Magnetic Black Paint: Is It TOO Soft?

huff442 · 09-14-2009, 07:14 PM

My 370Z is Magnetic Black. Currently i have around 5500 miles on it (my office is 2 miles from my house). I've only taken it on a long drive twice. Once about 400 miles and recently about 1000 miles. Right now, the front of my car has more rock chips in it than my wife's Chevy Trailblazer with 78k miles. I found another big chip on the hood near the windshield this weekend.

I have heard two theory's on why this paint chips so bad. One is the paint just isn't very durable. I haven't looked up the factory paint in any books yet, but it appears to be fairly thin, like a simple single stage paint.

The second is that the base material, mostly aluminum and urethane, doesn't offer enough support to the paint. This allows the paint to flex too much and chip easily.

I make a point to leave myself plenty of room between me and the vehicle in front on me, but somehow i still get these rock chips.

Now, if i had known this 3 months ago would it have affected my buying decision? Probably not. I love the car and love the color. I'm sure in the future it will get repainted (the factory color), but with a more durable two stage paint with several coats of clear.

Bibimbap · 09-14-2009, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huff442

My 370Z is Magnetic Black. Currently i have around 5500 miles on it (my office is 2 miles from my house). I've only taken it on a long drive twice. Once about 400 miles and recently about 1000 miles. Right now, the front of my car has more rock chips in it than my wife's Chevy Trailblazer with 78k miles. I found another big chip on the hood near the windshield this weekend.

I have heard two theory's on why this paint chips so bad. One is the paint just isn't very durable. I haven't looked up the factory paint in any books yet, but it appears to be fairly thin, like a simple single stage paint.

The second is that the base material, mostly aluminum and urethane, doesn't offer enough support to the paint. This allows the paint to flex too much and chip easily.

I make a point to leave myself plenty of room between me and the vehicle in front on me, but somehow i still get these rock chips.

Now, if i had known this 3 months ago would it have affected my buying decision? Probably not. I love the car and love the color. I'm sure in the future it will get repainted (the factory color), but with a more durable two stage paint with several coats of clear.

Do you feel the rock chips could have been managed with a clear bra?

huff442 · 09-14-2009, 07:44 PM

Maybe. I live in a tiny farm town in the middle of a corn field (Iowa). There's not even a tint shop within 60 miles. I have read that some people have had good luck with the durability of the clear bras, but i personally have never seen one. I can't imagine it making things worse. I think if i had known about the paint issues ahead of time, i would have taken my car straight to a good paint shop and had them lay on a few coats of clear.

kannibul · 09-15-2009, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huff442

My 370Z is Magnetic Black. Currently i have around 5500 miles on it (my office is 2 miles from my house). I've only taken it on a long drive twice. Once about 400 miles and recently about 1000 miles. Right now, the front of my car has more rock chips in it than my wife's Chevy Trailblazer with 78k miles. I found another big chip on the hood near the windshield this weekend.

I have heard two theory's on why this paint chips so bad. One is the paint just isn't very durable. I haven't looked up the factory paint in any books yet, but it appears to be fairly thin, like a simple single stage paint.

The second is that the base material, mostly aluminum and urethane, doesn't offer enough support to the paint. This allows the paint to flex too much and chip easily.

I make a point to leave myself plenty of room between me and the vehicle in front on me, but somehow i still get these rock chips.

Now, if i had known this 3 months ago would it have affected my buying decision? Probably not. I love the car and love the color. I'm sure in the future it will get repainted (the factory color), but with a more durable two stage paint with several coats of clear.

I have another theory.

This car is low to the ground and cuts through the air, instead of pushing it's way through it.

Another "tip" - don't tailgate anyone, ever. That's how you end up with spotted bumper syndrome.

And with this car...it's also spotted hood, A-pillars, fenders, and potentially windshield.

I've decided that I'll either have the car repainted in about 10 years, or I'm not going to drive it. Either way. lol...

I've got a nick in my fascia from a rock or something... - new bumper when I get enough of 'em.

NIZMOZ · 09-15-2009, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by huff442

My 370Z is Magnetic Black. Currently i have around 5500 miles on it (my office is 2 miles from my house). I've only taken it on a long drive twice. Once about 400 miles and recently about 1000 miles. Right now, the front of my car has more rock chips in it than my wife's Chevy Trailblazer with 78k miles. I found another big chip on the hood near the windshield this weekend.

I have heard two theory's on why this paint chips so bad. One is the paint just isn't very durable. I haven't looked up the factory paint in any books yet, but it appears to be fairly thin, like a simple single stage paint.

The second is that the base material, mostly aluminum and urethane, doesn't offer enough support to the paint. This allows the paint to flex too much and chip easily.

I make a point to leave myself plenty of room between me and the vehicle in front on me, but somehow i still get these rock chips.

Now, if i had known this 3 months ago would it have affected my buying decision? Probably not. I love the car and love the color. I'm sure in the future it will get repainted (the factory color), but with a more durable two stage paint with several coats of clear.

SUV vs a Sports car you can't compare. SUV is way higher and has no paint on the front exposed that is low to the ground.

Blown32 · 09-15-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NIZMOZ

SUV vs a Sports car you can't compare. SUV is way higher and has no paint on the front exposed that is low to the ground.

As I stated in my post it is a given as far as paint chips in the front of the Z because of being low.Was talking about the paint on the suv compared to the paint on the Z.Much better paint on the Toyota and many other makes compared to the cheap paint on our Z.
We can make all the excuses we want as far as this or that.The paint is junk!

Bibimbap · 09-16-2009, 05:40 PM

So far the only colors they can allocate are Magnetic Black and Brilliant Silver... I like the black a LOT, but I'll feel mortified if I see scratches all over the car. Car cover and clear bra are a must...

If I keep a california car duster with me and just wipe the dust off... will I be happy until I get a chance to wash it the next sunday?

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09-14-2009, 07:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
huff442 Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: NW Arkansas Age: 55 Posts: 309 Drives: 09 370Z 6mt Tour/Spt Rep Power: 18	My 370Z is Magnetic Black. Currently i have around 5500 miles on it (my office is 2 miles from my house). I've only taken it on a long drive twice. Once about 400 miles and recently about 1000 miles. Right now, the front of my car has more rock chips in it than my wife's Chevy Trailblazer with 78k miles. I found another big chip on the hood near the windshield this weekend. I have heard two theory's on why this paint chips so bad. One is the paint just isn't very durable. I haven't looked up the factory paint in any books yet, but it appears to be fairly thin, like a simple single stage paint. The second is that the base material, mostly aluminum and urethane, doesn't offer enough support to the paint. This allows the paint to flex too much and chip easily. I make a point to leave myself plenty of room between me and the vehicle in front on me, but somehow i still get these rock chips. Now, if i had known this 3 months ago would it have affected my buying decision? Probably not. I love the car and love the color. I'm sure in the future it will get repainted (the factory color), but with a more durable two stage paint with several coats of clear.

09-14-2009, 07:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
huff442 Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: NW Arkansas Age: 55 Posts: 309 Drives: 09 370Z 6mt Tour/Spt Rep Power: 18	Maybe. I live in a tiny farm town in the middle of a corn field (Iowa). There's not even a tint shop within 60 miles. I have read that some people have had good luck with the durability of the clear bras, but i personally have never seen one. I can't imagine it making things worse. I think if i had known about the paint issues ahead of time, i would have taken my car straight to a good paint shop and had them lay on a few coats of clear.

09-16-2009, 05:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
Bibimbap Base Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Dania, FL Posts: 148 Drives: 04 S2000 Rep Power: 18	So far the only colors they can allocate are Magnetic Black and Brilliant Silver... I like the black a LOT, but I'll feel mortified if I see scratches all over the car. Car cover and clear bra are a must... If I keep a california car duster with me and just wipe the dust off... will I be happy until I get a chance to wash it the next sunday?