Painting a 240sx

[greendusk]

Thanks guys. If I could go back in time, I would have used a better gun and probably not removed the doors, hood, trunk & fenders and just painted them on the car. I bet it would have gone much quicker.

Now working on the new cloth top & tinted rear window, then door / sideskirts / front bumper install and window & fender alignment. Hoping to be roadworthy in January!

Always next time. You had to learn a lot

[blkvrtswp]

Lots of progress despite the average temp of 30 over the past 3 weeks. Tomorrow I am finishing up the front bumper and fender extensions - needs 60+ degrees for the 3M Adhesion Promoter and 3M trim attachment tape. I might have to break out the hairdryer.....

Top is on hold for warmer temps - I can't get the wrinkles out in the cold. Very close to a test drive.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Its soooo awesomely bluuuuueeee!

[SoundEfx]

Show car quality right there.

Wicked work man.

[blkvrtswp]

Thanks guys. Almost done, I just need a day above freezing to roll her out and wash off the dust and fingerprints. Then I'll take some well-lit pictures.

I also have some small areas with questions about paint chipping / cracking and how to seal it properly. Plus I can calculate a final price for the job.

It's been very cold here in NY this winter, sure slows me down!

[blkvrtswp]

Couldn't resist one teaser picture today. Can't wait for SPRING TEMPS and for the salt to be off the roads!

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Looks good!!

[GoodzKouki]

This car looks absolutely amazing . Nice job, can't wait for some more pics when the weather gets nice.

[blkvrtswp]

On the road, test driven, almost have the new top on. Ready for some cruising!

(Don't mind the water spots on the hood....)

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Looking good!
That top looks like it is a mega pain in the a** to put on.

[blkvrtswp]

The top job actually is not that bad if you are careful and constantly measure and center it. It's really the amount of stuff that has to be removed to get to the top that is challenging. I have the back on and am trying to finish up the front today.

I'm bummed I did not get to use the rear window curtain with the tinted plastic. That was part of a vinyl top & window I bought from eBay for $170. Not impressed with the quality when compared to the replacement window curtain I got 3-4 years ago for around $100. The 'piping' that holds it in the 4th bow was weak and flimsy but the killer for me was no velcro above the window to stick the top to the window. Well, at least I am all cloth for the top now.

So I managed to get out for a short cruise to a friends BBQ yesterday. Snapped a few pics - I'll get more when the top is done and the boot cover & well trim is on.

I'm really happy with the color and the overall paint job results. I have a few nicks & scratches & chips but they are minor; a few edges of the plastic skirts / valences were missed - rookie mistakes. I need to figure out how to make up some touch-up paint from my raw paint components and take care of some spots.

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Put your windows down FFS! hahah

[blkvrtswp]

Oh I would - but the DS quarter window won't go down! It's either the motor or the wiring/switch. So I left them all up!

[r3b]

Commenting when I have to paint my 1991, going to be doing a red ( maybe the factory) and then a black bottom. Then some 180sx type x body pieces or mis match with some other kits. Love that shade of blue!

[blkvrtswp]

Commenting when I have to paint my 1991, going to be doing a red ( maybe the factory) and then a black bottom. Then some 180sx type x body pieces or mis match with some other kits. Love that shade of blue!

Thanks! I almost went with Lava Orange ha ha! Good luck painting and my best advice is: You can get away with cheap paint (Eastwood.com thecoatingstore.com for example) but do not use those cheap Harbor Freight paint guns. Rent or borrow a $300 paint gun and avoid almost all the troubles I had.

[r3b]

How much in total did you end up spending? The paint on my car is pretty good and I have no real reason to re paint it besides some small rock dents from the previous owner drifting. If im going to paint the car, im going to do it right but only thing is find a place to paint. I kinda have an extension on to my house but there is only about 2 feet of room around the car so over spray will be an issue.

[pepesilvia]

yessssss! looks insane!

[blkvrtswp]

How much in total did you end up spending? The paint on my car is pretty good and I have no real reason to re paint it besides some small rock dents from the previous owner drifting. If im going to paint the car, im going to do it right but only thing is find a place to paint. I kinda have an extension on to my house but there is only about 2 feet of room around the car so over spray will be an issue.

I'll add up the money spent and give a total - it's around $1200 for paint, supplies and tools including compressor and paint booth.

2 feet around the car will not work well - even if you take the fenders, doors & bumpers off you will still not have room to do the rocker panels and lower quarter panels. I had trouble even with around double that space on each side. It's not overspray that is the problem, it's room to move the full paint gun and air hose back and forth at the right angles.

[kingtal0n]

this thread is an inspiration, thank you for sharing !

I've seen a few cars get "show" quality paint jobs (close enough) and what really brings out the finish is the final wetsand / buff, there is a guy here that everybody uses, hes done at least one thousand cars I am sure, by himself- he will take a razor blade and sort of scrape the surface of the fresh clear coat before finally wet sanding and buffing. The painter for the business thats done hundreds of show quality cars actually told me once that he puts an extra thick clear coat so that the guy who buffs it can take some off.

here is one of the cars painted/buffed. The cost of materials is about $2000 includes a new windshield, always remove all glass and seals, and enough paint to do the bay as well. They sort of tie up (wrap up) the chassis harness so it does not have to come out, it hangs there while someone squeezes the trigger.

[blkvrtswp]

Got the new top on - it looks great! I just have to wax the new paint now and call this project completed.

I was planning to color sand and buff, but I am not sure I have enough clear coat on for an amateur job so I skipped it. So no show car finish, you can see mild orange peel up close on some panels. But I am totally satisfied with the outcome.

Time to enjoy it this summer!

[blkvrtswp]

Thanks f***. I don't have the time to redo all my threads so.....this is now useless along with all my other how-to posts. I guess everyone is on their own.