What an exciting title right?

My hood on my G35 is f***ed up and it's because my hinges need replaced. I went to the dealership and they referred me to their collision center. After looking at my car, they gave me an estimate on replacing the two hinges...

FOUR HUNDRED FREAKING DOLLARS.

That price seemed ridiculous, then I took a closer look at the estimate. Over $200 of the estimate was to paint the freaking hinges, you know, the hinges that go under your hood and no one ever sees.

I told them, "f*** the paint, can you just install the hinges?" (In nicer words)

The guy told me, "Well, uhhh, the only way we can guarantee this is if we paint them."

So I told him, "Well, uhhh, I guess I don't need a guarantee then, can you just install the hinges?"

After some grumbling on his part, he came back to me with a quote for $150. I told him to order them and they'll be installed on Monday.

I figured when he told me he couldn't guarantee whatever, it was the only thing he could come up with as to why I should drop $200 for paint for an unseen part. My only concern is whether or not the paint is used to protect against rust, rather than just being purely aesthetic. If so, do I need to have them painted or can I just hit them up with some anti-rust spray after they install them?

 

They have a coating on them, it's a gold annodized finsh.

You could rattlecan them black if you want and honestly, you and a friend could install the hood and align it. It's super easy, it's on with 4 bolts.

I've taken my hood off like 50 times.

Just buy the hinges, they're $60 ( I just bought a set)

 

I had some installed under warranty a few months back and thought it was odd they had to be painted the same color as the body. I thought the guy said they came black, but he may not have known what he was talking about. I probably wouldn't have had them painted if I was paying for it.