Chips down to the bare metal!!!

vipor · 03-08-2010, 12:24 PM

Some info from their site that pertains to me:

Are Tri-Coat colors available? (...think white pearl Lexus)

Sort of. As we hand-mix each order individually, we've gotten very good at approximating the various pearls on the market. Tri-coat colored vehicles are painted in three stages at the factory; a base color is sprayed, then a mid-coat which gives the 'pearl' effect, then a clear coat to bring the two colors together visually. Our paints are made for single-stage application. The paint may not look like a very good match in the bottle, but once applied and the excess has been blended away, the result is generally impressive, and certainly better than leaving the dark chips that will eventually rust. We recommend using this for typical stone chip damage. The larger the repair, scratches included, the less impressive the result will be. See this page (Dr. ColorChip paint chip repair photo on white pearl cars) for a white pearl repair.

Some companies sell a 3-step paint kit with two colors and a clearcoat. This will not look good on your car, and you will regret using it (...think shiny blobs all over the hood, each catching your eye). After painting thousands of pearl vehicles on a commercial level with our system, we can say with confidence that our paint kit will provide a much better tri-coat / pearl chip repair than any 3-step paint kit on the market. It's not perfect, but it's still the best alternative to the body shop.

kannibul · 03-08-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormcrow

Spectacular information, guys. I almost figured as much as I have seen others complaining of Honda and Subaru paint issues. I think the issue with the GT-R was they tried a "self-healing" paint. It's possible that this is what they used on the Z, as well. Either way, I do know local body shops can put down stronger paint than OEM stuff and will have to take this route someday.

Nope, do some reading. Nissan hasn't used self-healing paint on vehicles under their brand...but Infiniti has some.

Euro destined Nissan's may be a different deal - but in the USA...nope.

stormcrow · 03-08-2010, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vipor

It's not on any Nissan, but it was used on some Infiniti's for a short time. I believe it was more the clear coat healing under direct sun and heat, not the paint.

It is certainly on the GT-R. But, you are correct, it is the clear, but Nissan terms it a self-healing "paint". Don't rightly know why.

Heat guns and sun are supposed to work. But, in truth, this type of clear is so soft that it scratches from usage of microfiber rags. Ugh.

stormcrow · 03-08-2010, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

Nope, do some reading. Nissan hasn't used self-healing paint on vehicles under their brand...but Infiniti has some.

Euro destined Nissan's may be a different deal - but in the USA...nope.

Don't need to read when you had the car. *lol* I didn't believe it, at first either, until multiple high-end body shops agreed with the Nissan rep who first told me. My red GT-R scratched so easily that I contemplated a whole repaint. I was told by the high-end shops quoting me said repaint that it was the self-healing clear that was causing my scratching issue and that repainting would fix the issue, but was most likely a waste of money until more paint damage was noticable. From what I understand, Nissan is discontinuing its usage on the MY11 cars.

vipor · 03-08-2010, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormcrow

It is certainly on the GT-R. But, you are correct, it is the clear, but Nissan terms it a self-healing "paint". Don't rightly know why.

Heat guns and sun are supposed to work. But, in truth, this type of clear is so soft that it scratches from usage of microfiber rags. Ugh.

Yeah I screwed up by saying "any Nissan"

It is on the GTR, but it's in it's own class.

stormcrow · 03-08-2010, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vipor

Yeah I screwed up by saying "any Nissan"

It is on the GTR, but it's in it's own class.

Supposedly this stuff was put on MY05+ cars in Japan and elsewhere. Can't say for certain that it was here in the US during these times. Also, I heard somewhere that Nissan is putting this paint on mobile phones? *haha*

vipor · 03-08-2010, 01:22 PM

Because it was copied from a website....

lovethe370z · 03-08-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stormcrow

It sucks to see this. I feel your pain, though. I, too, have quite a few chips down to the metal and plastic on my front bumper and fenders. Some happened driving home from the dealership, no less. What is worse, it was the very same way with my GT-R. Nissan's paint is atrocious - and seemingly has been for a couple of years now.

I would say fight the good fight, but others with GT-Rs have been given the finger by Nissan over paint issues. Even those that are absolute factory defects. I doubt they will change their tune for us lowly Z guys. Your best bet is to paint peices on your own some day and be done with it. Sad, I know.

No kidding. Sorry to hear that everyone else is having this problem, too. Doesn't sound good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vipor

I've got 2 on the RH fender behind the headlight, 1 on the LH, a couple on some fender wells, and a few tiny ones on the hood. That doesn't even count all the "pits" in my bumper that are less noticeable (white on white). It sucks... but it seems to be the norm for these cars. Averaging ~50miles/day does that to a car, especially with our roads here in DFW.

I'll just get a repaint down the line and make sure to clear bra it immediately afterwards.

I'm averaging about 30 miles a day. The rednecks are always throwing $h!t off of their "muddin tars". It is pissing me off.

I only have about 2k miles on the car. What do you guys think about using Dr. Colorchip to hide the chips, then putting 3M Clearbra over it? I got a quote for $1k.

vipor · 03-08-2010, 01:29 PM

There are MANY Clear Bra/Speed Shield threads on here. Get your search on and make sure you have a lot of free time.

The one thing I would recommend to all new buyers is to get one ASAP.

lovethe370z · 03-08-2010, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vipor

Because it was copied from a website....

how the heck i missed the first line in your post, IDK

lovethe370z · 03-08-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vipor

There are MANY Clear Bra/Speed Shield threads on here. Get your search on and make sure you have a lot of free time.

The one thing I would recommend to all new buyers is to get one ASAP.

What do you think about using Dr. Colorchip to hide the chips I've already acquired, then putting 3M Clearbra over it? I recieved a quote for ~$1k. It is a bikini cut hood, fender, and mirror kit, and they have also thrown in the rocker panels and head lamps.

vipor · 03-08-2010, 01:33 PM

Go for it. As long as you don't have too many that sounds like a good idea. I've already got way too many pits in my bumper to do that. I'll be getting a respray down the line before I Speed Shield it.

NYBladeZ · 03-08-2010, 01:35 PM

I was real crazy about it until I got my first chip. Nissan paint sucks but ehh I'm not going to stress over every little chip, but with that said I don't have any Nissan paint on the front end at all.

lovethe370z · 03-08-2010, 01:38 PM

Thanks for your responses everyone.

It is a beautiful day in the northeast. Let's enjoy it

zmyride · 03-08-2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HTP AutoWorks

This isnt just a Nissan issue. It is across the board these days. All auto manufacturers have to follow the EPA rules and regulations. The EPA has enacted several new laws requiring auto manufacturers to stop using certian chemicals and hardeners during the painting process. They are also forcing everyone to go with water based paints that are VERY soft. I go through about 12 different forums, most of them different types of cars, and everyone from Ferrari to Honda complains about their paint being soft. The best option you have is to get a clear bra installed when you first get it and then it wont be an issue.

I completely agree. I talked to Porsche owners and they complain the same thing about the paint.

Years ago, all car manufacturers used lead in the paint. That's why paint in the old days was as hard as enamel. In recent years, the EPA requires lead to be removed from all auto paint so now you have a very thin layer of paint on your car.

03-08-2010, 12:24 PM	#16 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 41 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 48	Some info from their site that pertains to me: Are Tri-Coat colors available? (...think white pearl Lexus) Sort of. As we hand-mix each order individually, we've gotten very good at approximating the various pearls on the market. Tri-coat colored vehicles are painted in three stages at the factory; a base color is sprayed, then a mid-coat which gives the 'pearl' effect, then a clear coat to bring the two colors together visually. Our paints are made for single-stage application. The paint may not look like a very good match in the bottle, but once applied and the excess has been blended away, the result is generally impressive, and certainly better than leaving the dark chips that will eventually rust. We recommend using this for typical stone chip damage. The larger the repair, scratches included, the less impressive the result will be. See this page (Dr. ColorChip paint chip repair photo on white pearl cars) for a white pearl repair. Some companies sell a 3-step paint kit with two colors and a clearcoat. This will not look good on your car, and you will regret using it (...think shiny blobs all over the hood, each catching your eye). After painting thousands of pearl vehicles on a commercial level with our system, we can say with confidence that our paint kit will provide a much better tri-coat / pearl chip repair than any 3-step paint kit on the market. It's not perfect, but it's still the best alternative to the body shop. __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

03-08-2010, 01:22 PM	#22 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 41 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 48	Because it was copied from a website.... __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

03-08-2010, 01:29 PM	#24 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 41 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 48	There are MANY Clear Bra/Speed Shield threads on here. Get your search on and make sure you have a lot of free time. The one thing I would recommend to all new buyers is to get one ASAP. __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

03-08-2010, 01:33 PM	#27 (permalink)
vipor A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Euless, TX [ DFW ] Age: 41 Posts: 13,531 Drives: Nismo 09-0183 QAB Rep Power: 48	Go for it. As long as you don't have too many that sounds like a good idea. I've already got way too many pits in my bumper to do that. I'll be getting a respray down the line before I Speed Shield it. __________________ 2009 NISMO # 0193 \| QAB \| Albums! \| 05.04.10 (Dynojet) 291.94hp/248.28tq Oil Cooler (DIY) \| Custom Headlights \| GTSPEC Braces \| F.I. Long Tube Headers

03-08-2010, 01:35 PM	#28 (permalink)
NYBladeZ A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New York Posts: 2,158 Drives: Lotus Exige S Rep Power: 20	I was real crazy about it until I got my first chip. Nissan paint sucks but ehh I'm not going to stress over every little chip, but with that said I don't have any Nissan paint on the front end at all. __________________ 2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold 2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

03-08-2010, 01:38 PM	#29 (permalink)
lovethe370z Base Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MARYLAND Posts: 182 Drives: 2010 370z Coupe Rep Power: 15	Thanks for your responses everyone. It is a beautiful day in the northeast. Let's enjoy it __________________ 2010 370z Coupe Touring, Sport, Nav 6MT Red/Black

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