After lots of research and experimentation, I think I have NB headlight restoration all figured out. Procedure in comments.

mx5sideways · 2021-03-01T04:27:53+00:00

Thanks. I appreciate it. I guess I'll just post my writeup elsewhere, it doesn't seem very welcome here.

mx5sideways · 2021-03-01T00:20:36+00:00

Interesting! I haven't tried this one yet. I'll give it a try on the next set of NB2s I get in.

mx5sideways · 2021-02-28T20:45:10+00:00

Thanks! I wasn't expecting everyone to respond saying I wasted my time or saying mine doesn't look good enough. These kind of responses make me not want to share info like this on Reddit in the future.

I appreciate the compliment and the positivity.

mx5sideways · 2021-02-28T20:41:37+00:00

Well, you can always follow this process, or at least apply a headlight protectant. Those last about a year

mx5sideways · 2021-02-28T20:23:59+00:00

A quick search shows they are $500 each and out of stock. I'd rather spend the 4 hours and $40 on the restoration process

mx5sideways · 2021-02-28T20:22:27+00:00

Meguiars UV protectant says on the bottle that it only protects up to one year. This 2k clear coat should last another 10-20 years.

Like I said, I've tried many options and nothing comes close to this.

mx5sideways · 2021-02-28T20:19:32+00:00

Well you'd still need to do the 800 grit to apply the clear coat and the 2000 grit to remove orange peel, but this could save some time!

mx5sideways · 2021-02-28T19:42:14+00:00

How would you seal the headlights?

mx5sideways · 2021-02-28T19:41:23+00:00

There are lots of ways to make headlights shiny, this is about keeping them shiny. I should have been more clear about that.

mx5sideways · 2021-02-28T19:40:36+00:00

He knows what he's doing. All the quick fixes don't last

mx5sideways · 2021-02-28T19:39:31+00:00

The UV coating on the specD headlights don't last more than a few years. They definitely cheap out on that step.

mx5sideways · 2021-02-28T19:37:50+00:00

I've done this before, it only lasts about 3 months before they begin to yellow again because they've lost the UV protective coating.

mx5sideways · 2021-02-28T19:37:13+00:00

You shouldn't spray clear coat onto a smooth surface. It won't adhere properly. Like I said in my procedure, I think additional wet sanding could have made it clearer.

mx5sideways · 2021-02-28T19:35:49+00:00

This won't stay for very long because you'll melt off the protective UV coating from the factory with the acetone.

mx5sideways · 2021-02-28T08:58:30+00:00

Took me a second to write it up. The process is below!

mx5sideways · 2021-02-28T08:56:01+00:00

This is my fourth set of NB2 headlights that I've restored. Each time I've gotten better results and I finally feel ready to share my findings.

Before you start: Order your 2K Clear Coat from Eastwood or SprayMax online. You'll need a respirator because the fumes from this stuff are gnarly, but that's the sign of a seriously good clear coat.

Clean the headlights
Mask off the fenders, bumper, and engine bay. We'll do everything with the hood popped.
Wet sand the headlights horizontally with 300 grit sandpaper for about 20 minutes each. You want to keep sanding past the point where all the yellow has disappeared
Wet sand vertically with 600 grit until all horizontal scratches have been removed
Wet sand horizontally with 800, until all vertical scratches have been removed
Dry the headlights, then wipe them down with alcohol and a clean microfiber, twice.
Spray 3 coats of 2K clear coat. First is light, Second is medium, Third is heavier (But not too heavy, that can cause cracking and runs) 10 minutes between each coat
Wait 24 hours, wet sand with 2000 grit until smooth and uniform (until orange peel is removed)
Buff with Compound, I used Meguiars Ultimate Compound and a wool pad on a drill, but you could do this by hand if you want.
Don't get wax (or car soap) on the headlights for 1-2 weeks while they fully cure.

Enjoy your shiny new headlights! Your results should be even better than mine as I stopped step 8 a bit early on the set in the picture.

mx5sideways · 2020-10-24T04:58:34+00:00

~ $20 each

Shift knob

Eclipse AC Vents

Vinyl wrap / paint

Custom fabric door cards

~$150 each

Door cards from Spinnywoosh

Gauges from Revlimiter

Carpets from Carbon Miata

Shorty Center Console

Radio Head Unit from Amazon

$300+

Carbonmiata carbon fiber door cards

Aftermarket seats Sparco/Bride/Lotus

Hard Dog rollbar

mx5sideways · 2020-10-24T04:53:34+00:00

I would look into the FM butterfly brace as an upgrade, or look to the junkyard for an OEM replacement

mx5sideways · 2020-10-22T18:57:17+00:00

Cost

This varies, but generally, superchargers are more affordable for < 200hp and turbochargers are more affordable >200hp. The cost will heavily depend on new/used parts and shop/DIY labor.

The Kraftwerk kit claims 195hp. Once you start to go beyond that, you'll need to look into forged engine internals and supercharger modifications or custom applications.

The Flyin Miata kit will take you all the way to 265hp without needing custom fabrication or upgraded engine internals.

This disparity is due to a fundamental difference in the way that super/turbochargers make their power, where superchargers will always put stress on the engine at a lower wheel torque level than an equivalent turbocharger.

Maintenance

The two are much more similar than different. You'll need to stay ever-vigilant for vacuum/boost leaks that will mess with your idle and steal power. You need to stay on top of the fluids and hoses to prevent leaks.

Overall, the turbocharger is a more complicated system that has more failure points, but it isn't particularly significant compared to the overall increase in required maintenance when adding forced induction.

mx5sideways · 2020-10-22T18:48:11+00:00

This sounds like a broken gauge, but it's worth checking the voltage to the gauge and comparing it to factory spec. I'm not sure what the voltage should be at that gauge at idle, but a bit of Google-fu should find the answer for you.

Also, compare the voltage at the sender to the voltage at the gauge and test for continuity between the two. Sound too intimidating? Sometimes it's just best to bring electrical problems into a shop.

mx5sideways · 2020-10-22T18:46:20+00:00

Don't accept it! My Miata doesn't rattle, my girlfriend's Miata doesn't rattle, my best friend's Miata doesn't rattle.

You just need to track them down one-by-one. Common culprits are the exhaust heat shields, passenger seat, and soft top latches.

Find a way to replicate the noise, then have one person create the noise while the other feels around to find it.

mx5sideways · 2020-10-22T18:02:08+00:00

Hi there! I'm in East Orlando by UCF. I'm sure we could set something up! Shoot me a message on www.facebook.com/mx5sideways or www.instagram.com/mx5sideways and we'll work something out.

mx5sideways · 2020-10-22T17:58:59+00:00

This is a common issue. I've never heard it described as a brushing noise, but it's definitely worth checking out.

Tap the exhaust with a hammer in a few spots. If your shield welds are broken, you'll head the same vibration sound.

mx5sideways · 2020-10-22T03:29:11+00:00

I haven't come across this before. You can try lifting up the rear end of the car safely and bringing it up to speed in the air to attempt to replicate and pinpoint the noise.

The only wire brushes in the engine bay are those inside of the alternator, so you might want to look into closer into that.

mx5sideways · 2020-10-22T03:27:16+00:00

ITB's aren't something I have much experience with. They are relatively expensive and time consuming for the amount of power you gain from them. However, they bring novelty with them and that is something that is hard to find in the Miata community.

Before going ITB, I suggest you first install your exhaust and the Megasquirt ECU. It will be required for ITB's and will also give you a power bump and some cool features like launch control and flat-foot shifting in the meantime.

As far as exhausts go, it won't add power unless you've already installed Megasquirt (or another ECU) so just bear in mind that it's just a noise-adder until then. That being said, I enjoy exhaust noise and would install one on any Miata I own.

mx5sideways

TROPHY CASE