My 1971 Mazda RX2 Coupe Restoration and my new JNT!!

Mo's · **Posted:** Sat Apr 30, 2011 5:12 am

Looking good mate! Love the relaxed approach you have to it... I have a series one RX2 coupe here that I might get started on after the white R100...

The rx2 coupe rear quarter is the most amazing rear quarter Mazda ever produced

jdmrx2 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:12 am

Mo's wrote:

Looking good mate! Love the relaxed approach you have to it... I have a series one RX2 coupe here that I might get started on after the white R100...

The rx2 coupe rear quarter is the most amazing rear quarter Mazda ever produced

Yeah, have to agree about the quarters - very nice design....

I am trying not to get too upset about not getting it painted.....I have owned it for nearly 10 years, it was in storage for a bit over 5 of those, and have spent the last couple of years working hard at it, so whats 3 or so more months. It will be finished eventually, I haven't rushed it so far, so why start now. But in saying that, I would really like to take it to All Japan Day next year......

How many RX Mazda's do you have Mo........I am jealous.....would love to own one of each, but the prices they are reaching these days make sthat idea a financial nightmare.....maybe I should just settle for mine and mach green series 1 RX7 would be nice :lol:

jdmrx2 · **Posted:** Sun May 01, 2011 5:50 am

Just had a look at the weather forecast for this week, friday is looking at low 20's, bugger all humidity and low wind speed......fingers crossed it stays this way and I will be able to post up some pics of an orange RX2....

Last week of holidays this week, back to work for my last day with them on Monday and heading into a new job back in the automotive industry on Tuesday, so would be good if I can get this done by week's end....

jdmrx2 · **Posted:** Wed May 04, 2011 3:51 am

Weather still looking good for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so car WILL be painted on one of those days!!

It's sitting quietly waiting paitently......

Shed is cleaned out, mopped, vacuumed and lined with funky orange drop sheets :lol:

Next update will be with paint.....

RestoreMaz · **Posted:** Wed May 04, 2011 4:31 am

Wow, getting close now....keep the pics coming.

ewokracing · **Posted:** Wed May 04, 2011 10:48 pm

What's the new Job benn? (I thought you worked at the big mob starting with R?)

jdmrx2 · **Posted:** Fri May 06, 2011 5:03 am

Well as promised, the next update would be about paint.

After a LONG day in the shed, the car is finally orange.

Has come out pretty good, couple of little issues (ie bugs) but nothing major.

Layed down a light coat first at 1:1.5, a second at 1:1.5, then die 2 laps of the car and went over all the esges twice to get good depth in those areas.

Then went 2 more coats of colour at 1:2 to make sure I had good coverage.

Backed this up with clear, 2 coats at 1:1.5, recoated all edged same as I did with the colour, then 2 more coats at 1:1.5, then 2 coats at about 20/80 to help flatten off the peel.

Finish has a bit of peel, but easily 2000'd and buffed out. At th last minute before painting today I stripped my gun of the 1.4 nozzle setup and swapped it all over for a 1.7 setup out of another gun. Got less peel than usual, so happy with the change.

Going to let the shell sit for approx 6 weeks before colour sanding and buffing, but will start reassembling undeneath.

Anyway, enough dribble, I will let the pics do the talking.....SOme are with the flash on , some are off, car looks 2 different colours pending on the flash....

Actually feels like I am getting somewhere with the car now, after all these years

Mo's · **Posted:** Fri May 06, 2011 5:06 am

Big big pat on the back for you Benn

Looks absolutely disgusting in a good way

RestoreMaz · **Posted:** Fri May 06, 2011 5:16 am

Cut it back straight away...and then let it sit for a few weeks before buffing. other wise it will be harder to sand.

Looks like you did a very good job on the body work..nice and straight.

Blur · **Posted:** Fri May 06, 2011 5:26 am

Well done mate, looks sensational!

rx2stu · **Posted:** Fri May 06, 2011 6:14 am

That looks awesome. well done mate go the Rx2!

jdmrx2 · **Posted:** Fri May 06, 2011 6:17 am

Thanks for the feedback guys. Pretty happy with how its come out. Its pretty straight, although I have spotted a very small dent in the RHS quarter at the top that I have missed, not sure how that didn't show up with guide coat, but I'm trying not going to upset about it.

Panel gaps have come up pretty good too. I was looking at the Wheels Magazine last night that had the road test of the RX2 Coupe in it and the gaps and boot / bonnet alignment on the then brand new car was shite to say the least.....

Considering what I started with, I'm a happy boy, and the fact that I did it for $19200 less than the crash shop, it will have to do!! I'm sure it's not as straight as your 323, but I am certainly no pro, just a backyarder with a dream!!

Can't wait to get the pinstipe on, really needs something to break up all the orange. It's actually starting to look like a car now, which is great for motivation.

More updates as I start putting the car back together.....very carefully!!

cobra · **Posted:** Fri May 06, 2011 6:19 am

Love it! Brings back memories of mine!

gypsy · **Posted:** Fri May 06, 2011 6:54 am

Looks good Benn, should buff up real nice. I cant wait to paint mine.

Ontrack · **Posted:** Fri May 06, 2011 6:30 pm

Awesome stuff. Looks sensational with some colour. The fun bit is putting it back together.

RX-2Fan · **Posted:** Fri May 06, 2011 8:25 pm

It looks amazing

turbo323re · **Posted:** Fri May 06, 2011 8:28 pm

nice job m8 looks killa..... :tu:

jdmrx2 · **Posted:** Sat May 07, 2011 3:26 am

Thanks for the support guys!! Was planning on 2000 wet rubbing the car tomorrow, but seeing as it is Mother's day, I don't like my chances.....Off to Melbourne for the week for work, so it will have to wait.

My 3 inch buffing set has just arrived, so will be interested to see how much easier it is to work with in the engine bay and door jambs.

Had to fix up a minor cockup on the front apron. It looks like the thinners stretched the plastic I used to mask the bay and front while I sprayed and has sagged onto the paint in 2 small sections on the apron just below the bar. Wet rubbed it back this morning to get it flat again and setup the gun with a very narrow fan and low pressure and just blended it back in. 9 coats again to keep it consistent :lol:

B1600 · **Posted:** Tue May 10, 2011 4:05 pm

Top looking job.

Camshaft · **Posted:** Fri May 13, 2011 11:10 am

Looks amazing! If you keep this up I may have to sell my MGs and buy an old Mazda to restore, this is downright inspiring. :lol:

My 1971 Mazda RX2 Coupe Restoration and my new JNT!!

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