I just got back from PepBoys and they sell formulated paint that is designed for calipers. It only suggests using 3 coats, but I have been told to do more than that. Also, I have only one jack, so I guess I have to do one wheel at a time. Grrr!! I also got some blue flex loom for engine bay to go with the blue groundkit used throughout. Lastly I have some gutter shields from Home Depot to do grill inserts. Too bad it's raining on and off today. I want to get started. I saw Negatize's website on grill inserts <which is great, but on a 2001 ES, how do you remove the top portion of the grill. Someone said I may have to remove bumper to do the bottom. Any one know any place with pics on how to remove the stuff? Greatly appreciate it if you do!!

MisterT

 

I'm pretty sure somebody has posted a detailed removal guide for the bumper. I know that there are 4 plastic screws on each wheel well, 4 screws on the top section of the grille, and 1 under the bumper. There may be more. Try to search for it. Good luck.

 

It is really easy to do. There are two phillips screws that you detach, and 4 plastic screws that you pry off and whammo, it's off. The gutter thing is a pain in the *** to cut. I was using normal wire cutters, but it looked like crap so I gave up for now. There is really no place to attach the stuff to the grill unless you use wire tie downs. That would be too ghetto looking. The Mazda symbol is built in to the grill so you have to contour it to the middle symbol on both sides. I taped paper on the top and on the emblem, but ended up scratching a lot of the bottom. I re-attached it without the ghetto grills. I don't know that it is worth doing it or not.

MisterT