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Old 08-29-2014, 10:47 PM   #41 (permalink)
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The headlights have a clear coating on them, which can be polished off and even resprayed. Try a good cleaner wax and if that doesn't give you quick results you could go with superfine sandpaper, like 2000 grit, then polish them with compound. Even if you polish off all of the clear you can still keep them in good shape with more frequent waxing.

Never met a cloudy one I could not revive to 95%, unless physically damaged.

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Mech

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Old 08-30-2014, 03:34 PM   #42 (permalink)
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cloudy:3M Finesse

In the past,3M made a mico-fine paint polishing compound which was perfect for cutting the oxidation from headlight lenses.
They now make a product called 'Finesse' (I believe) which replaces the earlier compound and it also works great.
I've just been hand-rubbing,but this compound is rated for machine disc polishing.
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Old 08-31-2014, 01:20 AM   #43 (permalink)
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This would be the stuff, yes aerohead?
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See my car's mod & maintenance thread and my electric bicycle's thread for ongoing projects. I will rebuild Black and Green over decades as parts die, until it becomes a different car of roughly the same shape and color. My minimum fuel economy goal is 55 mpg while averaging posted speed limits. I generally top 60 mpg. See also my Honda manual transmission specs thread.



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Old 09-01-2014, 06:56 PM   #44 (permalink)
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Thanks for the tips, guys.

It being Labour Day weekend, I put the winter tires on the car. Summer's over!

Actually, I won't be using this car regularly until later in the fall.

As I mentioned, the winter tires are 2 sizes larger (65 vs. OEM 55 aspect ratio), and they really fill the wheel wells. Also, they're slightly offset to the outside more than the factory wheels (positive offset?). Net result: I think they're better aerodynamically. Well, they will be when there are smooth wheel discs on there (coroplast).

I'll snap a pic tomorrow.

Oh, and my butt-dyno says the ~6.5% taller gearing is better to drive, too.
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Old 09-02-2014, 01:44 PM   #45 (permalink)
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Bad quality photo showing the wheel arch-filling winter boots.

Wheel discs next!

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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



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www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
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Old 09-03-2014, 07:01 AM   #46 (permalink)
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Just curious: What is the wire running from under the hood (?) and in the passenger side door?

And is that a environmental topography lift you are using at the rear of the car? or a landscaped lower access location?

-Benphyr
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Old 09-03-2014, 04:48 PM   #47 (permalink)
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Wires = pair of small solar panels on the dashboard to keep the battery topped up.

And yes, that's a natural consolodated mineral underbody access feature at the back.
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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



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has launched a forum for the efficient new Mitsubishi Mirage
www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
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Old 09-03-2014, 06:47 PM   #48 (permalink)
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solar panel battery top up

Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG View Post
Wires = pair of small solar panels on the dashboard to keep the battery topped up.
What is involved? Sounds like it might be better for the semi-permanently parked beater than battery charger when I remember to give it a little every so often just so it can get moved around the driveway...
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Old 09-03-2014, 07:11 PM   #49 (permalink)
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My KIA has the same size engine about the same weight and about the same high RPMS I cant wait to see what kind of numbers you can get!
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Old 09-08-2014, 09:45 AM   #50 (permalink)
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90 day: 52.71 mpg (US)

Even Fancier Metro - '14 Mitsubishi Mirage top spec
90 day: 70.75 mpg (US)

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Quote:
Originally Posted by benphyr View Post
What is involved? Sounds like it might be better for the semi-permanently parked beater than battery charger when I remember to give it a little every so often just so it can get moved around the driveway...
They're just a pair of little 5 watt chargers from Crappy Tire (on sale). Barely enough to keep up with normal self-discharge. (Though they're not optimally oriented toward the sun.)

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Project MPGiata! Mods for getting 50+ MPG from a 1990 Miata
Honda mods: Ecomodding my $800 Honda Fit 5-speed beater
Mitsu mods: 70 MPG in my ecomodded, dirt cheap, 3-cylinder Mirage.
Ecodriving test: Manual vs. automatic transmission MPG showdown



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www.MetroMPG.com - fuel efficiency info for Geo Metro owners
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