Thinking of painting...

[99QX4]

I was thinking of painting the black plastic piece on the rear bumper of my 99 QX4. Like all the other QX4's with the same black plastic, mine fades. I apply trim restorer after i wash the car, but when it rains it gets these fade marks and it is very annoying. A friend suggested that i paint the plastic piece to match my bumper, and I thought about it, but remain undecided. I guess it would look alright, but what if i don't like it? I could always sand it down again and have it painted black. My father owns a body shop, so it wouldn't be that big of a problem. What do you all think? :help

[Jeff Williams]

Paint it to match the rest of the truck. It looks much better, than black.

[99QX4]

Thanks for the input! I would paint it the color of my bumper, since it is different than the top half of the car. But i got a suggestion to paint it the top color? I think the darker silver, the color of the bumper would look better right?

[911/Q45]

If you want to stay with black, Griot's Garage has a great trim dye that's easy to apply if you clean the wax off with naptha.

[Jeff Williams]

Yes, the bumper color would look better. It would not be so "busy", and look like a special edition paint job from the factory.

[99QX4]

Well, I like to be different from everybody, and having a custom two tone QX4 helps, but i still feel i can stand out more!:pface I'm just nervous!

[Jeff Williams]

To be really different, put some pearl ghost flames on the hood.:ylsuper

[Q451990]

The problem with trying to match the bumper color is getting the color exactly right! I'd go for the two-tone, or getting the black to stay black by applying repeated coats of the trim restorer (say daily for a week) to let it soak in. Might help it stay black longer... had an old 86 Honda with black bumpers, and repeated coats of Armor All (all we had in the late 80s, early 90s) seemed to help.

Heath

[Jeff Williams]

I got some bumper restorer, from Peterson's Parts & Accessories, for my old '86 Honda, and it worked for about a week. I had to re-apply every wash, but it makde the car look much better. I think it even helped me sell the car.

[99QX4]

I have trim restorer, and it works very well, and definately makes the car look better. I just get tired of reapplying it and sometimes when i wash my car i don't have it with me and it just brings makes the whole "just washed look". But i have to get a couple of things done to my car anyway, like dings from people opening their doors. The bumper needs a little fix too, so it's not like i would be getting this done specially. And like i said i like to be different!:D

[Jeff Williams]

Don't New York taxi drivers learn to drive in bumper cars? No offense, but when I went to New York, it seemed like every car had bumper rash. Most parking spaces were so small, a SUV could't even fit! I think the cab driver hit 4 cars, in a 20 minute ride, and never stopped.

I would nevertake my Infiniti to the city. Now the country, that is another thing, altogether.

[99QX4]

I don't live in the city, I live on Long Island, which in my area is nothing like NYC. The imperfections on my car are from college and people not caring about others vehicles or not knowing how to drive. I would never take an Infiniti to the city either, you have to be crazy. However when i occasionaly go to the city (on the train) i do see infiniti's and mercedes and cars like that, and they look terrible! You have to be a real brave driver to drive in the city, people drive like manaics, especailly the cab drivers!

[AZhitman]

Paint it!

A good shop can match it no problem - Hell, if they could match my 7-year-old, 3-stage, Ivory Pearl Quartz, they can match yours.

It'll look cool in the body color.

[99QX4]

It's my father's shop, and they do really good work. I'm not just saying that because it's my dad's shop, but there are a couple of shops around in the area that are real butchers! But every person that had work done at my dad's shop recomends him. Hopefully i will get it done soon, and hopefully before school starts. I'll post pics of it when it's done, and tell me how you guys like it! And thanks for all your input, you helped out a lot!

[AZhitman]

99, did you ever send us a pic of you with your QX for our calendar?

[99QX4]

No, unfortunately i didn't. I would have sent u a pic of just my car, i really don't like being in the pictures. But i don't think you guys wanted a pic of just my car.:rolleyes

[AZhitman]

Not even if we said please?

Remember, it's not a glamour pic calendar - We just want to showcase all the kick-arse gals that hang out on NICO - Kind of an appreciation thing!

[99QX4]

Yea but i thought that you did all that stuff already?

[AZhitman]

You get the pic in, and I'll personally make sure it gets in there.

You can tell you're NOT getting off the hook on this, huh?

[99QX4]

Sorry it took me a couple of days to answer, but the power went out and i've had a crazy weekend. But if you really want me to sent me a picture to you it's either gonna just be my car, or me with someone. I'm tellin' ya, i really don't like pictures and i don't like them even more when i'm alone in them. :pface

[AZhitman]

OK - How about a compromise:

You, the QX4, and any other person you want. Or your cat. Or your dog.

[99QX4]

Any person...Great!!! I will take the picture with me, my car and my fiancé today. It's nice out, the perfect day for a picture!:D

[AZhitman]

*PHEW!*

That's the most work I've ever had to do for a NICO calendar pic!

Thanks 99!

[99QX4]

NICE!! No problem AZ! I am so excited now, and i am glad you liked the idea! When is the latest i can get the pic in by? I wanna know if i have to take it with a digital?

[AZhitman]

It's your call - The sooner the better.

email to [email protected] and I'll make sure it gets in.

[99QX4]

Nice, alright. I'll see if i can get the digital, if not i will use up the film in my camera quickly. And also, i'm just wondering, where will this picture go in the calendar, i get a month right?

[99QX4]

Okay, i'm hoping because i didn't get an answer that it doesn't mean that i don't get a good spot. But where else would it go?

[AZhitman]

DOH! Sorry 99.

You'll get your own month, it'll just be one that hasn't been filled...

Smile - Click - Send!!!

[99QX4]

Oh great.:rolleyes What month am i gonna get? I kinda wanted July because it's my b-day month, but i am pretty sure somebody else wanted that month too.

[99QX4]

Hmmm, just thought of something. AZ, how would you know if it is me in the picture anyway? He he...