Most Fragile Car I've Ever Owned!

nolan1016

I have platinum graphite as well, drove 1100 miles from Houston to Naples Florida. I have only found 2 rock chips in the front, everything else looks great. Platinum Graphite is one of the best colors for a car I have ever owned. Im glad I switched from black at the last minute.

rj45

True, some are better than others, but none of them wear all that well. When comparing paint quality/durability, one must consider how much frontal area is painted, how low the painted panels go, etc. The very low portions (front spoilers, side sills, etc.) are especially vulnerable.

Someone mentioned the Corvette's hard clear. Unfortunately, it doesn't do much for stone chips, IME. The painted area around my old C6 Z06's rear brake ducts got chipped up pretty good within a month. My pop's new Camaro (6 months old) has numerous chips (I'm assuming the clear is the same as the Corvette's). The Camaro hood is pretty flat, and it's already showing some chipping, which is surprising.

I guess it's just something we have to accept, these days. The only options are not driving the car (ridiculous) or installing a clear bra.

Montez

Lol, could not have said it it better myself...lol.

SchoolyZ

Sorry if it seems like I'm complaining guys, but almost every time I go to wash my car, I find some new imperfection. For instance, I just found a scratch on the top of the trunk lid (no clue how it got there) and another blemish on the hood. It's just very frustrating. I'm almost considering taking it to a professional to touch up everything and then installing the clear bra. I've heard some mixed results about the bra though.

nolan1016

Well there is your problem! Washing the car, remember 5 feet away everything looks perfect... PROBLEM SOLVED!!

AnthonyTek

I have the darker 40th graphite paint and its done pretty well considerinng the car has 1300 miles on it. The front bumper tho is rediculous. So many impact marks. Thankfully the hood and fenders are still good. I have two chips on the pass fender where it angles to the hood about half way between windshield and headlight. No idea how they got there. I think i took delivery with it like that but I dont have a leg to stand on since I dove it away without noticing or saying anything.

AEF

shadoquad

antennahead

SC or West Virginia?

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blinkme323

You def aren't the only one man. Like others have said, there have been many threads opened regarding this. Just one of those things you have to live with whenyou have this car I guess.

VCuomo

I know you were making a general statement, but just wanted to point out that EPA rules don't apply to the Z because it's made in Japan, not the USA.

sonic370

I knew going in what to expect from the paint so i just don't worry about it.
Mine is monterey blue which i think doesn't show as many imperfections.
I know i will get flamed for this but i put on a factory nissan bra before the car had a 1000 miles on it,it fits perfect gives me piece of mind and when i sell or traded up one day maybe it will have more resell value.IMHO

rj45

You sure about that? The car is sold here and will ultimately get crushed here. You never know where the paint will end up if it's no longer intact. Then there's recycling issues. They got rid of lead paints for a reason.

I don't know for sure, but just because the car isn't made here doesn't mean our government restrictions don't apply in some way. Just like those kids toys from China with the poisonous paint or whatever...they had to change the paint or stop selling them here.

I don't know enough about international trade laws to really comment on it. What I do know is, of the cars I've owned, none were especially resilient to stone damage. That includes American, Japanese and German cars.

DarkPath

I brought my PG straight home from the dealership, washed and cream waxed the nose, front fenders, roof and tail. Then, two days later I wrapped it in painters tape and took it to Zdayz. So far, care and feeding of my 40th has paid off. Does it take work? Yes... Did I wait for someone to tell me to find a good micro fiber mit, or to wash it carefully, or to wash bird shiz off my car before it ate into the paint? no... Common sense car care will prevent most of the issues discussed here.

BTW 90 % of rock chips are the result of following too close at highway speeds

Just sayin...

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NXTAZEE

I have PG and have owned it since December and have driven it most every day. Had clear bra put on after about a month. It's been washed over 30 times and I don't have any marring in the paint what so ever. Well, those damn B-pillars are marred, but will have CF ones very soon. I wash with a foam gun and a 100% sheep skin wash mitt and rinse bucket, the best method by the way if you don't want marring. I have one rock chip on the door from a massive rock a car spit out at me as it drove by. So far the paint has been one of the best I've had. I also operate my own detailing business, so I have seen many cars over the years, and can say the paint on this car is very average in comparison. I have have spot polish one other 370 (blue) and the paint seemed to be about the same hardness. I feel for everyone who is having such a tough time with their paint. From what I've been reading hear it seems most people would truly benefit from a proper wash program, especially the people with black cars, it will help with the marring issue.

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2010 Carbon Silver 370Z 7AT charcoal int. sports package | Clear Bra | Invidia Gemini CBE | CF B-Pillars | CF Fangs | CF Z emblems | Swift Springs | 20mm & 25mm Spacers | SPC Camber Arms | Brushed Aluminum shift knob

OtaconZ

Congrats on keeping your paint in good shape, but you are definitely an exception to the rule. I've used proper washing/waxing methods since day 1 and haven't been able to avoid chips and the like.