Project: Nismo roadster
#441
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
https://my350z.com/forum/exterior-an...-code-kh2.html
Still not definitive (particularly with the last msg on that thread) but close enough for re-doing all four wheels - completely, not spot painting.
#442
Registered User
iTrader: (15)
It sounds like it should be a no brainer to paint the entire wheel face rather than spot paint. However, I was hoping to keep as much of the original finish as possible. Also, I only have a pint of paint and I am not sure that would cover the entire wheel face. These wheel repair guys probably do not paint the entire wheel, but, of course, they are experts at spot painting and blending.
#444
Knew I read that too somewhere here:
https://my350z.com/forum/exterior-an...-code-kh2.html
Still not definitive (particularly with the last msg on that thread) but close enough for re-doing all four wheels - completely, not spot painting.
https://my350z.com/forum/exterior-an...-code-kh2.html
Still not definitive (particularly with the last msg on that thread) but close enough for re-doing all four wheels - completely, not spot painting.
This discussion is pushing me to paint the entire outer face of the rims rather than spot painting. if I need more paint, I guess I can go buy more paint. Hopefully the shop still has the formula so they can just mix me up a batch if I need it.
#445
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
#447
I removed the tape on the rims and sanded them with 220 wet and 320 wet to prepare the entire face for paint.
Later, I made the first long drive in the car....220 miles round trip. The car performed well and felt great on the freeway. It is really nice on freeway ramps. I had the top down the whole way, like it should be. It made the trip much more enjoyable. The stop and go traffic was bearable with the automatic tranny. The seats did not produce any backaches, especially since my Nismo seats are heated! Looking forward to getting some paint on the rims this weekend...cheers for now.
Later, I made the first long drive in the car....220 miles round trip. The car performed well and felt great on the freeway. It is really nice on freeway ramps. I had the top down the whole way, like it should be. It made the trip much more enjoyable. The stop and go traffic was bearable with the automatic tranny. The seats did not produce any backaches, especially since my Nismo seats are heated! Looking forward to getting some paint on the rims this weekend...cheers for now.
#449
350Z/370Z Tech Moderator
MY350Z.COM
MY350Z.COM
#452
Thanks Gents! I used a single stage paint ehich does not require clear coat. I think its built in. I used a Harbor Freight touch up gun, which is smaller than a regular HVLP gun. I did have a few mishaps. First, the attached pressure regulator seems to have failed. I simply removed it and regulated the pressure using the valve at the compressor, keeping the pressure at around 35 psi. Also, the cone filters that I use when I'm pouring paint into the gun we're too big for this gun and I spilled paint all over my washing machine which thankfully cleaned up easily. I shot three coats...a light first coat, and two medium coats. I used the valve stem for a reference so I made sure I got the entire wheel. The weather was perfect for painting... 80 degrees, low humidity, and no wind, at least for the moment. the problem started when the wind kicked up a little bit and in two instances, the paper that I used to protect the tires bent forward and touched the paint. I removed the offending bit of paper and hit it with the spray gun and it did a pretty good job of covering it up. I let the Wheels bake in the Sun all day and the temperatures got well into the nineties which is great for baking the paint. I will let the paint cure for a day or two and then apply the requisite Nismo decals and mount the wheels on the car. I imagine that will be on Sunday, although that is Father's Day and I will probably be spending the entire day with my children. in any event, when the wheels are on the car, I will get my GoPro camera out and do a walk around of the car so you guys can see it on video and I will explain all the things that I have done to the car and perhaps future plans for it.
Last edited by DeusExMaxima; 06-19-2015 at 11:26 PM.
#458
Ok...Here we go. The Nismo rims are finished. I let the paint dry for a while in our hot so cal sun. Today, I had Nismo decals made, and stuck them on the rims on the correct spoke with the red O on the outer part of the rim. Then I swapped the rims for my Track rims. With the installation of the Nismo rims on the car, the project is essentially complete. All the Nismo parts that can be added to the car have been done with the exception of the finned differential cover. Here is a night shot with more pics to follow and a video too: