My current vert is slowing getting into the shape I would like it to be in. The first order of business was to replace the top. There was a 12 inch slit in the passenger side that was held together with fishing line and silicone. It is amazing what some people will do to a car. That was not all that was wrong with the top but simply the worst part of it. Here is a shot in the process of replacing the top.



Next up(what I addressed this weekend) was to take care of the insanely bad rock chips and rather large gash in the front end. Here is a good horror shot to start.



After a few hours work it was starting to smooth out.







And then after starting to shoot the paint.



As soon as I can get it all cleaned up and buffed Ill get some finished pics up.

 

damn thats alot of rock chips...someone used to tailgate alot or somethin! looks nice tho!

 

Wow, great job, looks brand new. Did you use the factory Brilliant Black paint?

 

where did you get the top from?

 

Nope. I actually just used a generic black that matches pretty well. When I get some good finished pictures I'll try to get some closer up to show how it matches.

 

From a guy in Arlington. It is a used top with about 60k or so miles on it. He is a great guy to work with.

Website
http://www.revvinsevens.com/

Ebay
http://myworld.ebay.com/mrmazda7/

 

clean vert

 

thanks for that info!

 

Oh really? Do you have the number of name for the paint? Looks perfect and Is probably a lot cheaper then Brilliant Black.

 

Duplicolor BSP200 Jet Black. Available on the shelf at Auto Zone. I also used the duplicolor clear (BSP300 Clear Coat) for this project.

 

Looks a lot better man. Clean vert!

 

when the car is out in the sun that is when the color difference will become apparent, still leaps and bounds better then it was

 

Here is the final result. It still needs to be buffed and I really need to clean the car but the weather has been crazy. I woke up to an ice storm this morning and then this afternoon it warmed up about 30 degrees more but the wind was blowing about 40mph.

 

True, if you really look for it. It matches plenty well enough for a 203,000 mile toy though. This weekend should be nice so hopefully I will get a chance to clean it up a bit more and maybe do a small photo shoot.

 

It doesn't look too off. You can really tell in the last pic, it just needs to be wetsanded and buffed. Not as shiny as it should be. Not bad for duplicolor paint matching.

 

Damn Bradley, I had seen this thread before, but I didn't realize it was you...

Nice work! The rest of the car looks pretty clean as well.

What are your plans for it?

 

Wow, I probably wouldn't even notice a difference if I wasn't looking for it (I still barely notice it, but I'm no body man). It sure looks a hell of a lot better than a bunch of rock chips .

 

Most of the plans I have right now are cosmetic. I just picked up a new rear deck, windblocker, and door panels for it. I am hoping to replace all of that soon. The next thing up to address is the seats. The driver's side seat is REALLY worn. I guess that is to be expected on a vert with 205k miles though...