Painting The Lions Kit Widebody For my Mazda RX-8

I'm always up for a challenge, and painting this body kit was by far one of the most challenging things I've tried my hands at. I have no previous painting experience, however with help from some friends and the internet, we were able to get the body kit for the RX-8 painted. (With only a couple hiccups).
#painting #diy #project

[@akagels]

The RX-8 NEEDS new hardware for the body kit. What do you recommend?

[@jamesvesely131]

Downstar hardware is what I suggest! Nice work gels! Looks great.

[@ryantheguitarguy2359]

If you're SET on not changing those wheels (beautiful btw) please please match the hardware to the gunmetal faces. Would be such a clean and tasteful choice. First thing that came to mind outside of that was a burnt chrome, but I feel like everyone would do that.

[@tylerkappler2479]

Agree w james, downstar hardware all day

[@joelod.4763]

dress up bolts! (its a brand of ti hardware)

[@DakotaStone]

I love the RX-8 build so much because you’ve truly taken this car and used it to learn so much. Been amazing to watch the journey and I can’t wait to see what’s next. LOVE THE CAR IN BLACK!

[@akagels]

🖤I never thought I would learn so much from owning this car.

[@christophertrimble6080]

Yeah it’s dope man!! One of these days I’ll find my way back into a rotary. The adhesion promoter just helps the process really. The more layers you have on the stronger the paint.

[@bangarang3810]

That rx8 looking cold af ❄️ 🥶 ❄️

[@oddmanout1807]

Really like the fact your working on an under dog type car. Everyone else is sticking with the popularity type builds while you keep it true to yourself and what you like. I'm here for it.

[@whopperwitfries8754]

Just keep up on your regular content especially the rx8 your channel is super underrated

[@MrSeatbelt]

That black looks way better than that 2017 bright "look at me" blue.

[@ZackNakazora1]

Brilliant black is great for a starter.. Now that you've done it... I'd love to see her in sparkling black mica! With the flake!

[@dantheman1689]

Thanks for taking us along with you on this one and keeping it real. Love how it all came out.

[@michaellowery6201]

Cooking 🔥

[@jyonbalingit7990]

Looking great! Love seeing the RX-8 back in black!

[@amiralirampour8788]

Never thought a black car with dark metallic wheels and silver rims would look so good

[@ryantheguitarguy2359]

Love love love looove this. Came out great Gels!

[@jasonhenry2212]

Looks like it's going well.

[@dauntlessg4ming]

Down Start or Dressup Bolts, for sure. Looks great, looking forward to what is next!

[@akagels]

Thank you! I will check them out for sure!

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

Hell yeah! Looking good!

[@bay1.charlie]

Not bad! I about cried when you bumped the over fender though 😂

[@akagels]

Thanks! You can literally hear my voice shaking in the video when I was talking about that part 😂

[@JBIsrael]

I definitely prefer the black over the wrap. Time to update your cover image!

[@Rawvicious]

Just found the channel. Hell yeah dude, we need more 240 content.

[@newguynasti2008]

You did a really good job for your first time painting. You picked 1 of the hardest colors to do and looks like you color matched it pretty good. Taking the time on prep really pays off. Nice wet sand and buff and polish it will look amazing. Congratulations. Calm your nerves lol it only gets easier with practice.

[@ashburt6866]

I hear downstar hardware is awesome!!! And great job on the paint job. Great call for all black. The wrap was good but this is definitely better 👌

[@Jesko_VRS]

Nice one Gels 🤝🏻🔥🔥🔥

[@eastcoastken]

So for what you had and the knowledge you have, or don't have, being in your garage it turned out pretty good. One tip tho, when your cleaning the parts wear rubber gloves so the oils from your skin don't get on them.

[@04Eight]

Subbing as I also have an x8 and looking forward to following your steps for my first time, too.

[@akagels]

Welcome! It's awesome to see all the other RX-8 owners out there

[@coffee_addict22]

Looking pretty damn good man. It NEEDS WINDOW TINT. Tint will make a huge difference in making everything flow together.

[@MFBushidoBrown]

Hey, you did way better than the "professionals" that painted my car

[@Brentgass58]

It looks so good!! Also the way you documented the entire process was super super good and straightforward!

[@akagels]

Thank you so much!!

[@henrynewgent8481]

I got stainless steel Allen head bolts on Amazon (m6 x 1.0 I believe) and put riv nuts in the body. I have had them on the wide body for 2 years and they look brand new. Cheap too. I’m in the process of doing hidden hardware now

[@psychicer5022]

Man black Rx8s look so good. They hide some of the rx8 Bubblyness Mines Titanium grey also a good color but my paints bad. I just gotta tell myself Track cars dont need to look good haha Should consider getting a stock wing or an RMagic wing for it. Really changes the back of the car. I remember painting my FD's wing and had it in the air by a cable. It fell and cracked. also it didn't come out good so decided to take the whole car in for paint after.

[@wayned3122]

Great job Gels. I looked like is came out pretty good for a garage/Harbor Freight paint job. I need to try this sometime!

[@akagels]

Honestly for zero experience and a low budget this came out way better than I could have hoped! I would definitely recommend giving it a go if you've ever thought about doing it.

[@aznerol0770]

Bro, it looks really nice. Good job. Keep it coming.

[@akagels]

Thank you! Got more in the works already

[@baileyf1998]

I would imagine stainless steel will be the best hardware since it looks nice is rust resistant, and affordable. Maybe cosider black chrome aswell. Though it can be expensive and harder to find.

[@38tech]

Not bad at all!

[@mastercricket7626]

rad bro it came out good and its hard to do black as it shows all lol peace n love keep it rad stay safe and build on

[@bhcamaro2002]

Yay no more smurf! 😂👍

[@tritt7321]

Makes me wanna paint my hood like i want to 😅

[@akagels]

Give it a go! Just take your time and do the research

[@jasonhenry2212]

You did very well. Came out better then mine. I painted mine white. They say that's the easiest color to paint. Black is the hardest. So great job.

[@jasonhenry2212]

Omg. Reminds me painting my rims. As I walked away the last rim and tire fell off the table front side down. No extra paint.

[@akagels]

OOOF!

[@ThatDudeArvai]

Dude that looks great! A good wetsand and polish will have those looking great. So proud of you man!

[@cschyler]

You gotta get an R-Magic wing going, would totally compete the look

[@datwokstaro_o1333]

definitely 😍

[@akagels]

I really do love the look of that wing!

[@cz-bundy6896]

Great job man! I'm doing the bay on my clapped 240. I like the content. Why aren't you and your buddy that left Fi doing more content together? You dudes were funny in videos. Keep it comin

[@akagels]

Thanks! And don't worry, we have some things in the works!

[@JDecora123]

Looks great 🔥 some 5% tint all around will have it looking even better!

[@quesokelso5425]

Sub because of the RX8 content! I’m not alone… 😢

[@Iwwvvaaammm]

what are some tips you would give to any one attempting this their first time??

[@akagels]

1) If you think you have enough primer, you probably don't. 2) Take your time. 3) Clean everything multiple times throughout the entire process. 4) It's not as scary as it seems, if you mess up there are ways to fix it.

[@Papajin68]

I've use that cheap harbor freight gun and it works decent considering the price. I only used it for painting an S13 gas tank and I got decent results. I think I would consider picking up a little better quality gun if I were going to paint something more visible though. I found this setup video for the exact gun useful kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpqviWZ6mNVnfJI -- especially the tips on dialing in the spray pattern.

[@2005ep3si]

Could ask your friends over at Gears and Gasoline to see if Dress up bolts could help you out

[@NextLevelWorkShop]

Where You buy this bodykit.?

[@christophertrimble6080]

Bro, should have put some adhesive promoter first and then at least three layers of primer.

[@akagels]

Definitely went more layers with the primer the second time around and it helped for sure. I'll keep the adhesion promotor in mind for next time.

[@christophertrimble6080]

Cool bro!! It just helps the process. And gives a strong base for the primer. It helps make sure the paint won’t lift also.

[@christophertrimble6080]

Cars dope btw!! One day I’ll find my way back into a rotary. Until then I’ll just watch your progress. Cheers!!!

[@nickpetersonvfx]

@gels, what kit did you end up buying for your car? Skirts etc? I keep hearing nothing but bad things about fitment for most of the kits out there for the RX8. Did yours fit ok? Cheers! Fun to watch you work on this bad boy.

[@akagels]

I have the Lions Kit V1 overfenders and have been really happy with them and the Fitment. The side skirts are from Shine Auto project and fit pretty decent, just needed some sanding to get them to fit a little more flush

[@nickpetersonvfx]

@@akagels thanks so much for the reply! I appreciate it. Keep jamming away on that ride!

[@snp4dx]

BRO. WHERE DID YOU GET THAT WIDEBODY KIT? THOSE ARE SUPER HARD TO FIND

[@lexeg1]

Get downstar inc bolts boltboys fender kit

[@braydenfuller3517]

What body kit is this?

[@akagels]

This is the Lions Kit V1 overfender kit! I also paired it with a set of Shine Auto Project side skirts and a Seibon Carbon front lip.