Almost at my breaking point
 

I'm getting very close to just selling my 370. I love everything about the car, but the paint issue is just driving me crazy. I did a full detail about 2 months ago and it did help minimize some of the scratches, but I can't remove them fully. There are rampant water spots that won't come off, tiny annoying chips, among other things. Everyone told me I was too OCD for a black car and I should have listened. Problem is I don't know if things would be betteror worse with a different color. As Ive heard paint issue stories for all colors. What really put me over the top was when I was wiping a spot on the trunk with a brand new microfiber towel and it put several scratches in the paint that I can't buff out!

Sorry to vent guys and it breaks my heart to do it, but I think I might have to get rid of her.

have the car repainted with the stock paint color but at a good painter for a decent price and it be all good.

If you like everything about the car except the paint, get it resprayed to a nice new colour of your choosing... a custom one would be good, and get the car fully wrapped in that clear bra stuff...

I suggest metallic paints for you, ahah. you rarely notice the scratches and chips

I hear ya, I had a 2006 G35 a few years ago that had horrible swirls but what I have found is that you have to be incredibly careful with black cars that aren't a BMW, Mercedes, etc...(I know there are exceptions). My Range Rover is black and has held up like a champ, but I know I have to treat the Nissan with a lot more care to keep it looking good.

I'm pretty OCD about that stuff as well, but if you love the car you shouldn't let something like that keep you down. Trade it for a white one if you don't want to worry about the paint. The car I traded for the Z ('08 Altima) was white and I took it through regular carwashes all the time and it looked the same 2 years later as the day I bought it.

If you're so ocd why didn't you get silver? You need someone like this guy to detail your black z. This is before any waxing, takes him a couple of days to detail the car. http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ladsgtr/49.jpghttp://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ladsgtr/51.jpghttp://i300.photobucket.com/albums/n...ladsgtr/52.jpg

Find a reputable paint or repair shop and get it painted the color of your choice. If you want and have(or save up)the money, get multi layers of paint and clear coat.

If you want to stop the scratches and chipping then put about 5 coats of paint and 3 to 5 coats of clear coat on it.

For the people saying get it repainted...it would be cheaper for him to just get a new car in a different color.

Good point jobs are a lootttt of money.

Buy a porter cable buffer and some supplies. Do the detailing on your own. The cost of one full detail is the price of a whole detailing kit including the buffer and you'll have enough supplies for many detailings. You'll enjoy doing it because the end result is amazing.

Do the same color just find a good painter and its not near what a paint job would be if he changed the color.

+1

also go to a paint shop for your chemicals. They have items not carried by auto parts store. In most cases they are very knowledgeable about detailing.

I painted 2 cars in my garage with their guidance.

Btw investigate the respray recommendation. A good respray of same color may be a little bit.

Be warned though. A good paint job can cost a lot.

how much does it cost?

A good paint job will consist of:

taking the mirrors/glasses off.
Taking down lights
door handles
rubber moldings
side mirrors

basically very minimal (or no) taping around parts. For reference, at least in Los Angeles, a paint job for a Porsche 911 cost between $8,000 and $12,000. At this price, it will have a mirror finish. It will have no 'orange peel' finish.

All cars that I have seen recently straight from the factory all have the orange peel finish. This includes Mercedes, porsches, BMW, etc.