1976 280Z Restoration Project

[wheee!]

Speaking of ordering.... these look super nice! I might 'need' a set just because...

https://technotoytuning.com/nissan/280z/z-rear-lower-control-arm-bolts

[wheee!]

So the plans are something like this:
1) complete stripping the doors, new front fender, new cowl.

2) Prime all the stripped parts in 2k epoxy.

3) repair and prep all inside panels and edges for finish paint. The inside of the fenders will be painted in epoxy primer and then in bed liner to protect them.

4) finish paint the inside edges of the door jambs, scoops, hatches and inside hood. Paint the door inside edges and clearcoat all of it.

5) mount all finished panels with hinges and hardware and align for body finishing.

6) block sand and finish all exterior of car. Prep for paint.

7) 4 coats of water based PPG base colour followed by 4 or 5 coats of PPG urethane clear coat.

This should allow me to spray the whole car as one assembly to avoid any patterns or colour shift.

Thoughts and feedback? Suggestions?

[gwri8]

The guy who painted mine took off the fenders, doors, hatch, and inspection doors.   The glass was already out.  He said it would be easier to get around the edges that way.  I know he didn't miss any spots doing that.

[Patcon]

You have to be a very good painter to paint a metallic disassembled. I thought I would paint my car like this Mark, but since it's a solid color, I plan on painting it in pieces. The hardest challenge when painting all assembled is learning the right way to tape up the edges and gaps for soft edges and not too much overspray inside the gaps

[wheee!]

The guy who painted mine took off the fenders, doors, hatch, and inspection doors.   The glass was already out.  He said it would be easier to get around the edges that way.  I know he didn't miss any spots doing that.

I don’t have a big enough space to paint all of mine unassembled is the main issue. I don’t want to paint on separate days.

[wheee!]

You have to be a very good painter to paint a metallic disassembled. I thought I would paint my car like this Mark, but since it's a solid color, I plan on painting it in pieces. The hardest challenge when painting all assembled is learning the right way to tape up the edges and gaps for soft edges and not too much overspray inside the gaps

I agree. If I do a good job of masking joints for a soft blend then I should be good to spray most of the car assembled.

[Patcon]

17 minutes ago, wheee! said:

 

I don’t have a big enough space to paint all of mine unassembled is the main issue. I don’t want to paint on separate days.

I totally understand. It's easy to stripe a metallic color when you paint it disassembled or have  adjacent panels be different colors. I think it's the right choice to paint it assembled. Watch some you tube videos on taping cars. 3m also make a backer rod type product that is intended for use to help make soft egdes

[wheee!]

I’ve watched a bit of the Eastwood series. Looks do-able.

[wheee!]

Afterthought:

 

2.5) Before finish painting the inside of the panels like doors, fenders and hood, I will mount the panels and ensure gaps are correct and make adjustments with welds etc beforehand.

This way I can ensure gaps are correct before body blocking and sanding.

 

[wheee!]

Bolted the intake and exhaust on to the head, getting ready to finish the heat shield and throttle linkage install.

[Captain Obvious]

So since you're running a throttle cable instead of the design, are you gonna knock off those two bearing towers for the original linkage rod?

[wheee!]

Too late. They’re already powder coated and polished. I’ll find a use for them...