Black & Green modding thread (1998 Civic DX Coupe base)

[California98Civic]

Since oil leaking slowly from engine and getting onto parts of the undercarriage has delayed the under tray project, I decided to do the wheel skirts before all the long days are gone. Here are some pics of the progress I made in the last light after work today. I am imitating MetroMPG's copper pipe clip idea, and I am using as much recycled materials as possible.





The coroplast is leftover from my first wheel skirt project. The screws and bolts are from stuff I dismantled, including aluminum screws from the 1950s patio shade I took apart a couple years ago. The aluminum bars for the supports were laying around the garage, leftover from a project. Cutting them to fit was a PITA. I discovered that bolt cutters can make great metal cutters in a pinch, when the snips are just not even close to competent.

Job complete enough to drive it, though I think I will add one more clip per side (for four total on each side) and I still plan to cover over the whole assembly with aluminum sheet and paint it and shade of black closer to the car paint color.







AND HERE IS THE LOOK (at this stage):

[California98Civic]

Finished! And I updated post #41 (above) to show completed wheel skirts 2.0 version.

[deejaaa]

that looks real good. it will be on my list now after i read how to make those clips.

[cbaber]

Looking great! Have you considered painting them? A can of OEM color matched paint runs about $20 and can do both sides. It would almost look factory equipped painted. Any plans for ABA testing?

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by deejaaa

that looks real good. it will be on my list now after i read how to make those clips.

Thanks. The clips are made with about a foot and a half of copper pipe, cut into 3" sections and hammered flat. Then I bent the section twice: a 180* bend of a 3/4" length and a 90-110* bend in the opposite direction from the first (leaving something around a 90* angle depending on your car's wheel well lip). For the tensioner to tighten the clips, I used bolts. The bolts are 10s, with self locking nuts. A 1/4" drill bit cut adequate holes. The skirt is attached to the clips using small aluminum screws that do not protrude out past the clip much, so as to pose no risk to the tire.

Making the clips was a slow process for me. It might be easier for you if you have more experience.

Originally Posted by cbaber

Looking great! Have you considered painting them? A can of OEM color matched paint runs about $20 and can do both sides. It would almost look factory equipped painted. Any plans for ABA testing?

Thanks! But it is a low-res photo!

I am planning to paint, after adding aluminum sheet to the surface (I will be buying aluminum for the under tray, rear spoiler, and diffuser project). Do you know a good price for my Flamenco Black Pearl NH-592P? I only found one spray application option and it was $30 to cover a mere 6 square feet. Alternately, I thought maybe I could treat this as "trim" and paint it the same flat black as other aeromod parts on the body.

[cbaber]

Try Touch Up Paint from PaintScratch.com

Enter in the year and model, then select Flamenco Black Pearl and paint code P. It was $25 for a 12.5 oz spray can basecoat. Flat black would still look good if it matches other parts of the car, and it would be much cheaper.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by cbaber

Try Touch Up Paint from PaintScratch.com

Enter in the year and model, then select Flamenco Black Pearl and paint code P. It was $25 for a 12.5 oz spray can basecoat. Flat black would still look good if it matches other parts of the car, and it would be much cheaper.

I just bought a spray can of the OEM color. Thanks for the site cite.

And for the amusement of anyone reading this thread, here is an old mod I did a long while ago. I reuse exhaust energy to heat my breakfast or lunch (depending on the day):

[mikeyjd]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

I just bought a spray can of the OEM color. Thanks for the site cite.

And for the amusement of anyone reading this thread, here is an old mod I did a long while ago. I reuse exhaust energy to heat my breakfast or lunch (depending on the day):

Don't mind that gasoline exhaust flavor

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by mikeyjd

Don't mind that gasoline exhaust flavor

The exhaust goes out the back of the car. This is just the part that gets hot.

[jedi_sol]

Didn't top gear try to cook something using the heat from a car engine?

Why cover the wheel skirt with aluminium? Coroplast is pretty dang weather proof. Just seems like a lot of extra work. Are you worried about flexing?