CoastGuardZ

Rick, correct me if I'm wrong... but I did not see anything there for patching holes in metal. Only for holes in plastic or "glueing" two metal panels together. Nate

Will, you understood me perfectly. I need a temp. repair that will prevent further damage/corrosion, yet not interfere later on when a "real" bodyman cuts out and replaces the dog leg (or any other of the small spots on the car just like it). You provide a compelling argument and all the materials are locally procureable. What about spraying paint or rustoleum in there after the ospho? Anyone have a source of supply on those sanding discs? The best I have found was about $50-60 for a box of 50. Now I just have to knock out some of these around the house / honey-do items so I can get back to the Z! :tapemouth Nate

I concur. 100% in fact. On the other hand I am not yet prepared to do a full resto on the car. I'm looking for the best temporary fix until I am at that point, which it sounds like the Power Mesh may be the answer. So if I understand you correctly, I should be able to access a panel with "holes" in it by ripping out the interior? Please bare with me, my painting experience is limited to brushes, rollers and rattle cans. What's a syphon nozzle, and where to get it? I have to drive like an hour to get to Harbor Freight. I have a Wal-Mart (not even a Super WM) and a few small hardware stores nearby and a Lowes about a half hour away... and these times are w/o traffic because we have none! Will the POR render the syphon nozzle garbage afterwards or will it be cleanable? Just curious since POR is suppsed to be so hardcore? Your input is worth it's weight in gold. :nervous: Thanks E. Nate

Alright folks here is an update... I have since purchased the mini angle die grinder, sander and the DA. I also picked the tool box, which I must say is quite impressive, especially for the money. I just came in from the garage and getting to play with one of the new toys... and yes E, you were right. I will need a bigger compressor, but for these small spot repairs the one I have now should work just fine. I can see that this compressor will not allow me to do a whole panel or more at my own pace. I need to purchase a whole bunch o' sanding discs... any good sources of supply? Here's what I'm dealing with... I got holes! This SUCKS! Anyone suggest a good plan of attack that is just short of cutting and welding? Nate

"Unsafe at any speed!!!" ... "Who killed the Electric Car!!!" I'm with you... the ratio seems too diluted to do anything on top of the fact there are already cleaner in fuel to begin with. I am interested in anyones actual personal experience, although I still doubt you'll see me dumping in a bottle of Nail Polish Remover while filling up! Hmmmm, maybe it's a ploy to sell more acetone. Does Shell / Exxon own any stock in the Acetone industry? Maybe BP owns Revlon or Maybeline?

Ummm, yeah. That's what I'm talking about :stupid: . Thanks Carl. And I've got an F54 L28 on a stand in the garage :stupid: Nate :nervous:

Just to calrify... You are saying that the number on the engine block does not match the Engine Number on the ID plate on the strut tower? As far as whether you can tell vintage... I'm not sure how far it can be narrowed down. Does the number on the engine start with L28 or F54? This will narrow it down to a Z (L28) or ZX (F54) block... someone correct me if I'm wrong. Nate

My thoughts exactly! The oil question will typically get as many different opinons as post replies... but in the case my take is identical to Chris's. Nate

Hey, Looks great... just saw your post on the dash redo too... I'm just about ready to rip mine out and give it a shot. Ha! I had to go back through the photos, but I found the cup! Nate

E- Any recommendations on what to look for in a compressor? Being in the military and moving every 2 to 4 years I need something portable yet capable... I might be able to swing it for Christmas...

Hey E- Negative... I meant what I typed... but this is coming from an extreme amature in the air tool world, my thing is multi million dollar radars and transmitters ... "I'm with the government and I'm here to help" The compressor I have is rated at 4.9 SCFM @ 40 psi / 3.5 @ 90. http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Compressors+%26+Air+Tools&pid=00916644000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Air+Compressors+%26+Inflators&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes Which is apparently the lowest model that Sears "recommends" for die grinders and what not. They have some silly star rating and this one is a 4, It seems like I need a 6 or better to do this "right". I don't want to complain too much about it though, as it was a gift (read: $$free). The tool box situation is UNSAT. I've got more tools than storage, stuff strewn about and no good way to organize... which makes for a cluttered inefficent work space and that's how tools get lost. The wife sees this so I get the blessing for the box... on the other hand she sees a nearly new compressor that ran two nail guns just fine last spring when we re-roofed our house. Couple that with a new baby and driveway that needs to be re-paved, which I'm forgoing the widening of to get these air tools, more Z parts and her new vacuum, and she's not real keen to hand over the check book. Not a bad thing though, one of us has to make sure we save enough for junior's college fund :nervous: She'll come around when she has to listen to the compressor running non-stop and me cussing up storm about lack of air. :tapemouth Thanks again, Nate (I'm looking at compressors on-line right now :rambo:

Awesome info guys! I appreciate all the input and advice from all! E- I'm a knowledge junkie, so I always look forward to your posts. Thanks for yet another well delivered "article". I'm planning a trip to Harbor Freight tomorrow, they have a 40" 13 drawer roll around tool box to replace my overstuffed dinky mickey mouse bottom box I have now. Anyone have any input on this box? http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=90320 I'm planning on picking up the air grinder that Ed mentioned (thanks bro)... http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93157 and most likely the two that E mentioned as well... 5" HIGH SPEED AIR SANDER WITH JACOBS® CHUCK (Item 97187) and 6'' DUAL ACTION AIR SANDER (Item 90288) As far as how much rust I have there, we're all just guessing until I have the right tools to determine the damage, otherwise I'll be scrapping at it with a pocket knife and screwdrivers I'll probably pick up the syphon gun that Gary mentioned, too. Although I'll have to hold off on an Air Compressor upgrade for now or the Wife will take back the check book Any recomendations on what type attachments/accessories to get and how many of each type would be a good starting point? Nate

Cool Will, I'll keep an eye out for your post... Thanks Bruce, I'll check that out right now.

Yup, that was the real deal. We saw a bunch of cars but those were just a few of the cars that stopped for fuel when we did. It was pretty darn cool though!

Good info, Will. I suspected as much. I may try the other product since it is supposed to be a spray on. I'm not looking to replace any sheetmetal just yet, but like you said "stabalize" it for now. I pulled the cowl last year for a look-see and the underside was in good shape, so I intend to POR or similar this time. As far as tools and chemicals go, any suggestions Will? Thanks- Nate

I am getting ready to repair a few (rust?) bubbles in the paint. The affected areas are the doglegs and a small spot on the cowl, pictures are attached. I have next to nothing that I need for this and therefore need to get a shopping list together and y'alls help would be greatly appreciated. I do have an air compressor. A small stand up Craftsman model. 3hp @ 90psi / 1.5hp @ 150psi w/15 gal tank. I was thinking of buying an angle grinder but feel this may be overkill for the job. Should I just get a DA? If I do get a grinder will a 4.5" 10 amp 11000 rpm DeWalt grow with me through the rest of the restore in the years to come or do I need to shop for a 7" ? or both? What attachments would I need for this job? If a DA suits this job better, what should I look for? What attachments would I need? Best brands to buy? POR15 seems to be the most popular way to go and I've seen reference to Zero Rust (?) lately. This may not be a permanent fix as I plan to have the paint and body professionally done in 5 years or so. Will POR cause any issues for a shop later on? Should I buy the "starter" kit or piece my own together? Best place to buy? What other cleaners/strippers/etchers/primers will I need? I intended to rattle can these "repairs". Last year I bought a touch up tube of Atomic Orange (A16), a color available on '03 Xterras, to fill in a few chips and the match is uncanny to the Maaco like paint job that is on the car now. Nissan does not sell rattle cans of thier paints, does anyone know if there are paint shops that can make rattle cans? I haven't checked Dupli-color yet, they may have it available. Please fill in any areas I've left out. Thanks in advance, I look forward to your responses! Nate

Here's some photos my buddy snapped at a service station on I-90 when we saw the Bull Run cars... the last one is Ed's ride (sweet!)... He could win it. Come on buddy, enter the Z!!! I'll be your navigator!

Negative. The Scion TC was eliminated at the end of day 1... The 240sx went out the end of day 2 due to engine failure. They killed their RB26 with low oil pressure. The F150 is a joke and an insult to the comptetion... the wife and I are hoping the Trans Am wins (although her second fav team is the Lotus... she likes the fellas mohawk). We also joked about putting the Z, with about $12k I think I could build mine into a winner minus a pretty paint job. Last year Ed and I saw a bunch of "real" Bull Run cars on our way back from the NorthEast Z adventure in Syracuse. Mostly expensive exotics (ie: many Lambos and AMG MB's). I too have been curious about the flourescent bulb busting. They are charged with Mercury Vapor and Argon or Neon. Heck, even some landfills won't take them. Nate

I'm not sure that anything on that car is worth saving. I can't even imagine what one could get themselves in to trying to "save" it. What a shame...

Thanks for the treat Kats! Loved it! I had to look twice at the picture taken at the gas station... It looked quite American... an HLS30 and a Harley (?) with extended forks. The S20 sounds beautiful Nate

I think they would look right at home on a 280zx, but I'm not sure about an S30 though.

Well Bruce... I don't know how I missed this one the first time around but, Dude! That looks awesome!!! I'm not really interested in a cap myself, so this looks like the perfect alternative until I decide to have the dash redone. Please keep us informed on this Summers evil doings. Thanks. Nate

So the metal looks pretty darn good and that is a big plus. If time wasn't as big of a deal I would personally straighten out as much as possible and then do what fellow club member ED did... Weld some strengthening steel on top of them... He did a very nice job with his. Just like Arne mentioned, mine shows similar damage too (ala "Tire Monkeys").

Mike, when I talked to them last week the only ones in stock were the silver (non-chrome) as seen here... http://www.panasport.com/colors.html I believe the "chrome" ones that are being refered too are the Titanium. Nate