Painting '03 ground effects to match car, like 04+>>
 

Has anyone done this? Is there any reason why it shouldnt be done, etc? I have to get some paint work done and am considering pulling the bumper cover and ground effects, and front fascia and have them painted because I like the newer looks better (all one color). But if there is some reason why this idea is not a good one, I'd like to know. I am assuming someone out there has thought of doing this before and might be able to help identify any Pros/Cons.

Thanks for any input!

Rob

Edit: I believe I meant 05+ in the title.... sorry..

I talked to the paint shop and he said they could, but that he thought I'd have issues with chipping. There are several threads on this from a ways back if you search. There are several alleged problems with doing it. In the end your probably better off getting a painted body kit.

Yeah, I wouldnt want it chipping up. I am assuming the texture of the lower panels is different from our older cars to the newer ones.... causing the potential issue. I definitely dont want to get a body kit, as I really dont care that much (for the looks or the cost).

I dont want to go thru the work and incur the cost if its just going to be more of a headache later on.

Anyone else ever try or question this?

RobBeck you can get your body panels painted you just have to make sure the body shop sands and prime the hell out of them and add flex additives to the paint. You can also buy some oem side sill off of a 2005/06 sedan I just put the stillen side sills on my 05/06 and sold my factory to another member.
Another thing keep an eye out on eBay for front and rear bumpers they have a couple for sale every now and then.

There are many threads on this. Some guys have done it with good success. My body shop said it could chip as well and I ended up with the full nismo kit that comes painted.

perry05G35, what kind of cost did you sell your stuff for? If you dont mind me asking. If they are pulling good coin, and its this much of a hassle... I might just keep rolling with the black bottoms. Really want to keep it cheap, as they are painting a fender and doing some blending anyway... that it might not be too much more $$. Especially if I pulled off the parts myself.

Rob

I plan on doing mine myself on my black 03 sometime in early June. My birthday present to myself is air tools and I will be buying a gravity-fed paint sprayer. I've already got the Nismo bumper, the front is taken care of. Right now I'm debating on painting side a flat black or a semi-gloss black. I don't want gloss black because I don't like the odd waves that long dark painted plastic panels have. The sides will be easy as they unbolt. The rear bumper will be a bit harder because I plan on leaving it on therefore necessitating the need to cover the entire car prior to paint.

Painting plastic isn't necessarily hard, it's just far more time consuming. To do it right, I'll need to do the following:

1) Wash the panel with a prep soap
2) Scuff the panel with a light grit block
3) Clean with Isopropyl alcohol
4) Go over with a tack cloth
5) Spray the panel with an anti-static agent
6) Plastic primer base - 2 coats (one thin, one thick)
7) Base - 3 to 4 coats (2 thin, 2 heavier)
8) Gloss - 3 coats (2 thin, one heavy)
9) potentially wet sand

It looks great and no issues so far...

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3.../DSC01836s.jpg

The stillen sills are 191.00 a piece. I am selling my 05 sills for 200+ shipping.

G35luv,

How long has it been? Do you have more pics (better profile and rear shot)? Did a shop do this for you and if so was it expensive?

I am going to the dealer today to see how much extra it will be, so we will see. I am not totally crazy about spending extra $$s on the car, but if its fairly priced Id probably be down.

DaveB,

Thanks for the info... makes me think they are going to want alot of cash to do this extra plastic stuff...

Rob

nismo nismo nismo...nismo ftmfw!!!

DaveB got the right idea. When I did mine, I prime and let dry over night to sand (400 grid) off the texture. Not necessay as it so low you won't see, but I'm very picky. Didn't use any anti-static. You can use adhesion promoter prior to base coat.
Not hard to do. Keep it clean, as paint won't stick very well to dirty/greasy surface. What's your color?

http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h1...G/102_6739.jpg
Old pic, it was a quickie!

grumpy, that is impressive. I would not have known for a sec that your skirts and rear used to be of that plastic texture.

I wish I could do this myelf but I hear Ivory Pearl is an absolute mutha to match.

Ivory pearl and silver as well hell any color other than black is hard to match.