Cleaning / restoring a 1994 NSX with 182,546 miles...yep...I am crazy about my NSX.
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 203
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From: Indiana
Cleaning / restoring a 1994 NSX with 182,546 miles...yep...I am crazy about my NSX.
So I have long been told that I am nuts. Usually for various things, but as it relates to my NSX, people say it because I do things with my car that most people would never do. Using it as a daily driver and track rat, driving it in monsoon rain storms, driving it in the snow, ice, dirt and mud, driving it with no regard for re-sale value or mileage, hauling my lawn mower, mulch, kegs of beer, and drunk girls who pile themselves 2 and 3 high on the passenger side, and other things that would make even an SUV cringe. Why? Because I can, and because it amuses me. I love my car, but I am not afraid to use it, and it makes for some pretty cool stories. 
Most of the people that do not know me wrongly assume that my car must be beat down, but it is not. Those who know me and have seen my car will attest to it being in better shape than most cars with 30,000 miles. Why is my 1994 NSX with 182,546 miles and counting in better shape mechanically and cosmetically than NSXs with a fraction of the mileage? See paragraph one about me being crazy, and read the rest of this post and you will quickly understand why.
For years I have made a ritual of putting my car in the air usually twice a year and scrubbing the entire underside and suspension from the front to the back to keep it clean and pretty, and to check for any worn parts that may need replaced, or maintenance that may need done (how many of you 'weekend drivers' do that?). Well, a couple of months ago I was down in Georgia and an Acura dealer mentioned that my front turn signal bulb was out, and asked if I wanted it replaced. Not wanting to pay the $26 to change a $2 bulb, I declined and opted to wait until I got home to just change it myself. This is where the slippery slope began.
Fast forward through October where the car did not get much use due to much of my work taking me to neighborhoods of 'challenged' economic status, and my decision that driving my NSX to these areas would probably be bad for my lifespan, and my NSXs. So this takes us to the beginning of December and the reminder that I still had not changed that stupid bulb in the turn signal! So I put the car on jack stands, figuring I may as well pop off the wheels and get them cleaned inside and out too, and then popped out the turn signal lens from the right front fender. POP! Out it came, and to my surprise, the owner before me (this would be 12 years ago) must have decided to drill into the lens and install little strobe lights. So the slow guinea pigs on the wobbly treadmill that is my brain said, 'Well...this will never do. I need to replace this who assembly, and remove all this stupid strobe wiring,' and off came the entire fender for better access.
It did not take long to see that the wiring ran behind the front bumper, and also did not take long to realize that the inner splash shields were a bit tattered. 'Shoot! I may as well replace this stuff too. I mean, I cannot have my car looking worn,' so I yanked the plastic inner fender wells and removed the front bumper. This was my watershed moment. Because at this time I noticed there were corroded bolts behind the fender well guards and the front bumper. I hate corroded bolts and corrosion in general. It drives me up the wall. So that dim bulb in my head flickered a few times, and I finally said, 'To hell with it. I am tearing this whole car down, cleaning everything inside and out, and replacing any and ALL parts that are torn, worn, tattered, corroded, discolored, or otherwise not at the top of their game. I want my car to look as perfect as possible, and if it takes me 4 months or more to do it, I don't care'....and so it began.
This is what I started with:
This is the first night, where I started to 'just change a lightbulb':
Notice the cool little vent flaps for the trunk and passenger cabin. Kind of neat, eh?
Moving on to the interior....I may as well gut that and clean it top to bottom too. I am sure SOMETHING needs replaced in here. :
(* It actually amazed me how dirty the headliner was once I got it out of the car. When they are in the car, you never really get light on them to see the dirt that gathers over time.)
I had these C-pillars and the roof repainted too. I figured it was time. 17 years and over 182k miles had taken their toll, and 'Phantom' deserves to stand tall.
December 19, 2011...more tear down and cleaning:
All pretty and clean behind the quarter panel now. It is AMAZING how much better it looks in person with the grime all gone (notice the clean suspension too):
Popped up the lights to get them ready for removal and cleaning, and also removed several underbody panels, the exhaust, and several aluminum support braces and brackets underneath for cleaning and / or replacement:
This pictures shows you how one side is washed, and the other is not. Lots of dirt back there:
That pesky bumper support looked like crap. So I pulled it off, scrubbed some more, and sent the front and rear bumper support beams out for full media blasting and repainting:
I will be updating as more progress happens. But my goal is to make the car as close to perfect as I can. It is 1 of 20 Grand Prix White / Onyx NSXs made in 1994 with a 5-speed manual transmission, and I figure that my buddy deserves the 'spa treatment'. Stay tuned. I may need help on finding parts, as some are not showing available anymore. Actually, in a bit of irony, I cannot seem to locate any availability of the right front fender turn signal / marker light assembly that started this whole adventure. If you have one, or know where I can get one, I would greatly appreciate the help.
Wish me luck!! Or at least drop by and bring me a beer.
Most of the people that do not know me wrongly assume that my car must be beat down, but it is not. Those who know me and have seen my car will attest to it being in better shape than most cars with 30,000 miles. Why is my 1994 NSX with 182,546 miles and counting in better shape mechanically and cosmetically than NSXs with a fraction of the mileage? See paragraph one about me being crazy, and read the rest of this post and you will quickly understand why.
For years I have made a ritual of putting my car in the air usually twice a year and scrubbing the entire underside and suspension from the front to the back to keep it clean and pretty, and to check for any worn parts that may need replaced, or maintenance that may need done (how many of you 'weekend drivers' do that?). Well, a couple of months ago I was down in Georgia and an Acura dealer mentioned that my front turn signal bulb was out, and asked if I wanted it replaced. Not wanting to pay the $26 to change a $2 bulb, I declined and opted to wait until I got home to just change it myself. This is where the slippery slope began.
Fast forward through October where the car did not get much use due to much of my work taking me to neighborhoods of 'challenged' economic status, and my decision that driving my NSX to these areas would probably be bad for my lifespan, and my NSXs. So this takes us to the beginning of December and the reminder that I still had not changed that stupid bulb in the turn signal! So I put the car on jack stands, figuring I may as well pop off the wheels and get them cleaned inside and out too, and then popped out the turn signal lens from the right front fender. POP! Out it came, and to my surprise, the owner before me (this would be 12 years ago) must have decided to drill into the lens and install little strobe lights. So the slow guinea pigs on the wobbly treadmill that is my brain said, 'Well...this will never do. I need to replace this who assembly, and remove all this stupid strobe wiring,' and off came the entire fender for better access.
It did not take long to see that the wiring ran behind the front bumper, and also did not take long to realize that the inner splash shields were a bit tattered. 'Shoot! I may as well replace this stuff too. I mean, I cannot have my car looking worn,' so I yanked the plastic inner fender wells and removed the front bumper. This was my watershed moment. Because at this time I noticed there were corroded bolts behind the fender well guards and the front bumper. I hate corroded bolts and corrosion in general. It drives me up the wall. So that dim bulb in my head flickered a few times, and I finally said, 'To hell with it. I am tearing this whole car down, cleaning everything inside and out, and replacing any and ALL parts that are torn, worn, tattered, corroded, discolored, or otherwise not at the top of their game. I want my car to look as perfect as possible, and if it takes me 4 months or more to do it, I don't care'....and so it began.
This is what I started with:
This is the first night, where I started to 'just change a lightbulb':
Notice the cool little vent flaps for the trunk and passenger cabin. Kind of neat, eh?
Moving on to the interior....I may as well gut that and clean it top to bottom too. I am sure SOMETHING needs replaced in here.
:(* It actually amazed me how dirty the headliner was once I got it out of the car. When they are in the car, you never really get light on them to see the dirt that gathers over time.)
I had these C-pillars and the roof repainted too. I figured it was time. 17 years and over 182k miles had taken their toll, and 'Phantom' deserves to stand tall.
December 19, 2011...more tear down and cleaning:
All pretty and clean behind the quarter panel now. It is AMAZING how much better it looks in person with the grime all gone (notice the clean suspension too):
Popped up the lights to get them ready for removal and cleaning, and also removed several underbody panels, the exhaust, and several aluminum support braces and brackets underneath for cleaning and / or replacement:
This pictures shows you how one side is washed, and the other is not. Lots of dirt back there:
That pesky bumper support looked like crap. So I pulled it off, scrubbed some more, and sent the front and rear bumper support beams out for full media blasting and repainting:
I will be updating as more progress happens. But my goal is to make the car as close to perfect as I can. It is 1 of 20 Grand Prix White / Onyx NSXs made in 1994 with a 5-speed manual transmission, and I figure that my buddy deserves the 'spa treatment'. Stay tuned. I may need help on finding parts, as some are not showing available anymore. Actually, in a bit of irony, I cannot seem to locate any availability of the right front fender turn signal / marker light assembly that started this whole adventure. If you have one, or know where I can get one, I would greatly appreciate the help.
Wish me luck!! Or at least drop by and bring me a beer.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 203
Likes: 4
From: Indiana
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 641
Likes: 94
From: Phoenix, AZ
Awesome work! I really appriciate this a lot! It's good to see that car coming back to life. I cant wait till I can own another NSX in the near future. Oh how that car makes you smile
Love the leafs flag too, my uncle played for them back in the 70s!
Love the leafs flag too, my uncle played for them back in the 70s!
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...., and I thought I was a "clean freak"....
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 203
Likes: 4
From: Indiana
It is coming along nicely. I have a bunch of parts on order, should be getting many of them this coming week. I was away in Canada for almost 2 weeks for the holidays, so that slowed me down as I was not even in the same country as my car. LOL!
So stay tuned....next weekend I should have some updates and pictures. Yes, as some have said, I do really LOVE MY NSX!! Even being married and having a two and a half year old daughter that requires a LOT of time, I still make time for my NSX. It deserves the love.
So stay tuned....next weekend I should have some updates and pictures. Yes, as some have said, I do really LOVE MY NSX!! Even being married and having a two and a half year old daughter that requires a LOT of time, I still make time for my NSX. It deserves the love.
white beauty...
Keep up the great work well keep watching!
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: MS Gulf Coast
Wow. Great job. Glad I popped back in to acurazine because that detail work has me inspired.
This is a great time for this project. Some of those parts you are replacing just might get mighty hard to find or might not be available new at all in a year or two. It's already hard to find new correct trunk mats, floor mats, etc.
Thumbs up, my friend. And happy motoring!
This is a great time for this project. Some of those parts you are replacing just might get mighty hard to find or might not be available new at all in a year or two. It's already hard to find new correct trunk mats, floor mats, etc.
Thumbs up, my friend. And happy motoring!
