95 Celica Coupe Budget Build, part1 Options

[blockustomz]

Well and so it begins.. Took me a little over a month to find a Celica coupe. Took a chance on this one.
1995 Celica ST Coupe.1.8
184k
5speed

Completely stock when i got it. Was owned by a college kid who just got done with school. Paint is a absolute mess with the roof being damn near metal. That is what Florida sun will do to a macco paint job i guess..

The goal for part 1 build is just to keep a very small budget. Get it looking decent with some minor body work and get the motor running very good for daily driving. Wanna enjoy the Celica front for as long as i can, as a Curren conversion is the end game.


Things I've already done-
Motor wise:
Complete tune up, Spark+wires, Fuel Filter, Cap+rotor, Air Filter, PCV and all fuild changes.
Didn't do anything aftermarket, really wanted to get it back to stock specs to see if anything else is wrong.
So far so good on that end. Motor runs real smooth and no smoke or leaks.

Outside:
I have a legit Hiro front lip and OEM Side skirts. Hiro rear splitters are in the mail.

Paint:
DipYourCar.com ProkitPLUS in my garage with white paint + glossifier.
Yup.. Might get alot of hate on plasti dip'n my car but this is a budget build. And with this much body work i would get raped on labor.
When i get the money i'll just peel it off and get the work done right.. Or just change colors every week.. =D
Should look really good with the glossifier with the white. Damn close to a real paint job.

Searching for some Megan EZ Street Coilovers.. Thats the next thing..
After that.. Rare wheels but that's gonna take some time. I want nice wheels.. picky picky..

But after 1week with my purchase.. Here is how it looks.. Remember the hiro lips and sideskirts did not come with the car..






^^****KKK LOL

Front lip and sideskirts mounted temp.... Intill body work!!



Dirty engine bay.. Cleaning it after body work.. Just imagine how the rest of the car looked when i got it.





Hows this for a project??? hahaha.. built not bought!!

This post has been edited by blockustomz: Dec 22, 2013 - 10:06 PM

[cheela]

budget build with a real HIRO lip! awesome!

[blockustomz]

budget build with a real HIRO lip! awesome!

believe it or not.. the lip was really really budget... stupid low price. =D

[kurt95gt]

I need that lip for my coupe!!!

[blockustomz]

I need that lip for my coupe!!!

I never thought I would get this lip.. I had my mind set on ssIII. funny how things work out but i'm sure i'll be selling them some day.. keep an eye on the classifieds..

[kurt95gt]

I'd give you my ss-iii an some cash for it if the wife wouldn't kill me

[Ted95]

Nice little project man, the lip looks great! Your gonna love the coupe as its different from all the rest, project coupes FTW!

[blockustomz]

Nice little project man, the lip looks great! Your gonna love the coupe as its different from all the rest, project coupes FTW!

Thanks Ted!.. I love the hatchbacks but the coupe are just too dam sexy and rare (compared to the rest). So far I have the same feeling as i did with my last project, 93 honda civic hatchback. Except this time i'm not paranoid my car is gonna get jacked. Witch is a really great feeling to not have. Most people might think it looks like **** with the paint but I see the future in it. Enjoy ever second of driving it. <3 the gas mileage and just really happy with my purchase. I'll always love honda but toyota just found a new groupie..lol COUPES FTW!!

[Box]

Ha, you have the less useful version of our car! Ditto on the genuine Hiro lip on a budget build. If you haven't bought it yet I'd look into a blue Plasti-Dip that'd sorta match the stock paint. Then with the gloss in it, should look pretty ok. At least every time you open your hood there isn't a giant colour clash, which would have me going into a seizure. Your results may vary.

[blockustomz]

Ha, you have the less useful version of our car! Ditto on the genuine Hiro lip on a budget build. If you haven't bought it yet I'd look into a blue Plasti-Dip that'd sorta match the stock paint. Then with the gloss in it, should look pretty ok. At least every time you open your hood there isn't a giant colour clash, which would have me going into a seizure. Your results may vary.

less usefull... ? please explain..

and i already bought the white.. not worried about the different colors, this is a budget build not a show car. platidip blue is no where near the same color it has any ways really.

[richee3]

Box was just commenting on the coupe having a smaller trunk than the liftback. But the coupe is a little bit lighter and a little bit stiffer than the liftback, which is a plus.

[blockustomz]

Box was just commenting on the coupe having a smaller trunk than the liftback. But the coupe is a little bit lighter and a little bit stiffer than the liftback, which is a plus.

That's what i was thinking but wasn't sure if it was because of ST. That is true but trunk space is perfect for me. I had the Hiro lip and side skirts in my car for a 30mile trip.. Plus had the big boxes of plati dip **** in the trunk at the same time..lol just makes you put the thinker cap on with no hatch.. =D

I was surprised the coupe was lighter.. Didn't know it was also stiffer.. nice!! =D

[kurt95gt]

Handles better than a lift back too...
Least I think so

[blockustomz]

Handles better than a lift back too...
Least I think so

Great!! even better.. I have blown shocks in the rear and it still handles really well.. Can't wait to install coilovers and see what its really about.

[ILoveMySilly97]

Looking good. Hopefully you'll be able to do the curren conversion along with a beams swap. Then it'll be a perfect curren replica.

little bit stiffer than the liftback

That's true but once you put the rear strut bar on the hatch. You're good. Lol.

[Box]

Hey, the liftback you can fold the rear seat down and you have an instant "bed" so there.

[blockustomz]

Hey, the liftback you can fold the rear seat down and you have an instant "bed" so there.

lol.. I can lay down my seats too =D coupe FTW!!

[Box]

Yeah, but then it just won't really work right. Anyhow, should I digress. Throw on a Curren front end so it'll look right.

[blockustomz]

Yeah, but then it just won't really work right. Anyhow, should I digress. Throw on a Curren front end so it'll look right.

hahha... find me a front and i'll be glad too.. =D you got the trunk space right? lol hopefully soon

[Box]

They can be a pain to find, but it's a must have for the coupes. It's like the S13 240SX coupe, oh how it needs the Silvia front...

[kurt95gt]

I will have a current front one day!

[blockustomz]

Well been working on the car alot lately just haven't updated this thread..

Put in some syncro mesh for the 5 speed.. smooth now..

Also started the bodywork.. this is in day 3. middle of the day..


Dent pulled and filled.. was a bitch of a dent but the slide hammer got it. aswell as pissed off the neighbors..lol


same dent-skie


Wing off.. Holes filled.. There was some dents from taking off the wing.. Toyota spot welds the bolts and has double sided tape holdin them bitches down.. a little excessive if you ask me. lol


OK on the driver side you guys might remember some rust... rust b-gone.. shaaaazammm..


also there was a dent there.. right on the seam of the wheel arch to the left of the gas tank. (seen in 1st page pics) . pulled and filled.. ****ty shot the primer makes it look like **** with the camera but its str8!!..


started to work on this mofo.. this was rusted and crushed pretty hard!.. took the fender off and hammered it out the best i chould. also slide hammer went to work.. already filled this at the end of the day...


both drivers and passengers had its dings.. passenger had a bunch.. all filled.


next thing to work on is the front end.. sand this **** off!!...

This was mid-day shots.. went over pretty much all of this with finner gritt after pictures taken.. everything is now sanded down except for the hood, front bumper.. Still gotta work on the drivers side fender in the front.. about 80% done..

=D

[blockustomz]

almost forgot.. took off the fadded blue tint.. front windows was easy.. rear windows had to use razor blade..

[1994Celica]

If you're going to plastidip then I have some tips for you.

1. Clean your car very well and make sure it's dry.
2. Try not to tape a lot.

If you do both of these then you reduce the chances of your dip bubbling. If done right the dip should look good. I did it and its a cheap way of making your car look better.

[blockustomz]

If you're going to plastidip then I have some tips for you.

1. Clean your car very well and make sure it's dry.
2. Try not to tape a lot.

If you do both of these then you reduce the chances of your dip bubbling. If done right the dip should look good. I did it and its a cheap way of making your car look better.

Ok.. Thanks, love your car aswell.. Did you use the dyc sprayer?

[1994Celica]

If you're going to plastidip then I have some tips for you.

1. Clean your car very well and make sure it's dry.
2. Try not to tape a lot.

If you do both of these then you reduce the chances of your dip bubbling. If done right the dip should look good. I did it and its a cheap way of making your car look better.

Ok.. Thanks, love your car aswell.. Did you use the dyc sprayer?

I used this one.

https://www.dipyourcar.com/Professional-Spraygun.html

[blockustomz]

5 Days of body work later. I ended up getting the side markers shaved as well. But I Need to pick up more paint for the lip kit.
More pictures when finished..

This post has been edited by blockustomz: Jan 14, 2014 - 2:09 PM

[cheela]

damn these plastidipped cars come out great!

more close up pics!

it's gonna look good once you get everything else on too. keep it up.

[blockustomz]

got tint.. 20% all around plus sun shade.
also put on some mud flaps, painting the lip kit soon + alot better pictures when done..

This post has been edited by blockustomz: Jan 20, 2014 - 5:17 PM

[blockustomz]

Next up is more low..

Rear Hiro Splitters are lost in shippment.. =( hopefully they pop up.

This post has been edited by blockustomz: Jan 23, 2014 - 9:51 PM

[blockustomz]

Hiro splitters came in today.. Was really thinking these where lost in shippment. Glad it wasn't so... Completes the lip nicley..

[PegGTS]

Hiro splitters came in today.. Was really thinking these where lost in shippment. Glad it wasn't so... Completes the lip nicley..

Looks really good! Do you plan on getting a paint job eventually or just leaving it plasti dipped?

[blockustomz]

Thanks.. Yeah I'd like to get a paint job some day. Maybe after I find a curren i'll fork it up or by than have a compressor.

I do love this plasti dip though. Different for sure..

This color came out last week... maybe after some wheels i'll try that color..

[cjpost]

Just got a coupe gt, and I'm on a budget. do you think that 2 gallons of white and a gallon of black and a gallon of glossifier would be good enough to get the car white like that and the roof black? I'll be making a thread soon but I want to get supplies and I'm just curious how it worked out for you. Was it difficult to avoid bubbling?

I really like how the car is progressing, how did you manage to get the rust out of the wheel well? I have the same problem.

[blockustomz]

Just got a coupe gt, and I'm on a budget. do you think that 2 gallons of white and a gallon of black and a gallon of glossifier would be good enough to get the car white like that and the roof black? I'll be making a thread soon but I want to get supplies and I'm just curious how it worked out for you. Was it difficult to avoid bubbling?

I really like how the car is progressing, how did you manage to get the rust out of the wheel well? I have the same problem.

Depends on what color the car is original.. If its a dark color you will either need a coat of grey (DYC suggest this) OR 2 more coats of white.. I did 3 coats of white and i would like to do 1 more.. I also want to do the roof black but anyways..lol I bought 3gallons of white.. 1 gallon of grey for base coat.. That should do it but if you'r like me another gallon of white doesn't hurt.

The dip is almost transparent in a way.. So more coats the better.. White is also the thinnest of any color.. Keep that in mind, It's easy for colors to show under neath and also easier to drip.

I Haven't used my glossifer yet aswell.. Will do that after one more coat. You can either do 50/50 mix with white or just put the gloss over the dip'd car.. I heard the gloss is more of a challenge to get right so make sure you check out DYC on youtube for help.

Bubbling doesn't happen if you clean the car right.. Not just by a car wash but you gotta get everything off the paint.. Wax, road grim etc.. I had no issues except where i did not clean right (1st time doing this)

If you use the DYC sprayer its really f-n easy to paint bro with out mess ups.. The gun is amazing and even in spots i messed up on first coat.. You dont notice it on the last.. Really great sprayer.


I sanded down all the rust and filled it. Should of cut it out and put new metal in but i'll do that later in life..lol The hole car was sanned with very vin gritt before the spray since i have clear coat peal..

Good luck and feel free to msg me or give dipyourcar.com a buzz.. =D

[cjpost]

Just got a coupe gt, and I'm on a budget. do you think that 2 gallons of white and a gallon of black and a gallon of glossifier would be good enough to get the car white like that and the roof black? I'll be making a thread soon but I want to get supplies and I'm just curious how it worked out for you. Was it difficult to avoid bubbling?

I really like how the car is progressing, how did you manage to get the rust out of the wheel well? I have the same problem.

Depends on what color the car is original.. If its a dark color you will either need a coat of grey (DYC suggest this) OR 2 more coats of white.. I did 3 coats of white and i would like to do 1 more.. I also want to do the roof black but anyways..lol I bought 3gallons of white.. 1 gallon of grey for base coat.. That should do it but if you'r like me another gallon of white doesn't hurt.

The dip is almost transparent in a way.. So more coats the better.. White is also the thinnest of any color.. Keep that in mind, It's easy for colors to show under neath and also easier to drip.

I Haven't used my glossifer yet aswell.. Will do that after one more coat. You can either do 50/50 mix with white or just put the gloss over the dip'd car.. I heard the gloss is more of a challenge to get right so make sure you check out DYC on youtube for help.

Bubbling doesn't happen if you clean the car right.. Not just by a car wash but you gotta get everything off the paint.. Wax, road grim etc.. I had no issues except where i did not clean right (1st time doing this)

If you use the DYC sprayer its really f-n easy to paint bro with out mess ups.. The gun is amazing and even in spots i messed up on first coat.. You dont notice it on the last.. Really great sprayer.


I sanded down all the rust and filled it. Should of cut it out and put new metal in but i'll do that later in life..lol The hole car was sanned with very vin gritt before the spray since i have clear coat peal..

Good luck and feel free to msg me or give dipyourcar.com a buzz.. =D

Cool, thanks for the info. the car is silver right now and I really like the look of white with a black roof but I don’t have the money to get it professionally painted (I would rather spend that money on coilovers) I’m going to go for 3 gallons white one gallon gloss and just hold off on the roof for now I think. The guy I just bought the car from seems to have just painted over any signs of rust so I think I will end up just sanding down most of the car to look for any signs of rust. I think the original silver paint is a good base layer for the white probably. It seems like we have the same sort of goals in mind for our cars, I’m excited to see how yours turns out. I’m about to go make a thread for my car now I think, I’m way too excited to get started on this project.

[blockustomz]

Always loved the curren lights with the tinted clear turns.. Finding them without 200+ shipping is impossible..
So 30% tint will do.. No Rattle Cans! Legit tint.



looks amazing in person.

This post has been edited by blockustomz: Feb 11, 2014 - 12:09 AM

[kurt95gt]

Still want that dang lip lol

[blockustomz]

10000k HID kit.

[blockustomz]

Blacked out the plate surround, and yellow tint on high beams.

[playr158]

This is a late comment but I've dipped cars and many things.......


DO NOT SKIMP ON THE PLASTIDIP. Always do several more layers than they say, too thin and you'll never peel it all off. Thicker is generally better in terms of total quantity

Two gallons isn't enough for a car this size to make the dip thick enough to easily remove....you'll be chipping away for many many hours.

[blockustomz]

Celica was due for a oil change. so might aswell due the valve cover gasket and repray the cover. vht black wrinkle that is =D. First time trying rotella, hope it lives to the hype I've seen. Should have finished pictures tomorrow.

[blockustomz]

WRINKLE LIKE A MOFO!!

[blockustomz]

Back together, will have to hit the junk yard for a alternator wire cover that goes on top the vavle cover but atleast it looks minty all blacky..

[blockustomz]

put in the coilovers today maxed out drop at 3" according to the paper.

wheels next.. it needs it bad but atleast this will get rid of the 4x4 wheel gap..

low and slow

[Smaay]

valve cover looks awesome, should have done the intake manifold too

[cheela]

it's come a long way. looks great. but yes, rims are now in need.
what are you thinking of going with for rims?

[blockustomz]

it's come a long way. looks great. but yes, rims are now in need.
what are you thinking of going with for rims?

Not sure yet on rims... =(

[SwissFerdi]

I've got a set of tC wheels I'll let go for cheap.

[blockustomz]

Haven't updated this thread in a while, so for records here is what's going on. Decided after a year to take off the Plasti Dip and finally go for some new paint.
I did like the plasti dip but at the time I got stuck with the original white dip formal which had its problems. (heard they fixed alot of them) I also had a rust spot on the bottom of the passenger door that needed repair.


Dip came off pretty easy but I wish I tapped off alot of spots. It is.... what it is.. I ended up taking off doors, hood, trunk and got all the over spray dip off.
I fixed rust spots that I missed the first time and went over the car with some high grit sand paper.


Soooooo I am painting it Rustoleum Gloss Sail Blue.
Here is after 2 very thin coats.. Did I mention I am using a roller?? Yup, so this is going to take some time and I'll be back to post the complete project...
edit: Roof is going Rustoleum gloss black as well..

This post has been edited by blockustomz: Jan 30, 2015 - 1:35 PM

[PegGTS]

Wow that looks awesome for being rolled on! How hard is it to do? Do you need to do any primer or just scuff the clear and then paint?

[blockustomz]

Wow that looks awesome for being rolled on! How hard is it to do? Do you need to do any primer or just scuff the clear and then paint?

You have to do alot more coats and sanding due to how much you have to thin it out. It's always a good idea to do primer but I've seen many feather edges and scuff.
It goes on like glass for the most part so the more prep the better it looks. Google or youtube "50 dollar paint job" or "rust oleum paint job car rolled".
Do alot of research, there is also a thread on here with someone doing the same but black acouple years ago. Hope that helps.

[PegGTS]

Yeah I remember seeing that black one, it looked amazing...I'll have to look into this more this summer for sure

[blockustomz]

Well I guess I lied about posting when finished.. Almost done.



This is only with one cut and buff.

Still need to cut and buff hood & front bumper. Then Finish the black roof top - in pics:2 coats and a cut - no buff.
Lip kit still needs more paint too. It already looks great as you can see though.

[CelicaDICE]

This is awesome! Cant wait to see more updates in the near future!

[blockustomz]

This is awesome! Cant wait to see more updates in the near future!

I can't wait to finish it as well. Thanks for the reply.

[PegGTS]

Hnng this is making me want to do this more and more...

[cheela]

looks great! any close up shots?

also. love the color.

[blockustomz]

Finished ? Nope almost. BMW Rear roof wing added and the custom matrix center lip. Still working on the paint on some parts and its not perfect. not a show car.. budget build.
Gonna find some tires for the new wheels..

[PrimeLuxeZ]

Nice, its so nice seeing other coupe builds to compare my coupe with. I like it so far, what type of wheels do you plan on getting?
And what type of BMW is that roof spoiler off of? if you don't mind me knowing.

[blockustomz]

Nice, its so nice seeing other coupe builds to compare my coupe with. I like it so far, what type of wheels do you plan on getting?
And what type of BMW is that roof spoiler off of? if you don't mind me knowing.

I have some 16s im going to throw on for now when i find tires. I wouldnt mind some deep dish but i wanna upgrade suspension first .
The roof wing is a 99 s series. Its not a direct fit. I had to mod mine but its doable. Thanks

[blockustomz]

[blockustomz]

[PegGTS]

Looking good! Did you dip the wheels or paint them?

[blockustomz]

Looking good! Did you dip the wheels or paint them?

Thanks, I dip'd the wheels. 👍

[msk59]

valve cover looks awesome. What type of paint that is?

[blockustomz]

valve cover looks awesome. What type of paint that is?

Thanks, VHS black wrinkle paint if I remember correctly. Sold at auto part stores.

[msk59]

Thanks very much

[PrimeLuxeZ]

Hey man, I love your coupe, one of my many favorites. Seeing yours keeps me going with mine.
You remember me Im the guy with the Dark Blue coupe and white wheels from instagram.

[blockustomz]

Hey man, I love your coupe, one of my many favorites. Seeing yours keeps me going with mine.
You remember me Im the guy with the Dark Blue coupe and white wheels from instagram.

Thanks for the kind words. I remember doing that as well so I totally understand the keep me going thing.





This post has been edited by blockustomz: Apr 26, 2015 - 4:42 PM

[Box]

Is that Mariner Blue?

[blockustomz]

Is that Mariner Blue?

Rustoleum sail blue.

[Box]

Looks very similar to the Mariner Blue on the Miata, that and the Grabber Blue on the Mustang. Looks pretty good to be Rustoleum. If I end up getting my Miata rebuilt I'll probably do the same myself, but spray it on instead of using the roller method.

[blockustomz]

Looks very similar to the Mariner Blue on the Miata, that and the Grabber Blue on the Mustang. Looks pretty good to be Rustoleum. If I end up getting my Miata rebuilt I'll probably do the same myself, but spray it on instead of using the roller method.

Yeah next time I will spray as well. Faster turn around when you spray and of course much less sanding. Having said that I still would rather roll then pay someone else.