body kit install

[ericsbestshot]

Wondering if anyone has any experience installing body kits. I've got one for my 2000 miata. Wondering weather i need to get it painted first or installed first. I found a shop that will paint and install for $700. It's sprayglo. it seems like they do good work.

[RotorNutFD3S]

Installation first is the wise idea. That way you can make sure that it fits correctly, lines match up, and any modifications can be done before paint is applied.
Not a bad price considering.

[ericsbestshot]

considering what?

[RotorNutFD3S]

Considering the work they're going to do for you...

[ericsbestshot]

Oh so does anyone have experience installing one. if so some time in the future would you be willing to help install it. Really don't know what goes into putting one on. Also don't know what it would take to get someones help. So if you have experience let me know and let me know what your price would be to help me out. Just keep in mind this might not be happening for a while.

[nickt93]

I installed this Bomex replica kit on my MR2 back in 2001. The kit wasn't the best quality and I had no experience at all with body kit installations, but was able to get it fit no problem at all. The kit was fiberglass, which didn't offer any flexibility...I would expect urethane to be easier to work with. I also agree with Eric's suggestion about getting it mounted first. After I mounted the kit I sanded the car, masked it up, and took it to <gasp> MAACO and had them spray DuPont base clear (BMW Avus Blue) - got the whole car painted for $700 and it looked awesome! I'd be willing to give you some help on the install if you need it.

Here's a pic:

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/3306/signaturebp4.jpg (http://img502.imageshack.us/my.php?image=signaturebp4.jpg)

[MoD_Scotty]

$700 seems like a good deal.

The best thing to do would be to test fit everything beforehand. That way if there is anything that needs to be trimmed, or otherwise manipulated...either you can do it or you can mention it to them before they install it (especially if you're not comfortable modifying the kit yourself).

[Doppelgänger]

$700 isn't bad. What they'll do is fit it to the car, take it back off, paint it and re-install it. That's the right way to do it. Painting it on the car will almost always end up with overspray in places. Also, have the whole car buffed with a good polish/wax after the kit i installed. This will bring the rest of the car up to a gloss that matches the fresh paint of the new bodywork.

What color is your car BTW?

[tbone heller]

I was told by the guy that installed my side skirts & front bumper, to set them outside in the direct sunlight for a few week until you get ready to install them. This time allowed the fiberglass to "cure" before any body work was done to them. I have had no problems with them. Although I baked the hood before painting, It is showing signs of shrinkage. I wish that I would have waited a few weeks to paint it after I completed the fiberglass work.

[jesseealexander]

pics of car and said bodykit

[deerock]

way pics please, I've installed a few kits myself, none of which were painted though..

[ericsbestshot]

well the color is brilliant black and as far as i can tell there is lil to no fading.
The picture does not do the car justice. Picture taken with cell phone. This is after a zaino treatment and it's much nicer in real life

you can see the body kit at this link
http://www.mx5atlanta.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166&highlight=garage+vary

[deerock]

It looks like a pretty easy install. Maybe bring it to the tech day?

[Doppelgänger]

ahhhh, you've been keeping the car very clean, then ignore what I said about freshening the car up to match the fresh paint. You know what I mean though, there are a lot of people who do stuff and don't care about the details...but the details make the difference between a clean execution and total failure.

[ericsbestshot]

there is the picture of the car
it's big and i'd have to drill some holes to match the hole from the stock pieces. also does not have the holes for the side markers. And also don't know what i need to get so everything can be installed correctly. But again IHNFC (I have no freakin clue). uncharted territory for me.

[ericsbestshot]

oh i just hate it when my car is dirty and i don't mind cleaning it often. only sometimes when it's cold out.

[Doppelgänger]

drilling the holes for the mounts on the front bumper isn't hard at all. I've never mess with side skirts that weren't factory, so I can't help you on that..nor the rear bumper add-on. Drilling the holes and such are things that should be included if you were quoted for fitting and painting...they do all of that for you.

Oh and don't worry about the front marker lights, I don't have them on my real GV bumper either. The only bumper I have seen that does keep tham are the RB bumpers.

[ericsbestshot]

well i guess that the side markers would not look as good if they were there. I never noticed that you didn't have any. I just thought i was a law sorta thing that they had to be there.

[ericsbestshot]

BTW the kit is made of some kind of FRP composite which is flexible and durable at the same time. this is the link for the website that the kit is from.
http://www.aitracing.com/shop/index.php?main_page=material

[ericsbestshot]

what does it take to take the bumper off? (got a ton of bolts holding it on?) Maybe take it to the tech meet and see if yall can help me drill all the holes and do a test fit. There is a chance the bumper may fit in the car.