Choices Choices Choices~

[lanemeyer14]

I was planning on rolling it on, most of the people I see doing it with spray don't turn out quite as nice, and the autobody rustoleum has just the right color orange so i'm debating it over the high gloss.

Yeah, rolling it on will only look as nice as the amount of work you put into it I think. It was definitely a lot of work...(paint, dry, paint, wetsand, repeat MULTIPLE times), but it was fun and worth it in the end.

[zocheyado]

Well luckily for me im a college student and this is probably the only summer where I don't have any work or anything to do really, So painting the car (when It gets sunny) is basically all I have to do!, mind telling me which tutorial you followed and/or what steps you did exactly? Im mainly confused on what grit/how much to sand after each coat, and how much paint to do per coat, thanks for the help you guys.

[lanemeyer14]

Here's the link from this site...

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4102

Go to the first link in that thread and read up! I eventually found a guy that broke it down step by step with what grip paper to use but not sure where that link is now. Once you go to that link and follow the other links provided I'm sure you'll be able to find it though. I think after my first 2 coats I used 600grit, 2 more coats with 800, then 2 coats with 1000, and 2 more with 2000.....something like that. Just read all you can beforehand and give it a try. Once you start you'll get a feel for it!

[DriverOne]

Welcome, zocheyado! Montana is one of my favorite states! Well, when it's not snowing... Lots of roads to use an Aspire swap to it's ultimate capacity. I would highly recommend a spray-on bedliner for the underside of the car as soon as you can afford it. Around here it's about $400, but is well worth the money in my opinion. Rust is a Festy killer! I imagine a white Festiva is snow-plow bait? No offense, 'cause white Festivas are cool (literally!).

[zocheyado]

Thanks for the link to the site, it answered most of my questions. Yea I like it here in Montana (even in the snow) I will look into the spray on liner, any know how much switching to a manual 5spd would cost?

[neanderpaul]

If you buy a dead festiva with a good trans for cheap enough, part the rest of it out for enough, and can do the swap yourself you can literally make money swapping in a 5 speed. The carbed 88 and 89 L with a manual trans is just a 4 speed so you want to go for an 88-89 LX 5 speed or any manual trans festy from 90-93.

[zocheyado]

Finally got to go look at the car some more and take pictures, cant get the key until 7 tonight when the lady gets off work, but here it is! cant wait to paint it lol.

[lanemeyer14]

Looks pretty clean dude! I wouldn't even paint it.....just clean it up and wax/polish it

[Darlo]

What is with your seat belt coming from the door? I have not seen that, please explain the purpose.

[neanderpaul]

Those are passive restraints. The US got those from 90-93.

[zocheyado]

Its an automatic seat belt, when you start the car it goes backwards, I would have thought it would be standard but maybe not! and can anyone tell me if this is a L or GX or LX? he has never told me haha!

[neanderpaul]

When you close the door it "fastens". It was standard in the US. Darlo is north of the border.

It looks like a GL I think. Body color bumpers and alloys. GX was not a trim designation.

[zocheyado]

GAh! the wait is killing me, I want my festy! I have never had a fix up car, so excited to get to work, Also has anyone ever purchased replacement CV joints from festivamotorsport? cant tell if the Festiva C.V. Boot Kit is everything I would need. Thanks!

[kellen302]

Also, center console means GL, correct?

[Safety Guy]

Yep, looks like a stock GL. Rear wiper, alloys, body color bumpers, cloth interior, rear window defroster and probably the console.

Looks like very little rust to me. I'd fix all the little rust spots first, then examine the underside and/or remove the carpet to ensure no rust is left hiding underneath. Then paint it maybe next year, probably keeping it white.

Get it tuned up first and check your ball joints' condition (important for safety!) and tire pressure/condition. Maybe put some money into some 13" Metro steelies or find some 13" or 14" Estrellas. Some 14" Estrellas have dual bolt pattern that will allow you to run them on a later Aspire swap too, without getting more wheels.

Karl