new pics of the ride '04 m45 y34

[ronez82]

Washed, polished, and waxed today. As of now I have smoked the side marker lights and the signals on the mirrors. I have also replace the rotors with slotted and cross drilled with ceramic pads hopefully no more warped rotors. Next will be a set of wheels to get rid of the curbed ones from the previous owner.

Enjoy the pics

[CakeDaddy]

Let me be the first to say that you are bring the pain. Im loving your brake & caliper work. Do you care yo share your smoke tips on those orange & red side marks. I've been digging that look for a while now.

[Mark Linkous]

Hello,Very nice pictures my fellow Floridian 2004 M45 owner. I really like the lighting on the pictures. Cool sky.What kind of tint are you rocking? It looks like 20 all around. Obsidian Black is absolutely one of the best colors on the Y34. So long as it is swirl free. While many owners of 2006+ M35/45's and G35's have issues with paint chipping, I think the paint on the Y34 seems much less problematic. Makes sense given the donor car (Cedric/Gloria) was implemented and designed before Le' Cost Cutter Carlos Ghosn. Really nice.Cheers,ML

[jadeM45]

Nice car, black was the other color I was looking for in the search of mine. I like the caliper. Looks nice.

[ronez82]

The smoked lights are simple Ebay film to smoke taillights and such. It is the dark smoke if I recall it was the darkest I could get besides complete black. I took the lights out of the car except the passenger rear I could not get to so I had to do it on the car. I just used a hair dryer and stretched it around the lights looks great. I was considering the smoke paint but was a little afraid to commit that much. I also put yellow bulbs in the fogs I think it gives a nice contrast against the color of the headlights and white LED's in the license plate lights. Also added chrome bulbs to the front and rear turn signals to loose the yellow look the stock bulbs gave. It especially looks good on the front to get rid of that little yellow on the corners and makes everything the same color.

The brake rotors are from R1concepts.com. They are zinc plated so they will not rust. I got the same ceramic pads from Advance Auto that I had on my Jetta low/no dust and they stop great. Install was easy. These are a little more noisy than stock but I would trade that for the warping anyday. I am not sure if it is a combo between the pads and the rotors or just the rotors. I did not have drilled/slotted on my Jetta and it was quiet with the ceramic pads. About 1500 miles so far and all has been fine with the brakes. They do stop harder than stock.

The paint is another story. When I got the car it was swirled like crazy with lots of scratches everywhere. I have been going at it trying to get that nice shine. I think I finally got it yesterday still a few more spots to touch up next time I get to it and completely detail the car again I will take care of the rest. Black is great as long as it is clean and taken care of properly otherwise it is a nightmare.

[CakeDaddy]

Ronez82--

Good deal… I’d appreciate it if you hook me up with that ebay source for the smoke film.

I feel you on this black paint !!

Here is what I did:It took me 6 hours over two weekends, but it was well worth it. I used a 6inch Ryobi dual action buffer/polisher that made the job easier. My car looks amazing, especially with the sun hitting against it. I'll show some pics later and the buffer I used was nothing great and I've never attempted this type of work before and I came out with all smiles

As long as I own a black car I'll live a die by the following products:

3M Professional Grade Products1200 Grit Extra Cut Compound (part num-06060)Swirl Mark Remover/Polish (part num -06064)Perfect-It 300 UltraFina SE Final Step (part num -06068)

THESE ARE NOT HAND JOB PRODUCTS. GET YOURSELF A DUAL ACTION BUFFER

1st – Wash the car thoroughly2nd – Dry the car with a leaf blower3rd – 3M 1200 Grit Extra Cut Compound , part num 06060 (as seen in pic)4th – 3M Swirl Mark Remover, part 06064 (as seen in pic)5th - 3M Ultra Fina SE Perfect 3000, part num 06068 (as seen in pic)Like I said earlier.. this job takes over 6hrs and it aint for the weak and impatient.

Modified by CakeDaddy at 12:30 PM 8/22/2008
Modified by CakeDaddy at 12:34 PM 8/22/2008

[jdwall1013]

Nice pics and like C Daddy said black cars are a lot of work. Every time you wash it you should wax it. That's the only way to keep the paint finish up.

[jbillion]

Very clean!! Lovin the brakes too. Who makes the rotors and calipers? How much?

[ronez82]

This is the link for the smoke film. I got the 12" by 24" sheet and was plenty to do all 4 lights and the 2 mirrors. I had enough left over for 2 more if I messed any up.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...54014

The rotors came from R1concepts.com. I am unsure of the brand but from my research I think they are Brembos that R1 slotted and drilled. I paid about $200 for all 4 shipped. The calipers are stock.