[djdan]

Hello all,

I've had my escort since May of 2009, so a little over a year now. In that time, it has been an excellent first car, and I've always considered it a kick-arse little wagon. I love it.

In the last few weeks, I've made several big stylistic/appearance modifications, and I figured, why not share it with you guys. I know some will scold me for being ridiculous, others may consider this a waste of time, or the work of some teenage spanner. Regardless, I think it's pretty cool, and at least I'm not out vandalizing, and loitering, and whatever it is teenagers do these days...

Day 1 - Right after I bought it - May 2009

After installing my birthday present, the hubcaps - July 2009

Found on the side of the road - September 2009

Converting the dome lamp to LED - May 2010

Yellow paint job - May 2010

Interior LED lighting - May 2010

Exterior LED underglow - June 2010

The switches for the LED lighting

As you can see, the painting and lights are what I've done with my summer holidays... Just in time, considering they're over once I start my summer job on Monday.

Just a little background: the painting was done with spray cans, (it turned out quite good actually. My lazyness, and lack of desire to go out and buy more cans, is the only thing that restricted me from covering up every square centimeter of slightly un-yellow car,) and ended up costing about $275, including the body work. The lights were something like $30 for the interior and exterior, ordered on eBay from China somewhere.

Has anyone else done any mods like this to their Escorts? Please, let me know your thoughts. It's nowhere near professional, I am aware, but this was just a fun little project, for little money, to try and make a mean looking Escort, keep me occupied, and teach me some painting and body work skills.

 

[treeps95gt]

i will teach you everything i know..... after you throw out the hubcaps and go back to factory, or nice wheels

 

[ValleyScort96]

The original paint looked better honestly. If you could of gotten ahold of a compressor and a paint gun you could of done a better job and probably cheaper. As for the lighting, looks good not my style. Everyone starts somewhere.

 

[djdan]

@ ValleyScort96: The reason I went through and painted the whole car was because of rust spots beginning to form, despite previous touch ups and repainting. I figured, I could continue to patch up the spots with the expensive cans of OE colour paint, that didn't seen to last, or I could do a proper, full paint job. I opted for the latter. The goal was to be inexpensive, and as I didn't have most of the equipment, spray cans was really the easiest way. If I had an air compressor, and a big enough shelter, and a spray gun, then yes, raw materials like paint would have probably been cheaper, but I didn't have that equipment, unfortunately.

I agree, nothing beats the original, stock paint job. But, like you said, everyone starts somewhere!

 

[PEEWEE91]

@ ValleyScort96: The reason I went through and painted the whole car was because of rust spots beginning to form, despite previous touch ups and repainting. I figured, I could continue to patch up the spots with the expensive cans of OE colour paint, that didn't seen to last, or I could do a proper, full paint job. I opted for the latter. The goal was to be inexpensive, and as I didn't have most of the equipment, spray cans was really the easiest way. If I had an air compressor, and a big enough shelter, and a spray gun, then yes, raw materials like paint would have probably been cheaper, but I didn't have that equipment, unfortunately.

I agree, nothing beats the original, stock paint job. But, like you said, everyone starts somewhere!

you got rid of the rust right? and didnt paint over it

 

[djdan]

Of course. Any spots that had rust were sandblasted, and fiberglass putty+bondo'd where necessary.

 

[98EscortDude]

Where does one acquire such hub caps, i have never seen anything like those.

 

[juggalo]

walmart heh

 

[LOWETGT]

At least they aren't the spinner caps! uker:

 

[96_2dr_panel]

Spinner caps are the only thing that would make this car complete.

 

[juggalo]

HAHAHAHAHA

 

[dave8338]

Glad to see a teenager taking care of a car. Better yet, on an Escort wagon! Keep up the good work and any and all help I can be...let me know. :wink:

 

[djdan]

About the caps: they were purchased from Parts Source, I think it's pretty much a Canadian Tire sub-division.

As for spinners, funny thing. The person who bought these hubcaps for my birthday actually was looking for spinners first, but couldn't find any in hubcap form for 14" wheels. Truth: I'd have loved spinners.

@dave8338: Thanks for the support! I'd like to see this car last as long as it can. It only has about 157,000 KM on it, the body will go before the engine does, but at least now I've helped it last a bit longer.

 

[ValleyScort96]

Hey I'm guilty of doing something like that too. Used rustoleum to paint a car, had windshield washer squirters that light up.

You'll get better at this with time.

 

[MurderedEscort99]

It's a good thought but first off the hub caps. I would have rather you get the spinners that way they can b stolen. Those hubs no one wants. I do however like the paint job. But am scepticle about u not covering every square centimeter of the car. Because as u said there are some rust spots. If you didn't do this job correctly you will not only have the previous rust but new rust spots. Nice work in just a years time. I'm a teenager myself and with limited income as a teenager you have done a pretty good job. Underglow isn't rele my thing but its hard to fid a good color with yellow. Pm me if u want suggestions.

 

[djdan]

@MurderedEscort99: I know, the hubcaps are not exactly, desirable. However, they were a gift, and serve quite well as a joke. The car is hardly worth the money to buy a nice set of wheels, and though the stock hubcaps would look nicer, they don't bring much character/rediculousness to the car.

But am scepticle about u not covering every square centimeter of the car. Because as u said there are some rust spots.

I covered all the areas that had rust, or were bubbling. Areas I didn't cover include: all the area under the door panels, the underside of the hood, under the carpets. I covered the entire exterior, and all spot of rust (that had been sandblasted). Primer first, then paint. The end result wasn't 100% even, (some spots were darker as a result of not enough paint, thus showing the primer through), however it was indeed all covered and protected.

Understand that all this modification was done as a project, keep me occupied, get some experience, and above all, just for fun. I don't want to be "cool" like the teen with their souped out Civics, or else I'd have bought a Civic for that. Not interested. I did this just for the heck of it, to have a laugh with me and my friends. Nuff said.

 

[96_2dr_panel]

Well good for you. It's good to see someone who just wants to have fun and not be ridiculous about who's car is better than who's.

 

[treeps95gt]

^^ agreed, well put

 

[MurderedEscort99]

reply

I was hopeing the hubs were to b funny. for a fun project car I can see where u are coming from. I'm so happy u didn't go through with the civic. I wasn't meaning to be a dick just making sure u didn't do a half ass job because that fun projext turns into a nighmare.

 

[Craigsnedeker]

Car would look sick with black wheels/tint