Body & Paint

Discussions about bodywork and painting a Zcar.

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engine bay painted

February 18, 2012 by KAL7467
1 reply

1.8k views
Well today I pulled the motor,tranny ,diff and all the suspension pieces even though I planned on just rattle can painting the engine bay black. Happy to report no rust under the battery or any where else un expected that we hadn't already cut out and fixed. We used seam sealer on a few places like the frame rails and tranny tunnel and painted the whole underside, interior, and engine bay with rust shield black paint and then sprayed the engine with the Datsun light blue metalic and cleared it so we can replace the engine other pieces and roll it to the actual paint booth. I am really glad we gutted the whole thing because I was able to get everything protected with phos…

Last reply by SteveJ, February 18, 2012
Looking for G-Nose

February 16, 2012 by pcohick
1 reply

1.6k views
Hi: I am looking for the JDM 5 piece G-nose for the 240Z and the metal trimed headlight covers for it. I have seen a 5 piece made by Akirass on the web and think it was a little $1000.00 Thanx Patrick

Last reply by daddz, February 17, 2012
Major Ouchie 1 2 3

April 10, 2011 by tlorber
24 replies

4.4k views
Well, I was just about finished with my Z, but that was last week. On Thursday had an encounter with a rack of mailboxes. When I later settled up with the owner he told me that the support was built out of railroad ties. I hit 2 supports directly with the front end. One thing that never ceases to amaze me about Datsuns is the pounding they can take and still get you home. I've never crashed one but I've driven them pretty hard. So with some dinging (4lb sledge) I was able to get a different radiator back in (whole story behind that acquisition) and drive the car from Paso Robles to LA yesterday. Consequently, I am currently looking for a '73 rolling shell with a g…

Last reply by 5thhorsemann, February 16, 2012
Rear hatch hinges

February 15, 2012 by Richard McDonel
2 replies

1.3k views
I have a '71 240Z that spent the first 40 years of its life in the Arizona desert. Generally a good thing, but in this case when I removed the rear hatch, the rubber spacers/gaskets on the hinges had all the maleable texture of peanut brittle, and of course broke off in bits and pieces. Replacements aren't available at Black Dragon or through the Nissan dealer. I could use new rubber gasket material, but there appears to be more to these pieces than just flat gaskets. The formerly-rubber material formed a cover over the hinges. Was that standard? If I simply use gasket material, will water not get into the roof cavity? Any of your thoughts would be appreciated.

Last reply by 26th-Z, February 15, 2012
Typical Cost of a Repaint 1978 280Z

February 12, 2012 by chatt447
4 replies

5.2k views
Can someone give me an idea of what a good paint job in original color with no rust and only minor dings will run? Needs to be good quality but doesn't have to be collector grade. Thanks in advance for any responses.

Last reply by cozye, February 12, 2012
The hood or the hinge?

February 1, 2012 by Hardway
5 replies

2.3k views
The passenger side front corner of my hood does not got all the way down when I close the hood. I can push down on the corner and it will go down but stay. It leads me to believe the hinge is either worn out or damaged or the hood itself is damaged. However when I look at the hinge I don't see any damage and none of the holes are enlarged or hollowed out. The hood appears to be straight to the naked eye. Is there some sort of adjustment I am possibly missing? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Last reply by BTF/PTM, February 4, 2012
Door Molding Install 1 2

June 6, 2009 by Oiluj
18 replies

7.2k views
Time to re-install the side molding. It's the aluminum channel, rivet-on type with the inset vinyl strip. I almost hate to do it, the car looks better with clean sides. But without it, living and parking in a urban area means more unsightly door dings, so it's required. Question: Has anyone tried just using the 3M mounting tape to attach this type of molding? It would be much better than drilling a bunch of holes in the car. If so, how's it holding up?

Last reply by palladin, February 3, 2012
What color did Datsun paint the front of the radiator support

February 1, 2012 by Zedyone_kenobi
10 replies

7.6k views
You can see the metal through my grill and it is some black due to undercoating overspray, and some 901 silver. What color should that be?

Last reply by CDM, February 2, 2012
MSA Fiberglass bumper install

March 11, 2011 by mark81
2 replies

3.3k views
Has anyone put the fiberglass bumper bar from MSA onto a 73 240z before? If so what are the modifications/fabrications that need to be done to the stock bumper mounts? Does anything need to be added as well? (i.e. plates welded on etc) Thank you.

Last reply by skillinp, January 30, 2012
JCR California z body kit question?

January 29, 2012 by zdogg
0 replies

2.2k views
I have a JCR California z body kit on my 1973, but I do not have the rear bumper for the kit. I require the rear bumper for an out of Province inspection, therefore going bumperless is not an option. Besides I prefer the look with the bumper, it balances the large whale tail IMO. Does anyone know what the bumper was made of or was it a modified 280z bumper? Any help or sugestions would be greatly apreciated

Last reply by zdogg, January 29, 2012
Clay Bar Alternative Supplier 1 2

April 23, 2011 by 240260280z
14 replies

5.3k views
Just used Mothers Clay Bay kit to do my 2003 S2000. Turned out nice. Before using the kit, I washed with a strong dish detergent to remove wax then used the clay bar over the detailing spray (lubricant) that came with the kit. Paint feels smooth and shines. (Now I have to touch up paint chips then wax). BTW if you ever thought clay baring was some sort of special art, it ain't, it is easy as washing your hands with a bar of soap. After doing this I wondered if the expensive Mother's kit was worth the $20 so I Googled. Turns out you can buy clay from most hobby/craft shops (even Walmart craft section) and use a spray bottle with mild liquid soap and water or a detailer sp…

Last reply by CoastGuardZ, January 27, 2012
Are flares like this done by simply bending metal?

January 18, 2012 by BTF/PTM
6 replies

2.7k views
Up until now I've not been a fan of fender flares on a z car, but this look really strikes me for some reason. Is this a custom molded flare, or is this the altered metal body? Call me crazy, but I love it.

Last reply by CoastGuardZ, January 27, 2012