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Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:50 am
by BonneMe
Is the back bumper that off colored?
Good luck with the fender! Any idea how long its been dented like that?
Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 10:20 am
by harofreak00
What pic does the bumper look off colored? Looks dead on to me.
No idea on the fender.
Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 12:42 pm
by WhiteArrow3800
I love the color, inside and out!
Can't wait to see this one saved

Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 1:55 pm
by harofreak00
PDR guy stopped by today... he wouldn't touch the quarter panel... so its all me. I can't make it worse, right?
I located a tranny with 120k on it for $250!
Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:06 pm
by Grimm
Not bad looking once you get some chrome on those wheels. I agree, the rear bumper is a little off on the color. The front probably is too, but can't really see it. I suppose that's normal though when you have plastic next to steel body parts. I think I've seen that before on other cars.
Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 1:57 am
by BonneMe
Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 2:37 am
by harofreak00
Must be some weird lighting in the pics, because like I said, its dead on in person.
I had a customer contact me yesterday looking for a bad transmission that he could rebuild. The only one I had was the one in this car, and it wasn't out of the car and ready to go. He is from out of state, and is traveling through the area tomorrow, so it would be the only time to come pick it up. So to make the sale, I decided I was going to tackle this one right away. I did a little research this afternoon for a transmission, and found one locally with only 120k for $250! This price is unheard of from a salvage yard... anyways, I started working on it tonight, pulled the trans, and got the new one in... 5 hours.

Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 4:16 am
by Bing
That's awesome that you're able to locate and do all that in perfect timing!
Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 9:40 am
by sandrock
Sell that trans for 100 (well worth that in the parts alone) and you only spent 150 for the new one
There may not be much demand for that color combo but it certainly is a unique one. On that security lamp LED, I can only think of it being, like you said, an early production. I have a set of early 2000 FSMs, do you want me to see if anything is mentioned about it?
Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 10:43 am
by *B2*
Sell that trans for 100 (well worth that in the parts alone) and you only spent 150 for the new one
Knowing Andrew's deal, I'll bet he did even better than that. Nice work!
Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 11:09 am
by harofreak00
Selling the old trans for $150, so the new trans only cost me $100 plus fluid/filter, and 5 hours time.
Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 11:13 am
by 95naSTA
Sweet deal.
Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 10:52 pm
by BonneMe
Marty LOVES Firemist cars.
Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 7:03 pm
by harofreak00
Hood painted:
I pounded out the quarter panel the best I could, but I'm not entirely satisfied with it... but I need to rememeber that this is a 12 year old car with 217k, and the buyer probably isn't going to care. I'll get some pics on Monday in the sun.
Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 7:12 pm
by *B2*
Awesome. Do you know what his process/material (prep, primer, etc...) on the aluminum hoods?
Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 7:13 pm
by SSEiMan01
Looks great Andrew!
Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 7:41 pm
by harofreak00
*B2* wrote:Awesome. Do you know what his process/material (prep, primer, etc...) on the aluminum hoods?
He sands down all the corrosion areas down to the bare metal, seals it, primes it, paints it, clears it. There are pics of the process in some of my other project threads. If you are asking what brand or other specifics, I have no idea.
Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 7:46 pm
by 01bonneSC
BonneMe wrote:Is the back bumper that off colored?
Good luck with the fender! Any idea how long its been dented like that?
Ive noticed that on most 00+ cars. Seems that the plastic doesnt take the paint the same way as the metal or something.
Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 12:33 am
by Backhoe
I like e color more than I thought, prob cause I like the less found, oddball stuff.
Pretty sure I'd be hunting a new quarter for that puppy! I'd say PDF had a go already

Re: project: 2000 SSEi (topaz firemist metallic)
Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 12:48 am
by *B2*
Thanks. My concern was with using a primer or sealer that wasn't aluminum friendly and the corrosion returning. But it doesn't sound like he uses any fancy recipe, just good prep work.
I hope the quarter turned out well. I know it would be tempting to finish it 100%, but you know what your flips need.