Notices
2003-2009 Nissan 350Z

I'm a little O.C.D. ...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 19, 2017 | 04:43 PM
  #1  
JAC-Z33's Avatar
JAC-Z33
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: East TN
Default I'm a little O.C.D. ...

And I am fine with that. I don't post on here really ay all, but my friends are getting tired of me sharing updates about my car.

I bought my car knowing it was far from perfect, but I enjoy the challenge. Ever since I bought the car my life has been a wild ride (Stitches, lost a friend, broken bones, trying to start my own shop, hit a coyote with the car, and more)
. Any how, I have finally gotten to work on it. I started with repairing the coyote damage, cleaning, adjusting, and making everything perfect. I've started tiddy'ing up the interior, & this week end I am pulling the trans.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2017 | 04:44 PM
  #2  
JAC-Z33's Avatar
JAC-Z33
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: East TN
Default

Not sure where my pictures are.....?
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2017 | 04:46 PM
  #3  
JAC-Z33's Avatar
JAC-Z33
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: East TN
Default

Reply
Old Sep 19, 2017 | 04:47 PM
  #4  
JAC-Z33's Avatar
JAC-Z33
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: East TN
Default

Reply
Old Sep 19, 2017 | 04:49 PM
  #5  
JAC-Z33's Avatar
JAC-Z33
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: East TN
Default



This is why you shouldn't buy cheap "ebay" or "amazon" parts. They are crap and they break.
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2017 | 04:50 PM
  #6  
JAC-Z33's Avatar
JAC-Z33
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: East TN
Default



But luckily for me, I can fix anything AND make it better....
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2017 | 04:51 PM
  #7  
JAC-Z33's Avatar
JAC-Z33
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: East TN
Default

Reply
Old Sep 19, 2017 | 06:19 PM
  #8  
bmccann101's Avatar
bmccann101
350Z-holic
Premier Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,321
Likes: 467
From: Scottsdale/coyote drophouse
Default

the 06 headlight is a vast improvement in looks as well as function. something to consider if you're ocd.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2017 | 03:57 AM
  #9  
oldschool350z's Avatar
oldschool350z
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,513
Likes: 9
From: NY
Default

What’s wrong with the transmission??
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2017 | 01:57 PM
  #10  
NR350z's Avatar
NR350z
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 197
Likes: 15
From: New Jersey
Default

Originally Posted by JAC-Z33
Are you pointing out fogged up vs not fogged up? If so, what did you use? The one on the right looks brand-spanking new !
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2017 | 04:15 PM
  #11  
JAC-Z33's Avatar
JAC-Z33
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: East TN
Default

Originally Posted by NR350z
Are you pointing out fogged up vs not fogged up? If so, what did you use? The one on the right looks brand-spanking new !

The clear one looked like the foggy one before I began. I also did some painting on the clear one.

I am pretty proud of my method & love to share;

You do need a dual action buffer. If you are really good with a high speed buffer, that works as well, but the plastic can burn or haze quickly. I guess you could hand polish as well, but that will be a lot of work.

Items:
A clay bar
Dual action buffer
Medium or light/medium pad & light/finish pad
Medium polish & fine polish (I am using chemical guys V34, V36, & V38 right now & like it. You don't have to go to the V38 tho realy)

800 grit wet/dry sand paper
3M 1200/1500 performance soft sanding sponge (sponge is very important)
3M white Super fine hand pad (like a green scouring pad)

Sorry I listed the item out of order but this is how is goes.

If you are not removing headlights from your car, tape of the areas around the lens

1. Clean headlight lens with soap & water
2. Clay bar (you don't have to, but this endures you do not drag dirt through the sand paper or buffer
3. Rinse
4. Take 800 grit wet/dry sand paper & fold it around one of the sanding sponges. Keep the sand paper wet & carefully sand in a cross hatch patern. Dry & check frequently. You want a solid & smooth white haze.
5. Rinse, dry, & check for uniformity (all silky white)
6. With water sand again sand with 3M 1200/1500 performance soft sanding sponge. Occasionally dry & check for uniformity. You should have a smooth hazy/translucent finish now.
7. Rinse thoroughly
8. Rub it down wet one more time with the 3M white Super fine sanding pad. You should end with an almost clear lense.
9. Rinse & dry thoroughly
10. Re tape if needed
11. Start buffing with a medium to light/medium buffining pad & the V34. First cross hatch passes with medium pressure, then a few passes with light pressure. Then wipe clear.
12. Repeat step 11 with same pad, but V36 comound.
13. Repeat step 11 again, but with the light/finishing pad & V38
14. Show off!

I'll make a video on this soon. There are variations & different techniques, but this is the one that never fails me.


Reply
Old Sep 20, 2017 | 04:20 PM
  #12  
JAC-Z33's Avatar
JAC-Z33
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: East TN
Default

Originally Posted by bmccann101
the 06 headlight is a vast improvement in looks as well as function. something to consider if you're ocd.
That is what I really want. I don't drive much at night though, so I am honestly going to weight both types & pickthe lightest. It seems silly, but that's just me.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2017 | 04:22 PM
  #13  
JAC-Z33's Avatar
JAC-Z33
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: East TN
Default


Trying to restore some rough track wheels. I still want to paint them bronze or copper.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2017 | 04:31 PM
  #14  
JAC-Z33's Avatar
JAC-Z33
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: East TN
Default









Some of the progress pictures. I liked the dual lighting source & played with some of these on my SnapSeed app.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2017 | 04:34 PM
  #15  
JAC-Z33's Avatar
JAC-Z33
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: East TN
Default






Paint and bake, just like econo paint, or macco.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2017 | 04:40 PM
  #16  
JAC-Z33's Avatar
JAC-Z33
Thread Starter
New Member
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 26
Likes: 3
From: East TN
Default















Some more pics of the headlights
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2017 | 12:28 PM
  #17  
iideadeyeii's Avatar
iideadeyeii
New Member
10 Year Member
Community Favorite
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,025
Likes: 477
From: Lawtown
Default

Good job on the headlights. I might try this on my daily tonight except with a custom pad I made and meguiars ultimate(works better than stuff I paid triple for)
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2017 | 01:17 PM
  #18  
zakmartin's Avatar
zakmartin
New Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 512
From: Seattle, WA
Default

Originally Posted by JAC-Z33
1. Clean headlight lens with soap & water
2. Clay bar (you don't have to, but this endures you do not drag dirt through the sand paper or buffer
3. Rinse
4. Take 800 grit wet/dry sand paper & fold it around one of the sanding sponges. Keep the sand paper wet & carefully sand in a cross hatch patern. Dry & check frequently. You want a solid & smooth white haze.
5. Rinse, dry, & check for uniformity (all silky white)
6. With water sand again sand with 3M 1200/1500 performance soft sanding sponge. Occasionally dry & check for uniformity. You should have a smooth hazy/translucent finish now.
7. Rinse thoroughly
8. Rub it down wet one more time with the 3M white Super fine sanding pad. You should end with an almost clear lense.
9. Rinse & dry thoroughly
10. Re tape if needed
11. Start buffing with a medium to light/medium buffining pad & the V34. First cross hatch passes with medium pressure, then a few passes with light pressure. Then wipe clear.
12. Repeat step 11 with same pad, but V36 comound.
13. Repeat step 11 again, but with the light/finishing pad & V38
14. Show off!
You're going to want to spray some UV protectant clearcoat on those lights after all the stripping you just did or they're going to cloud out pretty fast. They do look nice though
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2017 | 06:18 AM
  #19  
iideadeyeii's Avatar
iideadeyeii
New Member
10 Year Member
Community Favorite
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,025
Likes: 477
From: Lawtown
Default

Originally Posted by zakmartin
You're going to want to spray some UV protectant clearcoat on those lights after all the stripping you just did or they're going to cloud out pretty fast.
This is true. I've polished lights before(no sand) and they fogged back up within a year.
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2017 | 06:37 AM
  #20  
KingBaby's Avatar
KingBaby
Hardest Setting
Premier Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,406
Likes: 130
From: MexiCali dodging potholes
Default

Very nice !

Also check sideskirts for decades of dirt and grime

also rear bumper space is nest for spiders

keep it up !
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 07:02 AM.