Just bought a Montego Blue 1994 RX-7 this weekend and noticed when I got it home that at the bottom of all body panels, the texture of the paint changes from smooth to a rough texture. There is no transition point either. It goes from smooth to bumpy for like the last 6 inches of body panel.

Does anyone else have this? If so, why is it like this?

 

My FD also has this. It is a plastic finish sprayed on to protect from rock chipping of the paint. I'm not sure if all models for all destinations have this or if its a Dealer applied product. My FD being a Canadian model has it. Maybe yours originated in Canada or because your winters are much the same as central Canada thats why you got it, not sure. Being on the Westcoast where snow may occur twice in a winter for a day or so, plasic protector isn't really needed.

 

I never seen a FD that didn't have that.

 

Thanks for the help guys. Glad to hear that it is supposed to be like that.

 

It helps keep your car from going airborne....just enough turbulence to keep you from orbit...

 

Mine is like this- a VR- throw some Zaino on it and polish it up- and you shouldnt be able to tell the difference unless youre right up to it...

 

yep, it's supposed to be like that.

My guess is that its so that when mud or dirt or whatever
splatter there, it doesnt mess up the paint.
Thats just what it seems like to me though.

 

I believe it is called a stone guard coating, and is shot onto the bodywork before priming/painting. The finish prevents rocks/debris from chipping the paint down low, apparently. In the old days they applied sheets of clear acrylic to protect paint. Bodyshop guys here would probably know the correct term for it.

 

i'm pretty sure Toadman is right. everyone i've talked to said its prevent rock chips

 

Has anybody removed this? My car is at the body shop and I'm thinking about dumping it.

 

Mazda "high reflex" paint

which chips like no tomorrow, esp on the '93s

 

technically you could sand it off, if you get skirts they go right over it no?

 

You can sand it off and re-paint. My friend has done it.

 

Did he have any problem with the paint chipping? I have never noticed this stuff on other cars, but then again, it's not very obvious.

 

I removed mine for the paintjob this spring. Not getting any chips but I installed feed sideskirts at the same time. It looks much slicker without it.

 

Great. Do you have any pictures you can post of it?

 

It can be removed quicker with a hot putty knife or some delicate work with a scraper, and propane torch. Just watch your heat, after it begins to bubble, flame up is right around the corner. Takes about 1hr per side to do a good job removing.

I wish I had some pics, makes it look much cleaner, even if is still only in primer LOL

 

I seem to be too old to learn how to post pictures here.

 

If you sand it off it will take forever use a hot air gun and scrape it off, when hot air is directly applied to it, it turns very flexible like soft rubber it can then be removed with a scraper just like you would use on wallpaper.

We get requested to take it off about 10 MX5/Miatas a year.

 

I allways assumed it was to protect the paint from harmfull brake dust during "spirited" driving.

 

Nope its definitly Stone Chip Guard, we sometimes have to replace it on accident repairs and on the tin it reads "Stone Gard".