MX-3.com

Hello everyone!

A few months ago I purchased a 1992 Mazda MX3 for about $500 from a neighbor. Best car i've owned so far, great gas mileage, drives and performs well.

However, its got a bit of a bad paint problem.







I'm not looking for any fancy paint job, just something to make it look alot more acceptable than it currently does.
Would a job like that cost alot? Or at 150,000+ miles, should I just leave it be and start looking for another car (I was considering a used Aveo)

My opinion is.... I would rather drive that car the way it is then buy an Aveo (GM)

I have never seen this on an MX3 though... seems they had bad primer and the paint just flakes off! (happens alot in mid 90's dodges). But they would have to sand all the paint off to the metal and grind all the surface rust off.... to me it looks like a good $2500 job from what I used to see in the shop I worked at.... all said and done. Hmmm I am wondering where they got those mini fender flares!

But I think you can find a 4cy one in much better condition for about $1000 easy!

ya holy s--- thats a lot of sanding/ surface rust to get rid of.


on a lighter note, if people can re-store rusted out cars from the 50's then we can restore a rusted out car from the 90's

invest in a good electrical grinder, or one with a good warranty, and get to work in a nice dry and weather free area like a garage. dont let bare metal show for too long tho cause moisture in the air will settle.

I say sand that s--- down, apply primer, the spray it yourself. Flat colors will give the best results once you wet sand it + buff.

Sandblast the roof after masking off the windows.

I recently found this post:

http://www.mx-3.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=67670" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

And it seems like a pretty viable and do-able paint job solution. Looked pretty good too (make sure you click the link to his actual work).

Or if you're lazy: http://www.rolledon.com/projects-f2/92- ... t-t305.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hmm, interesting method. It looks doable by me (I have no car painting or modding experience what so ever).

Would I have to sand down my car completely before doing the roll-on paint method? What type of treatment or procedures would I have to do for the rust areas?

And would it all be worth it...seeing as the car has ~151,000 miles on it?

Well if you read his post on the Rolled-on forums he goes into detail about what he used and what he did for the rust areas. I think he said he mostly used Rust Converter and Bondo for most of the areas that were rusted through. I'm assuming that he did sand the whole car before starting, but he doesn't go into detail on what kind of primer he used, or even IF he primed the car beforehand.

On the MX-3 topic it seems like he's still pretty active cause he posted a response to that thread recently, so you might want to send him a PM (and send me a copy of it too, heh) with your questions. I'm totally going to do this with the Steel Gray color.

http://www.rolledon.com/supplies-f21/so ... s-t191.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

lol 151K miles, I'm at 175K miles and she has no rust! (I took my time and fixed it)

Daninski wrote:Sandblast the roof after masking off the windows.

Don't sand blast roof or any panel, you will warp it. Sanding is your best option.