DIY- Painting front lip progress!

shika805

Hey y'all, just wanted to share some of my experiences with some DIY stuff I've been doing with my z. I've gotten a lot of tips from other members here and just wanted to show the progress I've been making with my Carbon Signal Front lip.

I scored a Carbon Signal Front Lip from another member here and decided to tackle on painting and minor filler work myself. Now for the body filler I decided to go with regular bondo which I had laying around from another project. Used it to fill some gaps after fitment and small imperfections with the lip. Starting with with 80grit sandpaper to cut down and shape the bondo, moving all the way to 400grit to feather out the edges giving it a seamless smooth surface.

The paint was a large issue with me. Having a 40th Z, paint match can be a b****. I started to do some research and found automotivetouchup.com. My buddy had used their products in the past with some good results. I spoke to other members here that had a 40th Z and they seemed to be torn down the middle. I decided to give them a shot and take my chances.

Started of with prep solvent, stripping it from grease and any oils. Then moved to the primer (3 coats) followed by wet sanding with 600grit to smooth out primer, Base coat (3 coats) and then finally the 2k Clear Coat (3 coats, very hazardous! respirator mask needed!)

The end result was great! Paint match I would give it an 8/10, better than the best auto body shop here in Santa Barbara that worked on my fenders. In the light, I can tell it's slightly darker but only noticeable very close. I am very please with the results I got from tackling this project. Now the cost total with paint, safety gear and other miscellaneous stuff, it ran me around 120 total. Time total with the project, I say 6 hours minus dry times of course.

Next is Wet sanding and polish, debating if I should do this or not. My concern is because it's a front lip? The majority of the orange peel is on the bottom side of the lip where it won't be seen. Will keep you guys updated!

Now with the photos! enjoy!


First coat of primer


first coat of base color


After 2k Clear


Color match

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kenchan

looks good. did you use anything to polish the clear at the end?

shika805

Used Meguires cutting compound then wax. That was it. Turned out great.

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God-Speed

Nice Job!!! Can't wait to see it on the car!!!

makstraw

Good writeup. did you just finish the paint/ clear? Just from experience Id say give it 2 weeks and the orange peel will get worse. a "cut and buff" or wet sanding and buffing is always needed. The best way to tell if the clear is dry is when you start sanding. If you smell clear when sanding, its still not fully cured.

kenchan

but woah, you should let the paint breath for a few weeks before wax.

kenchan

you can use 70% IPA (rubbing alcohol) to wipe off the wax. easy

shika805

Good to know. I will let it cure for a little. Before wet sanding and polish again.

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makstraw

Sounds like your right on track

Btw, sweet 240z, love those things, my brother out in Cali is doing a fully resto and build on one right now

shika805

thanks brotha. put a lot of blood sweat and tears into that girl!

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shika805

update! lip is now installed! took off the wax, and I'm gonna wait a couple weeks to re-polish the top of the lip. paint match is on point and looks great on the 40thZ!

enjoy the pics!

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kenchan

nice job! looking good.

God-Speed

shika805

Thank good sirs, all that extra cash I saved, goes to the beer fund haha

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TheGreatOne

Looks great, told you the Automotivetouchup was the way to go

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2017 SUBARU STI
2008 E60 M5 - SOLD
2010 40th Anniversary 370Z - SOLD (and missing her)