coletrain777

So,
This is my first post on Honda-Tech and I thought I would kick it off by posting a few pics of the rust repair I am getting ready to complete on my 92' VX. Sorry I don't have any before pics, but lets just say the rust was taking over on the rear quarters, front lower quarters, and rockers. Most of the rust was "just bubbling" but of course that means that the backside of the panel is pretty much gone.

I decided to do the job right and I installed both quarter panel patches, and fabricated and installed the lower front quarters (the curved portion that transitions into the curve on the door), and the rockers (I know they make these, but why not make them myself...it's pretty simple). I also cut out a portion of the lower door sill on each side and fabricated new ones so that I knew all the rust and weak surrounding metal was infact gone. In these pics I just have everything tacked into place and not finish welded but you get the idea. The hardest part was fab'ing the lower front quarters b/c they have a compound curve in them that slopes from front to back (not too difficult really). Sorry again for no "before" pics, I never thought to take any . If you have any questions just ask and I will be happy to answer.

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coletrain777

As a side note... I own a body shop and I love working on these cars. Most vehicles are twice their size and take forever to get ready for paint... these take about the same amount of time as 5-6 motorcycles! I will continue to post pics as I get closer to paint.

24TEN

iTrader: (2)

Looks good so far.

Int3graz

thinking about taking off my side molding and rocker panel molding to check for any rust starting soon... did your clips survive taking all of these pieces?

coletrain777

Most of my clips did not survive, but I didnt try very hard to save them ( will order new).

lilboxx

where did you get the repair panels at?

joeshmo

fixmyrust.com.
Cost me ~100$ shipped for two new rear quarters for my 98lx, they are well made.

Int3graz

hey if you find out the part number for those clips let me know I'm having a hard time finding them for some reason...

lilboxx

awesome thanks i had another website to get the panels but they didnt have the rockers which i need badly now just to order the panels and buy a welder and im good to go lol

coletrain777

Just an update on the bodywork progress...

coletrain777

About 1 hr of finish sanding and then these panels and the rest of the car will be buried in a few coats of poly-primer (4 coats on areas with bodywork, 2 coats on the rest). Poly-primer is an extremely high build primer (actually a spray filler) that allows you to block the car out lazer straight without several priming sessions. This will be sanded with 80 grit, then 180 grit. I then will spray the normal 2K urethane primer that will be blocked with 320, then 600 grit. Then... it's spray time! Still deciding on what color to shoot, would like to use up some excess product in the shop... but I may just go with the stock milano red.

redm3turbo

you shouldve took 2 mins to mask off the interior with plastic....and save the detailer 2 hours of blowing air into the inside trying to get all the dust out, lol.

(Former detailer in high school) god I hated that job

coletrain777

This car has been torn apart for over a year... it will need extensive cleaning I tore it apart for a quick respray, got busy with other things, then decided to do the rust repair and body work the right way (that way it will last 15 years rather than 15 months). It's funny how much time will be invested in this hatch (and a stock VX none the less), I will end up having 80+ hours in it by the time it is done.

So what do you guys think about color... Milano Red or should I spice it up a little bit???

redm3turbo

Im painting an older civic myself at the moment (and when I say myself...I mean....myself)

and I was actually thinking about spicing it up a little bit....like a real nice blue or something.

Then I was thinking about it....thats going to do two things, attract attention...and get noticed. Neither is high on my list.

So, Im going to do either a flat black, or a gloss black. I fixed all the rest, and etc...however I was thinking about it...I dont want to get it TOO nice, or else Ill have problems. I got this older EJ so I could daily drive it...and not have any issues.

So... if its for DD duties, Id say, milano red. If its for anything else....spice it up. Personally Im almost kicking myself for fixing up the old civic since now Ill have a 95 civic thats in mint condition, which is probably more appealing to thieves then a riced out one.

CivicxTree754

Nice build..i wish I could weld! lol. But as far as your paint I think you should stay subtle and treat it just like a sleeper. Clean as paint kinda looks stock. Feel me? Good luck and thanks for the great info on the body work. This will def. be a sticky thread some day or at least subscribed in my book! Keep the info and pics coming.

coletrain777

redm3turbo - Have you ever done paint and body work before? The reason I ask is b/c black is a killer color as far as having the underlying body work razor-straight!!! Black will show any and all (and I mean all flaws). The good thing about black is that it is by far the easiest color to shoot. You can have horrible gun technique and not worry about black, as long as you get good coverage your good to go. Sorry if you are experienced with paint and body and you know all this, just thought I would mention it just in case Also will you be shooting BC/CC or SS paint? I usually only do higher end restorations and repair, so BC/CC is 99% of what I shoot... but if you are shooting black there is nothing better than a SS black urethane (it just looks better). I wish I could do a better job of explaining exactly why, but in the end it looks less "plastic" and has a deeper reflection (you would have to be really experienced to tell the difference though). Anyway, if you (or anyone else) have any questions just let me know, I am always happy to help when I can.

I will update pics tomorrow as I will be shooting primer on the front fenders, doors, hood, and possibly the rest of the body (but probably not). I am a pastor and have a wedding to perform so that will cut into my time tomorrow. Thanks for the compliments and comments, keep them coming.

coletrain777

Oh, and I also got my quarters from fixmyrust.com. Pretty decent product for the price and fit fairly well. If I didn't want the challenge of making my own front lower quarters and rocker panels I would have bought their full quarters and rockers (would save a lot of time) and just welded them in.

I think I will go with the Milano Red (or at least something close to the stock color)... maybe GM Torch Red, Viper Red, or Porsche Guards Red???

donfabien04

Nice work with the rust repair. I'm also planning on doing it on my 94ex as soon as I get some space to work on it.
For the color, a chevy orange really looks good on these hatch backs, but at the same time it will attract attention, so I think it's a matter of choice.
Good luck!

coletrain777

The good thing is that I live in the Midwest, in the middle of nowhere (25 miles from milk,gas, etc...) so theft is VERY rare. The only problem is that if something does get stolen here it is GONE... b/c they are probably 40+ miles away with it. Choices, choices

coletrain777

Well... The weather here is horrible today and I didn't want to heat the paint booth just to shoot this primer, so I spent a couple hours working on one of my other (many) projects. I just picked up this 68' BSA 650 Chop a few weeks ago from the original owner who chopped it in 69'. The bike had been sitting for several years when I got it so last night I went out and rewired it, put a new carb on it, and VIOLA... It's a runner! Here's a video for you if you care. Just click on the pic to see the video.

Stonecoldn69

Just a question on your inner rear wheel wells, did you have to replace those as well. I have to do the exact same fun enjoying job as well. Was just wondering if there is exact replacements for those as well or its a make your own wheel wells. GJ btw

hyperblu

<--- wouldn't touch a rusty car with a stick. Thank god my hatch is from hawaii and the south US it's whole life.

Dontoh

how did parts from fixmyrust.com fit? you happy with them?

coletrain777

The inner wheel wells were a little rough, some places I patched and others I didn't (going to seam seal from the inside).

The parts from fixmyrust.com fit pretty well, especially for aftermarket parts. They fit well enough that there would be no need in my opinion to get them anywhere else (hows that for advertising... they should send me some free parts

coletrain777

I believe that you can purchase wheel wells, but they are easy enough to patch it would be a waste of money in my opinion. Just make sure that they follow the contour of the quarter panel lip and you are good to go (it doesn't have to be pretty, no one can see it).