It's useful to have a dash cover because the sun will make your dash form a huge crack eventually. It's a problem with all LS400s. If your plastic hasn't split yet, consider a cover or wax it (Armor-All works too - hydrate it with oil).
What was one of the main things I said I wasn't going to do? I thought that, for sure, I wasn't gonna use gold thread yet it looked so freakin' good that I did it anyway. And the result is fantastic.
I learned something about design as well. I wasn't going to use gold thread initially because there isn't any other gold in the car but because of the fact that it's in one spot, the red and gold meld perfectly into the beige interior. As a matter of fact, it looks totally natural and gives it a pop. And it does match something - the hanging scorpion right by it.
Did you catch something else I just mentioned? It's in one spot. When I started this - as you can read in part 1 - I was deciding between three options as far as if I want it just on my dash, dash and center, or most of the car.
That there gave me insight into how my creative mind works. It'll start big and eliminate things if they don't fit. And I don't lie to myself - or at least I try not to. I realized having red covers everywhere would be gaudy. In that case, and I think I mentioned this, I might as well reupholster everything.
You can see how I did the stitching from the underside. Because it's a pain using five feet of string when you're hand-sewing, it's comprised of four or five lengths of strand that connect underneath neatly.
Which brings me to the seats. I did have a look at them and they're way too far gone to be worth repairing so I'm going to just get some good ones from the junkyard eventually. Don't lie to yourself. If I did in that case... My seats would've looked like doodoo!
Forgive me as I haven't done anything with the little project I said I might have an update on. Well, I don't yet.
You know guys, it makes me a little sad that now I know I won't be reupholstering my car much. I know myself and I know I'll figure some things out but for the most part, as far as the seats, doors, and dash... They're going to stay OEM. I'm just gonna keep it clean. Krispy Klean.
I love detailing inside but I put off washing the exterior so long that my car changes tones. I know, it's nice - did you even notice the Audi R8 in the back?
I still have my carpet to consider, however. I will probably paint it like I said because it's very stained but who knows? I might do something a little crazy like replace it with shag but my wife said don't do anything like that until her car is fixed and she's on the road.
Literally, my wife said I can have a pimp car but not while I'm driving her around all the time. I'm gonna paint it purple.
Actually, I really am not but I am getting ready to completely spray paint it. In another article, I showed you guys and gals the results of a test I did. I wanted to see if I can make it look good...
Indeed, I was able to do a better job than Maaco. I've also decided the whole car is going to be white with gold rims.
And last night, actually, my neighbor asked me to paint her sister's new car (for money obviously). Learning to work on cars can lead to a career. I mean, yes it's obvious, but I started this project from the mindset of learning to do anything I can possibly do to restore the car. As long as I was even somewhat sure I could, I tried and succeeded. A huge part of the whole deal was that I wanted to teach myself.
Instead of taking it to a paint shop, I'm teaching myself to paint cars on my own. Instead of taking it to the mechanic, I've saved thousands of dollars and learned more than the value of that in skills. I learned to work on cars. That's invaluable.
I also started a business that is doing well based on cars that I'm not going to get into but my point is that if you're not sure where you're trying to go in life and you like cars, consider that as a career and learn everything you can. You don't have to wrench all day. You can reprogram ECUs, sell parts, refurbish parts, flip cars.
This honestly gave me a path in life and I'm sharing it with you guys.
What's next for me and the car? The paintjob will be done when I can find a good time but besides that, I want to possibly upgrade what I can with JDM components. What am I talking about? Simple things such as replacing my MAF sensor (the stock '95+ one) with the casing of an A-1 Cardone. While I found one with the correct sensor that I'm selling, I also found just the body of one and a '96+ MAF sensor can be unscrewed and screwed onto the Cardone shell.
As far as I can tell, the advantages lie in how it actually sits in the vehicle. It's very sturdy so it won't move, bolts onto the original holes, weighs 1.8lb (so no, it's not heavy) and what this does is the following; more even air flow resulting in better MAF readings. Simple. It also has two or three built in filters but only for bigger objects - make sure you still use a filter.
Your dash should shine like that.
Thank you all, please bookmark this website, come back again, and leave a comment if you will. I enjoy hearing from my readers.
I think I mentioned this briefly but I will be posting an update on Lexi2. Not only am I still waiting for the curtains but the vehicle is at a point now where the interior is as clean as I can get it at the moment, the car runs extremely well, and it will look amazing when I paint it soon. Stick around for that. You might see some cool stuff I never brought up. Peace!
- Rokas Kirvelis
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