What's up with the paint on the Z???
Charter Member #40
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
VQracer,
Yes, I agree there is some orange peel on this silver model.
I was hoping that others might take pictures of their cars for comparison. Perhaps this is "just how the factory does it."
Here's the relative angle of the cars for the mirror compare shot.
Yes, I agree there is some orange peel on this silver model.
I was hoping that others might take pictures of their cars for comparison. Perhaps this is "just how the factory does it."
Here's the relative angle of the cars for the mirror compare shot.
I think the paint looks good, but...
My silverstone paint seems to be very smooth, i did clay it this weekend and i found about 3 tiny paint flaws. What i mean is, i found about 3 tiny spots that look like primer, but they are not rock chips, it's totally smooth and shiny like the metallic paint didn't adhere to that tiny spot and they clear coated it. You normally wouldn't even see these flaws unless you were inspecting every square inch. But since i was doing a clay job, it was easy to spot. Anyways, just wanted to see if anyone else noticed this or not.
Registered User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Picked mine up friday. VIN 1141. Orange Peel is pretty apperant, but it doesnt bother me that much. You'd have to be closer than about 10 inches from the paint to notice, and even then only under
certain lighting. Not really something Im overly concerned with.
certain lighting. Not really something Im overly concerned with.
Charter Member #40
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
Hmm...
I keep thinking that it must be because I am in the 200's for the second production line (*T1xx2xx) perhaps mine was one of the first blue ones that went through that particular line. The obvious "smudge" or "blemish" that I spoke spoke of really looks like someone was testing the paint, either for thickness or dry time. There are three separate markings, and it doesn't look like they happened on the same pass. This set of markings is on the right rear fender, and it's the first thing that you see if you approach from that side of the car.
I saw it as I was walking for the first time toward the car, and one other fellow who had ordered a Z also commented on the smudge as he saw it the first time. The frightening thing is that his wife noticed as well, and she tried to wipe "it" off.
...didn't work.
Maybe it's OK that I have a thicker layer of paint in-case I get dinged, but the orangepeel will drive me nuts.
This picture does not do the flaw justice, but perhaps someone can help interpret what this is. I get the mental image of trying to bake a cake, but to test to see if it's done you stick a toothpick in it. Each time you pull the toothpick out, you get an idea of how dry it is, but you also leave a hole in the cake. Replace the toothpick with a flat piece of plastic or wood, and replace the cake with my car. That's the image I see.
I keep thinking that it must be because I am in the 200's for the second production line (*T1xx2xx) perhaps mine was one of the first blue ones that went through that particular line. The obvious "smudge" or "blemish" that I spoke spoke of really looks like someone was testing the paint, either for thickness or dry time. There are three separate markings, and it doesn't look like they happened on the same pass. This set of markings is on the right rear fender, and it's the first thing that you see if you approach from that side of the car.
I saw it as I was walking for the first time toward the car, and one other fellow who had ordered a Z also commented on the smudge as he saw it the first time. The frightening thing is that his wife noticed as well, and she tried to wipe "it" off.
...didn't work. Maybe it's OK that I have a thicker layer of paint in-case I get dinged, but the orangepeel will drive me nuts.
This picture does not do the flaw justice, but perhaps someone can help interpret what this is. I get the mental image of trying to bake a cake, but to test to see if it's done you stick a toothpick in it. Each time you pull the toothpick out, you get an idea of how dry it is, but you also leave a hole in the cake. Replace the toothpick with a flat piece of plastic or wood, and replace the cake with my car. That's the image I see.
Last edited by HEUGE; Sep 8, 2002 at 07:52 PM.
Banned
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 13,063
Likes: 0
From: Smackahoe Blvd
This is a fact with modern cars. If you had to ask someone what it was and you never noticed it on your own, why the hell worry about it?? Stop being so **** and start driving your cars. You didn't buy them to put them in a freakin museum I hope.
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
I have been **** as well.. I now notice four seperate rattles in my car, although you can't hear them unless you know what to hear for and from where. One in the defrost vent on the dashboard, one from the tachometer (inside the instrument panel), one from the passenger sun visor, and one from the rear strut tower bar --probably from the plastic enclosure. I took it to the dealer and the mechanic heard all of them, he's waiting until next week for the "squeak and rattle kit" for the 350Z to come in.. I guess it's assorted pieces to reduce squeaks and rattles specifically for that car.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Originally posted by raceboy
This is a fact with modern cars. If you had to ask someone what it was and you never noticed it on your own, why the hell worry about it?? Stop being so **** and start driving your cars. You didn't buy them to put them in a freakin museum I hope.
This is a fact with modern cars. If you had to ask someone what it was and you never noticed it on your own, why the hell worry about it?? Stop being so **** and start driving your cars. You didn't buy them to put them in a freakin museum I hope.
If it bothers you guys so bad, give your Z back (or better yet, to someone with a W order number) and get a Audi TT.
I never had any orange peel on my 06. I had all my Nismo items painted by a budy who intern did a free detail. The whole car looks like glass!
I think its how you take care of the paint! Never seen any other Z's that were taken care of properly have peel either. Maybe I should get out more
I think its how you take care of the paint! Never seen any other Z's that were taken care of properly have peel either. Maybe I should get out more
New Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 196
Likes: 7
From: San Diego
Just bought my '04 Z. After I read this post I took a look outside - whaddya know - orange peel. Had to get it at the right angle, but its there.
Can't be buffed out, you need cutting grade or wet sand to grind it down, and then buff, polish, wax.
Can't say I care enough to do it, only I know its there.
Can't be buffed out, you need cutting grade or wet sand to grind it down, and then buff, polish, wax.
Can't say I care enough to do it, only I know its there.
New Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 196
Likes: 7
From: San Diego
I have been **** as well.. I now notice four seperate rattles in my car, although you can't hear them unless you know what to hear for and from where. One in the defrost vent on the dashboard, one from the tachometer (inside the instrument panel), one from the passenger sun visor, and one from the rear strut tower bar --probably from the plastic enclosure. I took it to the dealer and the mechanic heard all of them, he's waiting until next week for the "squeak and rattle kit" for the 350Z to come in.. I guess it's assorted pieces to reduce squeaks and rattles specifically for that car.
They made a shake and rattle kit in '02...the first year of release?
GTFO nissan
Don't read more into it than meaningful. 1) Rattle kit is not model specific - used on any car of any year. 2) Contains varying thickness foam & tape used to secure squeeky, loose parts and panels. Every car manufacturer has them.
