For an $1100 optioned paint job I would expect the paint process to be better, no?

 

unlikely. Id think of it as more of a "limited edition" Z with a limited production of that color.

 

the dealership told me otherwise, but I want a definitive answer from someone who doesn't want to sell me a car

 

I have nothing to compare it too, but overall i would say the paint is no more durable. I have 3100 miles on mine and i am so glad i had the clear bra installed cause i already have several rock chips where the bra doesn't cover. I also opened the door into my bass boat yesterday and the paint seems to chip really easy on door edge .

 

Hmmph...on www.nissanusa.com when building a 350Z, even though I chose the Daytona Blue color, that $1100 extra for the "liquid aluminum" option is available on the Touring model?? What exactly is it, if anyone knows?? Is it silver paint, i.e. aluminum, or is it a nicer clear coat over the blue color I want?? Sorry if my questions are retarded...I'm a NOOB and saving up for my Z...see signature below!!

 

I read they use some special 'cross hatch' primer on it, but other than that, it doesn't look that spectacular. I thought it would have been like the show car of 2002.

 

The color is actually silver.

 

Never ever believe a dealership. Most of those salesmen only know a fraction about the Z comopared to the average "my350z" member.

 

duh... but I still haven't gotten a definitive answer here

 

Its probably a special paint process, could be a three stage paint instead of a two stage, Corvette has two special colors that are optioned colors that use three stages including a tinted rather than clear clear coat.

BTW, "thick" paint is not really a good thing.............

 

Explain? I had a Subaru WRX and the paint was awfully thin; it scratched incredibly easily.

 

I have looked up the formula for Liquid Aluminum in several aftermarket brands of paint and there is nothing 'special' about the formula its just silver with a little black in it. Unless the aftermarket paint manufacturers just haven't come up with the correct formulation yet, i would have to assume that this is a limited production color for Nissan.

what kevin means by thick paint is when paint is applied heavily then you get texture or orange peel effect. Plus as more and more coats of paint go on a vehicle you lose some adhesion properties. All paints scratch easily, some colors show the scratches better than others. You can get paint that is more durable but the appearance qualities diminish. Also, thin paint does not make it scratch easier, it may seem so since when you scratch it, you can see the primer or metal. The molecular bond of the paint is what prevents scratching. Paint manufactureres could make paint that is harder to scratch but this means its also very tough to buff, which means it must be applied perfect. Which it is nearly impossible to paint a car without getting some kind of debris in one spot and it would be very hard to remove. Don't worry one of these days the parts will just be impregnated with the paint and no matter how many scratches you have the color will still be there. After a collision the panels will just be removed and replaced with panels the same color. I

 

As Reese said, thin or thick has no bearing on how easy it scratches, all paint has scratched fairly easy since the EPA took the lead out of paint years back.

Thick paint is basically unstable on the surface and actually chips and cracks way easier than a good flat smooth paint finish.