My new MX5 - hints and tips?

[pantscat]

As a new (and very proud!) MX5 owner, I'd like to find out what little things I need to keep an eye out for an how best to look after it.

It's soon going to have to live outside 24/7 and I've heard stories about rusty sills... Although the underside of my car looks sound (having seen a lot with visible rust and cracks) ideally I'd like to get the car undersealed before the winter - can anyone recommend anywhere good in Surrey?

I know to keep the drain holes clear - I take it that this is just a case of keeping them clean from gunge and dirt? Am I right in thinking that there are two holes front and back?

Oh yes! What's the best thing to use to keep the vinyl hood in good nick?
I'm hoping to get a hard top eventually for the gloomier weather, but I think it's going to be a bit of a bugger to find one in supreme blue! (maybe I'll just settle for a black one...)

Any other things I need to be particularly aware of?

Cheers,

Ant

[5harp3y]

for the vinyl hood, i always used autoglym vinyl and rubber care (yellow label)

its sprays on, wipe / buff off and it gives the roof a really nice finish and keeps the vinyl supple

[Jonny671]

5harp3y said:

for the vinyl hood, i always used autoglym vinyl and rubber care (yellow label)

its sprays on, wipe / buff off and it gives the roof a really nice finish and keeps the vinyl supple

Try spraying onto a cloth first, then wipe on.. I sprayed straight on and it went all over my freshly cleaned car and made it look terrible.

The roof drains are quite hard to find first time, lift your roof half up and down behind the seatbelt mounting points theres some holes.. Best to get a bottle of water and squirt it hard down the hole to clear them out.

Try not stabbing it with a stick as there are one way covers in there that can get stuck.

I've heard about Autolink down in Southampton, they'll underseal the car with Waxoyl and apprently this is very good for rust protection, so if you've had the rust done/doesn't need doing some sealing will be a good idea!

And get to some of the Surrey runs and test the '5

[pantscat]

Cheers - will give that a whirl!

Also handy to know about the roof drains... I'll try and find those!

Ooh... runs! (erm... maybe I should rephrase that.) Definitely up for the odd run out!

[Jonny671]

pantscat said:

Cheers - will give that a whirl!

Also handy to know about the roof drains... I'll try and find those!

Ooh... runs! (erm... maybe I should rephrase that.) Definitely up for the odd run out!

I'll take a picture at lunch time and show you, you can feel them better than you can see them but will try getting a picture

Definately come to a few of the runs, their excellent!

We've got a run this Sunday morning from Guildford>Goodwood with 100 other cars.

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

[pantscat]

Cheers Jonny - that's much appreciated!

I'll try and make it along... looks good!

[Jonny671]

Actually.. This guide from America gives a good idea of them.

http://www.mx-5.com/Forum/Room/Topic/?topicId=1340...

[pantscat]

Jonny671 said:

Actually.. This guide from America gives a good idea of them.

http://www.mx-5.com/Forum/Room/Topic/?topicId=1340...

Cheers for that!

[pantscat]

Also - can anyone recommend a good hardtop supplier?!

Prices seem to vary quite wildly...

[Jonny671]

I probably would keep an eye out on MX5 Nutz or MX5 OC, then probably eBay.

May get a steal and easily get it repainted

[pantscat]

Cheers - will keep an eye out.

Ant