How far is too far?

ZYGOTE · 03-30-2010, 12:14 AM

Hey guys, my Z is failry new and I have an appointment set up next week to install the clear bra. In the meantime, I bought the "leather" Nissan nose mask. Here is my problem, the mask connects to the underside of the plastic grill part of the bumper with several plastic hooks. One of the hooks must have snapped and it put two nice, semi-deep scratches into the grill. The good news is the scratches are on the underside of the grill and you can't see them unless you are basically on your back looking up at the car. The bad news is, they still really bother me and I'd like to fix them.

I know there is no way to replace just the grill, so do you guys think it would be overkill to get a whole new bumper? If so, then please bring me back to my senses, lol.

steveg78 · 03-30-2010, 12:29 AM

Who's going to get on their back and look under your car and point that out??? I'm anal too with my Z but you have to chalk that one up as a christening scratch. If that's the last scratch you get then you're golden. Replacing the bumper is insane.

Trips · 03-30-2010, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveg78

Who's going to get on their back and look under your car and point that out??? I'm anal too with my Z but you have to chalk that one up as a christening scratch. If that's the last scratch you get then you're golden. Replacing the bumper is insane.

ZYGOTE · 03-30-2010, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steveg78

Who's going to get on their back and look under your car and point that out??? I'm anal too with my Z but you have to chalk that one up as a christening scratch. If that's the last scratch you get then you're golden. Replacing the bumper is insane.

I hear you, I'm just extremely OCD when it comes to my car. It wouldn't be so bad if the scratches weren't as deep as they are. I guess you are right though, I must be losing my mind, lol.

kenchan · 03-30-2010, 08:01 AM

a scratch you can't see from normal angle is nothing to worry about.

Its like worring about dangling dead worms under the car after a rain storm.

RandyJamesA · 03-30-2010, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

a scratch you can't see from normal angle is nothing to worry about.

Its like worring about dangling dead worms under the car after a rain storm.

Dangling dead worms? Ohhh My Gawd! I didn't know that could happen! I usually try to drive around them anyway, but I'm sure I his some! It rained yesterday! I have to check my car right now...later...

kenchan · 03-30-2010, 12:37 PM

Modshack · 03-30-2010, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZYGOTE

so do you guys think it would be overkill to get a whole new bumper? If so, then please bring me back to my senses, lol.

Yes. Seek counseling...Probably cheaper in the long run

FuszNissan · 03-30-2010, 01:21 PM

Don't get a new bumper, and no you can't just order the grill.

370zdub · 03-30-2010, 01:23 PM

No way I would replace the bumper, and generally trying to fix the scratch just makes it worse, Just go with if that is the worst thing that happens to the car then your car is going to have a great life.

40th370z · 03-30-2010, 01:40 PM

Did the scratch go through the clear coat into the paint?

Most good detail shops can cut/polish those scratches out ,then have it clearbra'd

semtex · 03-30-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZYGOTE

I hear you, I'm just extremely OCD when it comes to my car. It wouldn't be so bad if the scratches weren't as deep as they are. I guess you are right though, I must be losing my mind, lol.

I hate to say this, but you're going to have to get used to it with this car. The paint is rather thin. It chips easily. ClearBra is definitely the right thing to do. But even with a ClearBra you're going to get minor chips and scratches every now and then. But on the positive side, I've never had a car that generates so little brake dust. (See, it's not all doom and gloom.)

wishihadnav · 03-30-2010, 03:18 PM

yeah do it!..im on my third new bumper...jp haha

KingZee · 03-30-2010, 05:37 PM

I'm like that too, I generally get over it in a few days so try not to think about it and it'll go away

ZYGOTE · 03-30-2010, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40th370z

Did the scratch go through the clear coat into the paint?

Most good detail shops can cut/polish those scratches out ,then have it clearbra'd

No, the scratches are aren't in the paint, they are on the bottom of the black plastic grill/mustache. That's what makes a fix so difficult.

03-30-2010, 12:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
ZYGOTE Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NE Posts: 80 Drives: 09 6MT SP Rep Power: 15	How far is too far? Hey guys, my Z is failry new and I have an appointment set up next week to install the clear bra. In the meantime, I bought the "leather" Nissan nose mask. Here is my problem, the mask connects to the underside of the plastic grill part of the bumper with several plastic hooks. One of the hooks must have snapped and it put two nice, semi-deep scratches into the grill. The good news is the scratches are on the underside of the grill and you can't see them unless you are basically on your back looking up at the car. The bad news is, they still really bother me and I'd like to fix them. I know there is no way to replace just the grill, so do you guys think it would be overkill to get a whole new bumper? If so, then please bring me back to my senses, lol.

03-30-2010, 01:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
FuszNissan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: St. Louis Posts: 14,275 Drives: Pure Sex Rep Power: 542	Don't get a new bumper, and no you can't just order the grill. __________________ Mods: Too Many to list! LouFuszNissan ZDAYZ 2012

03-30-2010, 01:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
370zdub Track Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: UT Posts: 628 Drives: 09 370z 6mt,10 Ford Rep Power: 17	No way I would replace the bumper, and generally trying to fix the scratch just makes it worse, Just go with if that is the worst thing that happens to the car then your car is going to have a great life. __________________ 2010 Ford 6.4L Power Stroke Diesel: 588whp/1082wtrq 2007 Dodge 6.7L Cummins Diesel: 788whp/1405wtrq, runs 12's @ 7400lbs, Still miss my 370z!

03-30-2010, 12:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
steveg78 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: MD Posts: 569 Drives: 09 370Z PG M6 +Sport Rep Power: 17	Who's going to get on their back and look under your car and point that out??? I'm anal too with my Z but you have to chalk that one up as a christening scratch. If that's the last scratch you get then you're golden. Replacing the bumper is insane.

03-30-2010, 08:01 AM	#5 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	a scratch you can't see from normal angle is nothing to worry about. Its like worring about dangling dead worms under the car after a rain storm.

03-30-2010, 12:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521

03-30-2010, 01:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
40th370z Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 134 Drives: 2010-370z-40th Ann. Rep Power: 297	Did the scratch go through the clear coat into the paint? Most good detail shops can cut/polish those scratches out ,then have it clearbra'd

03-30-2010, 03:18 PM	#13 (permalink)
wishihadnav A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: 90090 Posts: 1,851 Drives: Force Fed Nismo Rep Power: 184	yeah do it!..im on my third new bumper...jp haha

03-30-2010, 05:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
KingZee A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Glendale, CA Age: 41 Posts: 2,612 Drives: Focus ST Rep Power: 423	I'm like that too, I generally get over it in a few days so try not to think about it and it'll go away