Strut / Brace (under the hood) and Painting Thereof

Slynky · 08-27-2010, 12:05 PM

Knowing I never should have assumed I had an idea no one else had...LOL...

I thought about either painting the strut/brace over the engine the same as my body color OR having it chromed. I'm guessing body color would be cheaper but I'd want it to match the body color exactly (which means, I guess, buying at least a quart of paint and having a paint shop use the paint code to paint with).

I guess powdercoating is also an option but not sure how to match the paint NOR how much heat is in the bay (having read about how heat softens the powdercoating).

Any ideas/thoughts, guys?

kenchan · 08-27-2010, 02:55 PM

chrome... eeew...

Slynky · 08-27-2010, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

chrome... eeew...

Well, chrome is a bit "loud" but I can't have it "stainless steeled"

christian370z · 08-27-2010, 03:53 PM

If you want a black chrome like finish, that can be accomplished through powdercoating if you want some bling that doesn't quite jump out at your like standard chrome would.

Slynky · 08-27-2010, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christian370z

If you want a black chrome like finish, that can be accomplished through powdercoating if you want some bling that doesn't quite jump out at your like standard chrome would.

That's a possibility, too. However, having read what Mike said about powdercoating brake calipers and how heat could soften the coating, I worry it might get too hot in there... dunno...

kenchan · 08-27-2010, 04:12 PM

i measured about 180F+ on the stb after a weekend drive on street... 85F outside.

Slynky · 08-27-2010, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

i measured about 180F+ on the stb after a weekend drive on street... 85F outside.

That doesn't seem too hot...

christian370z · 08-27-2010, 07:06 PM

Compared to the baking process of powdercoating itself? The engine bay is like a refrigerator lol. There are higher temp powdercoats available but the standard colors are good up to 400 degrees F before they start softening up (they are plastic, afterall).

Slynky · 08-27-2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christian370z

Compared to the baking process of powdercoating itself? The engine bay is like a refrigerator lol. There are higher temp powdercoats available but the standard colors are good up to 400 degrees F before they start softening up (they are plastic, afterall).

I guess the heat question (on my part) comes from also not knowing how hot calipers get.

I'd really like to have that part match the body color, especially since it attaches to the body on the left and right.

Slynky · 08-27-2010, 08:20 PM

For anyone curious enough to read this and wanting a comparison of chrome and black chrome...

2theextreme · 08-27-2010, 08:38 PM

I went with powdercoating it the same color as the body color.....and glad I did:

And as far as calipers go, I had those painted....yes, painted.....the same color as the body, too. Had it that way since June and so far no problems at all:

Slynky · 08-27-2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2theextreme

I went with powdercoating it the same color as the body color.....and glad I did:

And as far as calipers go, I had those painted....yes, painted.....the same color as the body, too. Had it that way since June and so far no problems at all:

Yeah, looking under your hood in the "under your hood" thread made me realize (as I pointed out in the first post) that my idea wasn't unique at all. And yours is one of the reasons I prefer body color match.

2theextreme · 08-27-2010, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slynky

Yeah, looking under your hood in the "under your hood" thread made me realize (as I pointed out in the first post) that my idea wasn't unique at all. And yours is one of the reasons I prefer body color match.

Thanks.....I really think you'll like it if you decide to go body color.....but doing something unique and different is also cool! In the end, the important thing is you like it.

ZPirate · 08-27-2010, 09:02 PM

2theextreme are your Volks flat black or a semi gloss? Either way they look great on your car, especially with the blue calipers.

2theextreme · 08-27-2010, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZPirate

2theextreme are your Volks flat black or a semi gloss? Either way they look great on your car, especially with the blue calipers.

Thanks! They are flat black.

08-27-2010, 12:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Slynky Track Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: McDonough, GA Posts: 595 Drives: 2010 Red 370Z T/S/N Rep Power: 16	Strut / Brace (under the hood) and Painting Thereof Knowing I never should have assumed I had an idea no one else had...LOL... I thought about either painting the strut/brace over the engine the same as my body color OR having it chromed. I'm guessing body color would be cheaper but I'd want it to match the body color exactly (which means, I guess, buying at least a quart of paint and having a paint shop use the paint code to paint with). I guess powdercoating is also an option but not sure how to match the paint NOR how much heat is in the bay (having read about how heat softens the powdercoating). Any ideas/thoughts, guys? __________________ A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life."

08-27-2010, 03:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
christian370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Newport Beach Posts: 3,900 Drives: 2010 370Z/Saab 900se Rep Power: 431	If you want a black chrome like finish, that can be accomplished through powdercoating if you want some bling that doesn't quite jump out at your like standard chrome would. __________________ -320whp / 259wftlbs- SP Rays -- RE-11s -- SpecialtyZ Tune -- Swift Springs -- Stillen 25R Oil Cooler -- Stillen G3 Intakes -- Berk HFCs -- F.I. 12" CBE -- Stillen Sway Bars -- Es14 Spring -- INGS+1 lip -- CF Spoiler -- GTR Start Button -- VLED Parking Lights -- PWJDM V2 shift knob

08-27-2010, 07:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
christian370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Newport Beach Posts: 3,900 Drives: 2010 370Z/Saab 900se Rep Power: 431	Compared to the baking process of powdercoating itself? The engine bay is like a refrigerator lol. There are higher temp powdercoats available but the standard colors are good up to 400 degrees F before they start softening up (they are plastic, afterall). __________________ -320whp / 259wftlbs- SP Rays -- RE-11s -- SpecialtyZ Tune -- Swift Springs -- Stillen 25R Oil Cooler -- Stillen G3 Intakes -- Berk HFCs -- F.I. 12" CBE -- Stillen Sway Bars -- Es14 Spring -- INGS+1 lip -- CF Spoiler -- GTR Start Button -- VLED Parking Lights -- PWJDM V2 shift knob

08-27-2010, 08:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Slynky Track Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: McDonough, GA Posts: 595 Drives: 2010 Red 370Z T/S/N Rep Power: 16	For anyone curious enough to read this and wanting a comparison of chrome and black chrome... __________________ A veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America," for an amount of "up to and including my life."

08-27-2010, 08:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
2theextreme RIP Tony :( (1969-2015) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 18,802 Drives: '14 Mustang GT/CS Rep Power: 67	I went with powdercoating it the same color as the body color.....and glad I did: And as far as calipers go, I had those painted....yes, painted.....the same color as the body, too. Had it that way since June and so far no problems at all: __________________ SpinTech Mufflers, Airaid CAI, JBA H-Pipe, Lethal Performance Over Axle Pipes, MMD Quarter Panel Louvers, Cervini's Ram Air Type IV Hood, Carbon Fiber Radiator Cover, GT500 Rear Valance, Quad Exhaust Tips

08-27-2010, 02:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	chrome... eeew...

08-27-2010, 04:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141520	i measured about 180F+ on the stb after a weekend drive on street... 85F outside.

08-27-2010, 09:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
ZPirate Track Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 792 Drives: 09' 370Z & 03' 350Z Rep Power: 17	2theextreme are your Volks flat black or a semi gloss? Either way they look great on your car, especially with the blue calipers. __________________ 2003 Daytona Blue 350Z Touring/Nismo 2009 Platinum Graphite 370Z Touring/Sport (Sold) 2009 BMW 135i/Dinan Stage 2 software upgrade/M3 suspension piecies/Koni Sports/ETS FMIC/Alufelgen SF-71 wheels

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