Z32 MintZ32's OEM+ Resto Journal

Discussion in 'Member's Garage' started by MintZ32, Sep 17, 2020.

  1. MintZ32

    MintZ32 Active Member

    Well its been about 5 weeks since I've had the Zed at home because of this happening :):

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    The idea was to take the whole car back to bare metal glass out, but with some discussion with the paint shop who thought it was probably overkill that later got changed to bare metal only where required. One of the places they advised was the bonnet, so yeah. thats what a Z32 Aluminium bonnet looks like when taken back to bare metal :p.

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    Stone guard was stripped off all sides and will be going back on to keep the factory theme. Only have one pic of this in progress though.

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    In primer

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    In Colour - Staying with my favourite Zed colour AG2 Aztec Red :D (yep probably super common but I still love it) and having it cleared to ensure longevity.

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    Keen eyes may notice that the new Central20 exhaust is fitted up as well that I had sent over from UpGarage :cool:

    It should be ready next week. Which in paint shop time probably means 2 weeks :p
     
    ivan129, lemmiwinks, Harts and 2 others like this.
  2. lidz

    lidz Well-Known Member

    Very nice, can't go wrong with AG2!
     
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  3. Harts

    Harts Active Member

    Super cool, minty as :cool:
     
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  4. Harts

    Harts Active Member

    I can't stop looking at those photos, this is going to look really nice very shortly! When do you expect to get her back? Fresh, clean paintwork and trim adds so much to these cars.

    I like that you reinstated the stoneguard.

    It looks magical mate, nice work :)
     
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  5. MintZ32

    MintZ32 Active Member

    Thanks mate! Glad you like what it's coming out like :D

    Yep, I'm reinstating the stone guard as I really want to keep the period features of the car. Afterall, that's how Nissan intended them to roll off the production line. They stripped the stone guard back to bare metal, primed it and then applied new stone guard.

    I have really had to project manage the spray shop though as for some of the work they appear to want to take some of the quoted work as a suggestion rather than a requirement to the scope of works which has somewhat soured the experience a little. I haven't had to follow up on things with other respray businesses I've worked with in the past like this one so daily visits have become the norm to a certain extent. Time has been another thing I've struggled with as the car was supposed to be ready by the end of last week. But now as of today that is now going to be sometime next week, the rear bar hasn't even been touched yet, so who knows!? :rolleyes:

    Honestly the main this is that the end result lives up to the standard I'm hoping for so if that means a another week of work for hopefully the last time the body ever needs to be touched I'm happy to wait :)
     
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  6. Harts

    Harts Active Member

    Yes, you can't rush people too much, lest they shut down. Week here, week there... that isn't too bad.

    It will be worth it, looking very good.
     
  7. MintZ32

    MintZ32 Active Member

    A few more photos from today:

    Stone guard will be stripped and re-applied to the front and rear bar tomorrow.

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    Re-assembly has started on the car:

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    Thats about all for today ;)
     
  8. lemmiwinks

    lemmiwinks Member

    Faark that looks amazing.
     
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  9. Harts

    Harts Active Member

    It is schmick
     
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  10. MintZ32

    MintZ32 Active Member

    Thanks Gents! Looking forward to getting it back. The shop tells me probably tomorrow. So here's hoping :D
     
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  11. MintZ32

    MintZ32 Active Member

    And she's back.

    Only a few images today because rain was still hanging around when I got her home.

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    Overall the paint looks great!

    The only issue is that unfortunately the bitter sweet experience continues with the paint shop. They cracked my immaculate third rear brake light and are denying fault. I on the other hand dont have any high resolution images to prove it was uncracked before the car was dropped off...
     
  12. lidz

    lidz Well-Known Member

    That looks bloody fantastic, congrats! Are you putting the pin stripe back on or going without?

    Sucks about the third brake light, I'd be getting onto Rob or Nissan to sort a replacement, regardless of who's at fault a new one will finish your zed off beautifully.
     
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  13. MintZ32

    MintZ32 Active Member

    Thanks @lidz mate ;)

    Yes pinstripe going back on just waiting for the paint to de-gas / solvents to finish curing as the could be a reaction between the vinyl over the top of new paint. After that it'll also be off for a full paint correction / detail including underbody and a coat of Modesta BC-05 to protect the new paint.

    One thing though, I need to jump onto the engine bay now because it obviously wasn't painted and it looks bloody shocking against the rest of the car lol :eek::D
     
    Harts likes this.
  14. lidz

    lidz Well-Known Member

    Haha that's always the problem with any project, you get one area looking great & then have to tackle everything else to lift them to the same level!
    Congrats again, sounds like a bit of drama in the process but has come up fantastic!
     
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  15. Harts

    Harts Active Member

    Very nice, looking as a Z32 should. What's the next stage?
     
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  16. MintZ32

    MintZ32 Active Member

    Plenty to do still mate! Maybe plenum pull and tidy up a few things, wouldn't mind fitting a catch can just to keep any oil film out of the intake. Need to change a bearing on the AC compressor. A few annoying oil leaks to tend to.

    Then there's the wheels I need to restore and re-barell, interior tidy up stuff too...the list will continue to grow :D
     
    Harts likes this.
  17. Harts

    Harts Active Member

    I know, it doesn't end hahaha! I was hoping that you would say the wheels though!

    Keep the photos coming through mate, it's looking really good.
     
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  18. ivan129

    ivan129 Active Member

    Nice looking Zed.
     
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  19. MintZ32

    MintZ32 Active Member

    Thanks @ivan129 :D

    Don't worry will get more photos when I can @Harts. I believe if you ever finish a project car you bought the wrong car to start with :p

    I must ask though, you have a wiring specialties harness, and it seems like a great opportunity to me to possibly replace my entire harness when I do the plenum pull. Do you know if you had to pull the dash to get the old harness out?
     
    Harts likes this.
  20. ivan129

    ivan129 Active Member

    To replace an engine loom you will need access to the passenger side floor panel. I usually removed the glove box and passenger side seat to work comfortably in there. I ripped my entire loom out as I use a Wolf V550 with tiptronic controller for auto . Engine is an 8 with A430 behind it.
     
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