So I added the strakes I got for XMAS....WOW

What a difference. I took the grills off and removed all the wax from them, then I painted them with a light - gloss clearcoat. It made them a little shiney (not to much) and made them look great. Then I added the strakes and they make a HUGE difference in the looks of the car. I think they really compliment the car, and the mazdaspeed kit.

They are the plastic, replica, body-color strakes on ebay for around 80 bucks. The quality is great. It comes with clear instructions, even includes the screwdriver you need to use! The install is easy and takes about 20 mins start to finish.

 

Nice Job KY! I like the clear coat idea. I'm having my strakes gold plated to match the emblems. I decided to go with the gold to try and add a little color to the side of the car. I hope they turn out ok.

 

What kinda clearcoat did you use? sounds like an idea.

 

I got the plastic strakes from RX8Strakes.com with the same deal. Sounds like the same kit. I didn't think of clearcoating the vents though. The strakes do look good.

 

I used a krylon clear coat, its the one made to bond to plastic. It also says 1 coat is = to 3 coats of other paints...whatever.

I first cleaned all the old wax off, and then painted them in 2 coats, so that hopefully the wax wont stick to them anymore....and the light gloss looks nice.

 

Hey does that RX8 STRAKES site sell the brushed alluminum ones... or if not what do you guys think would look good on a black 8 ? Is Black on Black too much ?

 

I have heard of using silver on black but black on black looks good to me.

 

dammit, wish I had clear coated before I did the strakes... how difficult (would it be worth the effort) would it be to remove the strakes to do that (considering the double sided adhesive)?

 

I removed my strakes last week in order to cut off the pegs, they were just making them look a little crooked to me. Anyway, I had the adhesive on there, and it wasnt too difficult, just give the vent a pretty good amount of constant pressure and the adhesive will slowly peel off. Do it one strake at a time. First I pushed the top of the vent out, and slowly the top strake came off, then the same with the bottom part of the vent and the bottom strake. There were no marks on my paint or anything. I imagine you could use a hairdryer to heat the adhesive if you needed to, but it worked fine for me without it.

 

KYLiquid, You going to update your sig now LOL!

 

Thanks for using my picture of my 8 from the www.rx8strakes.com website

 

Yea, I am putting mine on this week, I got stainless steel strakes from Road Race Accessories from the UK for about 130.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mazda-RX8-Air-Ou...QQcmdZViewItem

looking forward to them.

 

I added lots this weekend. I added Rotary crests, front splash guards and Strakes, looks very good and was very easy to install.

 

What was involved with adding the splash guards? I've been thinking of getting these and was wondering if it was something the dealer should do. If I don't have to remove the wheels, I'll do it myself.

 

You don't have to remove the wheels. the front splash guards will require you to cut the rubber rail underneath the side of the car though. other than that, it's just screws and fasteners.

 

He is right it's a very simple job, but if your going to add strakes this will be the time to do it. I added both at the same time and since I already had the fender wheel loose already it was very easy to install then as well.

 

Do you guys think that sunlight silver strakes would look nasty on a black 8 has anyone done it... or maybe titanium gray ?

 

Just to clarify, are we talking nasty in a positive way, or negative? (sorry, I'm old school)

 

Same here man. When I say "nasty" I mean->

 

hah ... my bad... i meant would silver or titanium ones look ugly on a black or do you guys think they would look good ?

 

Since you (we) aren't ready to fork over 2 Franklins for the OEM Strakes, I think the
Sunlight Silver Strakes would be the next best thing on your black 8. The Titanium
might look cool too...
The Black on Black would get lost (at least they seem that way on the ones I've seen).
Once again, it's all a matter of taste and what you want.
Oh.... I too am "old school"...