EK9: Strut braces restoration & documents from Japan

So. I have been busy in the last few weeks collecting stuff and getting some minor work done, while the car is in hibernation. Let’s start with the stuff I got from  Japan.
First, I forgot to show you the parts manual “No. 8” which was in the last post, but without any details:

It’s the “final version” parts manual for the EK-series, so it covers all hatchback versions including the latest models before the model change

Then, I got this:

On the left side, there is a Civic EK9 promotional VHS Video, that was supposed to run on displays in the Honda Primo showrooms in Japan, to promote the new Car. It features racing driver Hideki Okada, who shows how to handle and drive the TypeR.
I will try to have it digitized, as it appears that this video is nowhere to be found on YouTube or so yet.

The other one is a Mugen 2001 Catalogue, including all the EK9 parts. This one was missing in my collection, and since it was for sale locally for 2 bucks, I had to have it.

I also managed to get a set of two original Press release photos from the (prefacelift) EK9, which I thought was cool. Still trying to obtain an original press folder, though.

And then the actual work: While looking at my recently obtained, kind-of-rare optional Honda access Aluminum strut braces, I realized that they had plenty of ugly scratch marks

And the mounting plates had some corrosion.

So I decided to restore them. First the brackets came off and went into the sandblaster:

Before and after:

Luckily, I was able to find a proper rattle can spray paint in the local hardware shop, with just the (almost) correct color and texture:

I set up an improvised spray booth in my workshop:

And done:

Turned out quite good, if you ask me:

Now back to those scratches. I thought i can easily sand them out.

But it turns out the original aluminum was additionally primared and painted in silver, for whatever reason. So once I started sanding, I realized I had to sand them down completely:

Also decided to give the mounting hardware a bit of a ruts protection and touch up:

I still have to get a lot of sanding done and then some painting, but, most of the parts are ready for assembly:

I’m also trying to find a set of original strut braces stickers. So far I was only able to find new ones for the Integra. Unfortunately, I have no parts catalogue that show the EK9 strut tower braces including part numbers, so it appears these are tricky to find, but I’m currently trying to work it out with my new friends in Japan.

I hope i’m able to finish the bars soon and install them, and I have some other stuff on the way here from Japan, so stay tuned for another update, soon.