the non-swivelling swivelling bracket…..

So bumper prep started….

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743568181_7e394643d0_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMEMMg)IMG_20200406_134122 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMEMMg) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743891122_340f5b31f0_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMGrMd)IMG_20200406_134116 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMGrMd) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49743891222_77e5cba64b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMGrNW)IMG_20200406_134111 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMGrNW) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

I know that I can split the bumper into 2 halves to make it easier, but you haven’t seen the state of the fixings, and they definitely won’t want to move, so some masking will be necessary!

Fortunately I have sufficient of the correct mixed colour to do the job!!!

[ozon02]

you are good at painting, congratulations !!!
and how do you deal with lamination?
maybe you can make a bumper bracket with CF or Carbon
Those available from well-known sellers are expensive :(

[britlude]

We shall see once I've painted it!!!!

As for lamination, I have had my moments, but in this case I'll stick with the honda bit!!! I'll add some underseal on it for a bit more longevity!!!!

[britlude]

As the weather forecasters said, today was a good weather day! So taking advantage, garage space was cleared ready for painting….


The patches where paint had rubbed through were given a quick treatment of plastic paint adhesion promoter and the areas first blown in with some barrier coat…


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49747121437_6bb956c2ae_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMZ13i)IMG_20200407_101712 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMZ13i) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


The rest soon following with a couple of full coats, suitable drying time in the sun and flatting in between coats!


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49746790186_4d60d9039a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMXiz5)IMG_20200407_103657 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMXiz5) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Then the first coats of colour.....


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49746249823_d9f39b6954_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMUwWt)IMG_20200407_131247 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMUwWt) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Being base coat pearl, you can never be completely sure of the colour match, as the pearl looks lighter without lacquer…. Again, after appropriate drying time another 2 coats went on, being careful not to get any ‘dry’ edges to the paint…. That’s when colours DO change as the particles don’t have time to settle, and it can end up more ‘sparkly’….


Back into the garage for 4 coats of lacquer… I had to do this in the garage, as although it was calm and warm out, with the insects not too active, there are 2 silver birch trees dumping clouds of pollen!


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49747121667_2eee352751_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMZ17g)IMG_20200407_141909 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMZ17g) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Once the paint surface had ‘skinned’ and the spray test sample was dry to the touch I could transfer it outside to let the sun do its thing!


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49747121692_3b58f9094a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMZ17G)IMG_20200407_151713 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMZ17G) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


De-masked the bottom half of the bumper, and the colour match is pretty much there…. New on the left, old paint on the right….


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49746790606_624dbe8474_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iMXiGj)IMG_20200407_152540 (https://flic.kr/p/2iMXiGj) by jon
sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

the paint finish will get a bit 'orange peel' because of this particular lacquer (its not supposed to, but just does with me!) so flatting and polish will be in order once its had some time to cure..... the compromise of having a quicker cure time, rather than a surface that's sticky like literal fly-paper for 3 hours!!! if only i had a spray booth!

anyhoo, waiting for it to cure for a couple of days means i can get on with the bumper bar..... think i'm going to take the rear lights off, fit the bumper bar... then i can fit the bumper cover separately, and not have 10 bolts to line up in one go, but only 4! I'd rather not be fighting with a heavy bumper assembly with fresh paint!

[goldnsx]

The color match is ok.
My paint pro once said that all paints have some kind of orange peal by default. The finish is a result of polishing (or even sanding). He said he likes the paint to be soft for that step but I don't know how long to wait. The paint finally settles after some weeks/months. Repolishing might be needed.

[britlude]

With 2k two part paint it's typically paint one day, polish the next, so I shall probably give this one 48hr as it's cold overnight then flat and polish

[Heineken]

The colour match and the overall paint result is really impressive.
If I tried that it would probably be a glorious fail and look like my kids played with finger paint .. :)

[britlude]

The ongoing story….. the bumper beam!


To give it some more protection I undersealed it, a nice coating inside and out….

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49752608007_76f7afe6ed_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNt81k)IMG_20200408_105350 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNt81k) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Brackets bolted on, and turned over to do the other side…

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49751743148_1d6b396594_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNoFUY)IMG_20200408_111904 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNoFUY) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Whilst waiting for it to dry, the redundant brackets were removed from the back panel…..

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49751743173_89b8579230_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNoFVp)IMG_20200408_115119 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNoFVp) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


The ‘nuts’ are completely round from original, no idea how they tightened them!!!! Once flats cut on the side I could undo them…. Like a nut!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49752276681_76550f2a29_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNrqvP)IMG_20200408_115205 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNrqvP) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr



His left me with 4 studs…

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49752608197_871d0d3c44_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNt84B)IMG_20200408_115230 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNt84B) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

Which I have had to put nuts on, to stop them rattling!!!! Not completely sure why they didn’t just put conventional nuts on in the first place!!!!


Once dry I could bolt it on!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49751868463_b3dbaf66b3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNpkaz)IMG_20200408_125740 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNpkaz) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Next up was to make some top hat washers to hold the lower bumper mounting horns, some didn’t survive the disassembly from the old rusty bar…. The added bonus is these now have stainless threads!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49752276766_4a8b842368_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNrqxh)IMG_20200408_144610 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNrqxh) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Then it was lights out and refit the cover….

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49752608507_ccecfce14f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNt89X)IMG_20200408_171638 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNt89X) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

[britlude]

Next up is refit the number plate lights….. however….

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49752608317_f895574d3f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNt86F)IMG_20200408_163634 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNt86F) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

Yes, minging, and not sure they actually gave out any light!!!


Lenses taken off, after cutting a slit into the screw to actually undo it….

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49752608312_a67f67ee2b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNt86A)IMG_20200408_164249 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNt86A) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

Cleaned and stuck back together, the one already broken broke into 3, the other, already cracked broke too when they were washed!
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49752608452_a021c3f4bd_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNt891)IMG_20200408_171601 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNt891) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Better, but still needed to be attacked with a dremel to polish the last of the grime inside!

Holders cleaned up ok, the rust scraped off and rust treated….. I did have to spend some time reconstructing the internal shield, as they had got a bit fragile and crumbly over the years!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49752608372_d1ec3ac131_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNt87C)IMG_20200408_171554 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNt87C) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Somewhat better now!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49752720947_7c919e52ae_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNtGzz)2020-04-09_09-09-36 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNtGzz) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

I do have new brackets coming, as they are available and not too silly priced! still £12.86 each delivered, but better than hours fettling in the garage!

[britlude]

Today’s tasks started with flatting back the bumper with 2000 grit wet and dry paper (always use it wet, and with soap if it’s really fine paper!) and then polishing it back up to a glossy finish…

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49753846076_d93b6b2e1d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNzt3m)IMG_20200409_122045 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNzt3m) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Yup, that’s shiny…

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49753846071_836acc2ebf_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNzt3g)IMG_20200409_121247 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNzt3g) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Now..... inside the arch/bumper area, it’s very open…..

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49754210197_b9078fe417_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNBkhi)2020-04-09_06-23-00 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNBkhi) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

That’s my shiny new bumper beam….

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49753313178_530bb751a3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNwJCs)IMG_20200409_145640 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNwJCs) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


And the open ends of the beam… quite why they kept this open, to scoop in any mud and debris spat up from the wheels, I’ll never know….

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49753846301_c552b7fcf6_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNzt7e)IMG_20200409_145627 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNzt7e) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

So a little addition was cut out of thick rubber matting…..

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49753846396_41eaa035ca_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNzt8S)IMG_20200409_151700 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNzt8S) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


And the void given an extra bit of protection, mounted on the existing threads of the bumper mounts....

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49753313338_d8940614a5_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iNwJFd)IMG_20200409_153119 (https://flic.kr/p/2iNwJFd) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


There is a plastic shield to stop debris/mud going up into the wing void (sort of), but nothing in the bumper area….. I’m sure the NSX engineers missed a trick, even adding to the wing liner could have closed this area neatly….. I mean, look in the front wheel arch, it’s obvious they like making complicated mouldings!!!!

oh, of course, the pitch of the 2 mounting holes for the number plate are different on the new bumper beam, and the old non-hingeing hinged JDM original... so a modified mounting plate had to be made up!!!

Anyhoo, another job jobbed!!! Might have a rest tomorrow!!!

[PeterW]

Nice job Jonathan 👏

[britlude]

instead of my usual bank holiday friday of a car show at Wheelsday (the traditional season opener for me) i spent it polishing..... and had the car battery on charge, 2 weeks of just sitting there doesn't do it any good!

so a machine polish with farecla G10, stronger G3 on any scratches i found, then a machine glaze, followed by 3 rounds of 'finish first' polishy stuff....

some pix, pretty much as good as it's going to look with the current paint!!!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49765853197_ee1351d59c_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iPD1kF)IMG_20200410_141649 (https://flic.kr/p/2iPD1kF) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49765526271_88aa7f5300_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iPBka2)IMG_20200410_195302 (https://flic.kr/p/2iPBka2) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49765526751_d4ac8c70cc_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iPBkii)IMG_20200410_195353 (https://flic.kr/p/2iPBkii) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49765526726_4ac5dcf457_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iPBkhS)IMG_20200411_104336 (https://flic.kr/p/2iPBkhS) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

and an arty shot with morning dew.....

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49765852762_7ecc170888_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iPD1db)IMG_20200411_092745 (https://flic.kr/p/2iPD1db) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

[NSXGB]

Super shiny Jon!
Had a heart attack when I saw the first pic, I thought you'd pranged the OSF....should really have my glasses on!

[goldnsx]

I had my glasses on but still fell on the optical illusion. Well done.

[Senninha]

I adore this NSX for the fact its a living project and yet a daily driver ... and as always, I’m in admiration of the skills you possess to keep it looking many years younger than the calendar or miles would have you believe, if only we were closer I could keep you busy ... take are, stay safe Jonathan, rgds Paul

[britlude]

Ta muchly! And I find the issues before everyone else has to!!!!

[britlude]

another tarty pic before we continue....

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49867718267_663af14e50_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iYD6gZ)IMG_20200429_084109 (https://flic.kr/p/2iYD6gZ) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


next up, change the front splitter..... it was getting tired, and it takes a real effort to get it damaged on the top edge!!!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49867718247_8f59fa9b94_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iYD6gD)IMG_20200418_144335 (https://flic.kr/p/2iYD6gD) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


anyhoo... new one on..... pretty now....

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49866873708_8ab564ba01_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iYyLdC)IMG_20200418_151802 (https://flic.kr/p/2iYyLdC) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

and just to be awkward, there was a call on faceache for a used splitter for an NSX that was missing one..... awkward as the call went out the day after i'd chopped it into small pieces, after it was getting in the way in the garage!!! typical!!


some bits turned up from Christian at ATR,

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49867718312_a5f9ea388d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iYD6hL)IMG_20200502_094133 (https://flic.kr/p/2iYD6hL) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


(i had ordered new metal bracket bits, but they turned out to be on back order from honda, ETA July!!!) so complete units instead gets me new lenses too, so not all bad!

a quick clean and tidy up,

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49867718362_5157c7bd04_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iYD6iC)IMG_20200502_175643 (https://flic.kr/p/2iYD6iC) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


and they were ready to go on.... (made the ones that had been cleaned up look a tad poor!!!!)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49867718462_b4635e7772_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iYD6km)IMG_20200503_131712 (https://flic.kr/p/2iYD6km) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

[britlude]

another niggle was the door panel/card tab debacle.... i'd tried a couple of methods to repair them, and whilst it lasted a while, it was never actually fixed sufficiently, so with petrol money saved this year, i treated myself to a new set of tabs... it was a case of right place at the right time to bag these!!!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49866874218_b239e7ef2e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iYyLnq)IMG_20200507_114826 (https://flic.kr/p/2iYyLnq) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


these were swapped on, and the door cards refitted..... well, would have been if one of the old mounting screws, with a broken tab hadn't decided to go round in the plastic insert.... by which i mean the insert had gone round with the screw!!! after a faff,i got it out, but then needed an insert... step forward the 3d printer (that i'm still trying to get to grips with!) and a quick design and print, i have a replacement insert or 3.....

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49867718732_a393a44d79_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iYD6q1)IMG_20200507_144354 (https://flic.kr/p/2iYD6q1) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


another favorite for the NSX is this bit....

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49867409671_74bfa8d00c_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iYBvxn)IMG_20200506_174854 (https://flic.kr/p/2iYBvxn) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


and this....

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49867409696_7cfa7d3716_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iYBvxN)IMG_20200506_174859 (https://flic.kr/p/2iYBvxN) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


unfortunately this was the final one..... so out with the printer again, i have......

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49867409781_37212b0443_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iYBvzg)IMG_20200506_174927 (https://flic.kr/p/2iYBvzg) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


i then had to take 2mm off the length of the base, to allow space for the replacement base thickness, and gorilla glued them on!!!! its not perfect but better than nothing, and it was printed in 'draft' not 'fine'... but as no one is going to see it!!!!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49867594661_164076918e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iYCswR)2020-05-07_07-54-12 (https://flic.kr/p/2iYCswR) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

anyhoo, i took out the evil metal clips of evilness and flattened the evil spikes so it wasn't so viciously held..... seems to do the trick!!!! :)

[wixer]

Excellent use of the 3D printer Jon. Here's a photo of my 3D printed door handle, (thought I'd posted a photo before but couldn't find a post). It's been on the car for 2 years now & was only intended as a prototype, hence why I never painted it, with the intention of getting some 3D printed in carbon-fibre but it's lasting well, so no plans at the moment to replace it.

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[britlude]

blimey, bet that took some modelling!!!! and makes my print look even poorer!!! lol

[britlude]

As you may remember, or probably not, when I replaced my rusty shockers, I swapped in replacement units…. But did note at the time that the bump stops were less than ideal….


https://live.staticflickr.com/1758/28804633718_62465c22d8_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/KTnh4Q)IMG_20180608_161911 (https://flic.kr/p/KTnh4Q) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


So it was always the plan to fit new when the opportunity arose…. I also wanted to swap back the old springs, as I’d noted they were a different colour code on them, and they seemed softer in the real world…. So new rubbers were ordered, guess where from….


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49973263237_53ff5d5526_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Y37R)IMG_20200529_162302 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Y37R) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Great service from Christian, competitive pricing and quick delivery!



I stripped the old springs off the shockers, and started the clean/restoration…. Stripped, wire brushed,


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49973262847_6e499ccd1f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Y318)IMG_20200524_111633 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Y318) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


rust stabilised, and then painted with some flex agent to prevent flaking…..


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49972482213_1631c3babd_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8U2WV)IMG_20200526_093039 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8U2WV) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Suspension unit off the car and disassembled….


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49973262922_dd7fbd3a2b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Y32q)IMG_20200530_134133 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Y32q) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Shiny new bump stop on…


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49973263092_c996b981df_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Y35m)IMG_20200530_134256 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Y35m) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


here's the replacement and the original... visually identical, different colour coding, can't measure the wire thickness because of age, paint, etc!!! and no kit to do a compression/weight check! and there's nothing on the interweb about the colour codes, apart from various forum posts asking the significance of the colour codes... seems no-one knows!!!!!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49973001091_8b64e1231e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8WGc6)IMG_20200530_134137 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8WGc6) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

and reassemble!!!!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49972544368_c80f01ff4d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Umqy)2020-06-05_10-41-35 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Umqy) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

[britlude]

Anyhoo, repeat for the rear…..one side was ok, the other….


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49973001221_9204e2b76a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8WGek)IMG_20200531_203406 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8WGek) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


Spring comparison….. the marking follow the same pattern….


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49973263242_a3612bc913_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Y37W)IMG_20200531_201303 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Y37W) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


And after a struggle, back in!!!!


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49973001311_9ba86c6450_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8WGfT)IMG_20200601_203830 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8WGfT) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


To get them back in I took out the antiroll bar, to get a bit more space, so de-rusted and painted that too….


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49972482598_d3af812b91_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8U34y)IMG_20200602_103821 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8U34y) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

the drop links still had the yellow factory marks on the nuts/bar,so i suspect they are the originals, that'll explain why the nuts didn't want to undo!!!! hence why they were painted in situ!

While that was out, I treated the steel mounting plates…. A light sand blast to derust and a powder coat….
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49973263422_abbff5bb1b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Y3b3)IMG_20200602_115834 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Y3b3) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49973079381_d04d149bb0_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8X6sV)2020-06-05_10-47-37 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8X6sV) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


All looking a bit healthier!!!


https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49972482608_c0435fee3b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8U34J)IMG_20200602_142826 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8U34J) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

yes, i did recoat the handbrake cable brackets black!

[britlude]

over the course of lockdown and a for a couple of weeks before, the car was having a starting issue... turn the key and i'll hear various clicks around the car from the drivers seat, but not turn over.... cycle a few times and it'll start... ignition switch electrics replaced, (as i had one in stock and it's the usual cause) and it still occurred..... so as i previously mentioned, i cleaned the starter contacts and ordered a new overhaul kit just in case..... as it's a relatively straight forward job, out came the starter motor....

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49973263482_deb18e5793_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Y3c5)IMG_20200604_170915 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Y3c5) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

... for anyone that doesn't know what a jdm starter looks like!

it was then stripped of it's high current contactor and the bits compared...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49972482738_cabac65994_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8U36Y)IMG_20200604_171728 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8U36Y) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49973001546_340a47e533_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8WGjW)IMG_20200604_171226 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8WGjW) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

some erosion as expected, but nothing too severe..... anyway, all reassembled and put back in the car.....


turn the key... click.... again, click........ again, turns over started fine.... so pretty much the same symptom... that was yesterday.....

today i shall go and hotwire the starter direct to make sure that is ok, but looks like i've got to go looking for the secret hidden starter relay somewhere behind the glovebox, the only piece of the jigsaw never changed!!!!!!!

why hide one relay when there are empty spaces under the bonnet with all the other relays, i will never know!!!




edit..... just hotwired the starter and it turned the engine instantly, so all good there..... tried the key, and that was ok too... strange, as yesterday it stuttered and i haven't charged the battery... so solenoid low current connection?

i'll hunt down the starter relay anyway, but just to make things awkward, my electrical troubleshooting manual is for a LHD car, so the pictures of component locations are not necessarily accurate, or simply reversed!

[britlude]

disappointingly not there....
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49973461936_fe576ab121_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Z4bG)2020-06-05_01-48-19 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Z4bG) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


even mirrored for RHD, i have a big empty space... the search continues! probably have to disconnect the low current terminal on the starter and follow the clicking noise with the key turn....

[britlude]

after more searching and a well timed helping hint from Kaz....

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49973994741_7b42cc0187_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j92MyZ)IMG-20200605-WA0000 (https://flic.kr/p/2j92MyZ) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr


i had an extra clue to find the illusive relay, even disconnecting the starter and interior fuse 7 to stop all the other starter circuit clicks to help isolate the relay..... there it is, hiding above the sub speaker....

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49973475388_7644f4b714_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Z8bC)IMG_20200605_144232 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Z8bC) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

of course, it's bolted on, so the sub has to come out to get to it...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49974252787_65965076db_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j947h4)IMG_20200605_144601 (https://flic.kr/p/2j947h4) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

so,it came out, stripped, tested and the contacts given a quick clean...
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49973475638_79f5f86771_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Z8fW)IMG_20200605_145334 (https://flic.kr/p/2j8Z8fW) by jon sutherland (https://www.flickr.com/photos/152809076@N06/), on Flickr

some grime come off the contacts, just drawing a piece of paper through the lightly closed contacts.... anyhoo, all back together between showers, and the car seems to be behaving as it should.... hopefully that's that sorted then!


and we now know, because it's not mentioned anywhere on the internet, that the starter cut relay on a JDM RHD car is on the bottom of the passenger footwell computer rack, just above the sub speaker!!!!

[Heineken]

Thanks, that information might come handy at some point in time :)