370Z paint durability

370zlove3

How is the durability of the paint compared to the 350Z? And also, from what I have heard from you guys, the paint of the 370Z is not that good - bird poop would ruin it easily. I have only seen maybe 2 370Z here in real life and both times I could not really get a close inspection of it. Here, I have seen many 350Z (not black) and their coats were in decent condition.

My other question is, why not complain to Nissan about it and so they can upgrade the paint coating for next year? Perhaps maybe use the Infinite's scratch-proof-thank-you-sun coating?

NYBladeZ

It's always hard to get a free fix from a dealer, if Nissan addresses it they won't give current owners anything but address future models. Buyer beware, go over every inch with the dealer and cross your fingers. I'm probably over exaggerating but the red paint around my fangs did crack under the clearcoat with less than 3K thankfully I'm not using it.

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2009 Carbon Fiber/Red 370z aka Trish: Sports Package, Meisterschaft full catback, Fast Intentions Longtube Headers, Injen Long Tube Intakes, UpRev Tune: Sold
2008 Lotus Exige S Club Racer aka Bella, always leaves me smiling

StealthZ

I know first hand from minor paint problems and know that when you go to the Nissan dealer and if they find it to be a defect it is handled differently then a normal part under warranty. as it is a quality control issue of a different level and raises more flags per say then your windshield wipers not working issue.
In comparison, I've owned the last generation 350z VQ35HR and didn't really have any paint issues and seams almost the same as my 370Z. The finish is way better on this car as there is no orange peal at all. Nissan/Infinity is known to have a softer paint, nothing special like the hard clear coat on corvette's and ceramics used on Euro models.
Overall I think the paint is good-to-go. Take care of your paint and it will shine.
Cheers

TreeSemdyZee

They use electrostatic paint that goes on extremely thin. If you look at the paint at a certain angle, you'll see a lot of "orange-peel". The GTRs are the same. The hood and front end of my 350 had major cancer before I got rid of it. Don't expect Nissan to do anything about it.
Japanese carmakers are known to have extremely thin coats of paint. If you check out Zymol wax (not the crap you get at Autozone, the expensive stuff) they have a wax specifically for Japanese cars.

zmyride

i think Nissan uses alumninum for the hood, doors, trunk to reduce weights. maybe theres a reason why they keep the paint like it is.

370zlove3

Just how much weight would you put on the car though? I would imagine the majority of the people would rather have a paint that is strong and durable versus something that reduces the weight only slightly (correct me if I'm wrong).
I know most buyers get turned off because of the coating. But, I know they have the technology to improve the durability - look at the Infinite G37 lineup.

Black is something I would consider buying but I read too many horror stories about it.

CBRich

I would happily let the car weigh five pounds more and get decent paint. This is definitely the worst paint I've had but not something I cry about at night. It's just car paint.

370zlove3

I wonder if a staff from Nissan is looking at this.

Make it happen, Nissan!

kannibul

electrostatic paint is great for being low waste, but it definately produces orange peel because it is so thin. Porsche's, BMW's, Ferrari...they all have orange peel because of it.

Gone are the days of the perfect mirror paint finish with the color coat. It might be flat as glass on the clear, but the color coat always shows something with a number of cars these days.

It's just a symptom of thin paint, which, thin paint = lighter car = better emissions (to an extent)

Maybe they're trying for the golfball approach?

kannibul

My Nissan Frontier chipped in the door jamb from my shoe going across it. Granted, I have metal tabs on my shows (boots, actually), but it shouldn't have chipped.

That said, talk about a heavy hood - the frontier's hood weighs at least 2.5x that of the Z's hood. It takes some actual muscle to get that thing up!

OldGuy

Do you recall any further clues as to the name of the Zymol wax for soft paint cars. I couldn't identify it on their website

370Zsteve

The paint on my wife's Mercedes is similar in hardness and durability to the enamel on my sink. You get what you pay for, I guess.

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SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

zmyride

Mercedes are mechanic-friendly...Too bad only the car lasts as long as the paint.

OldGuy

This is quoted from the Nissan write-up for the European 40th Anniversary Special:
"As its name implies, the Euro-spec 370Z Black Edition comes in two metallic
shades black and quartz with both paints using Nissan's Scratch Shield technology that promises to 'heal' the finish in the case of stone chip damage." Wish we had that.

370zlove3

If that is officially from Nissan's mouth then that is good news.

If you are going to use clearbra, what is the best place to put it?
I know the front, bumper (front), side mirrors, are some. What other places should one consider? Are the rear and roof a waste of money?