Greetings All,

This is my first post. I bought a 1990 525i 5 sp with 117k miles last week for $3,000. The only major flaw on it is the silver paint - it's horrible. It looks like the clearcoat is gone on 3/4 of the car and there are deep scratches everywhere. A local (I live near Clarksville, TN) Ziebart Detailing guy said I just needed to paint it. My questions are: 1) If you didn't want to break the bank, but wanted to paint the car, how much would you invest in a paint job? 2) Where would you go? I, of course, have heard of Maaco, but I also know their paint jobs may not be the best. I would like to keep this car at least two year and then sell it and buy a newer one (after I am finished with my Masters). Any thoughts and ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Will

Well, a Macco job will usually last about 2 years and they are pretty cheap.

Might go that route.

You could try it yourself.... The worst that could happen is you have to pay someone to repaint it.

I have the same problem the paint on my car is burned on the hood truck and roof. I'm holding out a bit to do it.

Try doing it your self, it will be hard with silver though, very tough to get right. Black would be decently easy. I'm lucky that right now it just looks like my car is flat black.

Nah, I'd just shell out and repaint the horizontal surfaces. Should be maybe $1,500ish.

Get that timing belt changed, too.

there's no such thing as a good, cheap paint job... its either good, or its cheap. if it doesn't kill ya to wait, i'd try to get more funds and get a decent paint job. nothing worse than a poorly painted car, esp. a bmw. just my 0.02c.

I hit a deer, which gave me an excuse to go ahead and repaint the whole car. I went with Maaco. I ended up getting there best paint job(can't remember what its called). I'm very happy. Looks great and cost around 900 dollars.

I hit a deer, which gave me an excuse to go ahead and repaint the whole car. I went with Maaco. I ended up getting there best paint job(can't remember what its called). I'm very happy. Looks great and cost around 900 dollars.


Got any pics? How did they do with the masking?

I have the same problem the paint on my car is burned on the hood truck and roof. I'm holding out a bit to do it.

Try doing it your self, it will be hard with silver though, very tough to get right. Black would be decently easy. I'm lucky that right now it just looks like my car is flat black.

This is completely backwards. Silver is one of the easiest colors to paint. Black is the hardest bar none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every imperfection shows like crazy on a black car.

I have painted 5 cars and I love it. Very time consuming and I wouldn't want to start with an E34. The Macco job would probably be your best bet as long as you don't plan on keeping too long. Just make sure you clean it real well before you give it to them. There major downfall is prep work

Great info guys. Im in the same boat :)

Hey boss, let me tell you my story...
I had the same issue with my '90 SterlingSilber paint...it looked like deep scratches that I thought a detailing could take care of, but they all said no, it needed a paint job. Bout the car for $2500 with 140K on the clock. With my budget, I went with Maaco, and talked them into their 4 yr guaranteed paint for $900, and they stripped the car down to the bare metal from top/trunk/hood down to the door moldings. They wanted more, but I negotiated. Apparently the lower doors were good enough to just rough up and paint over. They said they could not match exactly the stock BMW paint, but with my budget that was OK if it was off a little bit. It came out a shade lighter, which to me looks good.
As far as masking off the trim, let me give you a tip...remove any and all trim that you can on your own, it's really simple and should only take you an hour or so to do, everything literally just pops off...I'm talking about the roundels and badge, the side door mouldings, lower door mouldings, side and lower fender mouldings front and rear, and all four of the door window trim...even the front and rear windows if you can manage. They don't mask exceptionally well, since they are a "mass production" shop, meaning in and out as quick as possible. Plus, they're not very careful when it comes to using their circular sanders, I found much of my trim (and even my glass) to have sander marks. It was so bad on the window trim that I made them buy me new chrome trim all around, and they put up a fight. I have pics that I can get to you later when I get home, I thought I had some stored here on bf.c but can't figure out how to get to them..
EDIT: after the paint, get the car clear-coated, by all means.

And don't forget the door handle surrounds, take those off, too. Gives you a chance to replace the gaskets behind them if you need to. These are a bit tricky but still easy. If I had to do it again, or to claim the warranty, I'd remove all the trimmin's. Just search thu these boards to find out, or mail me. i ended up shadowlining the chrome surrounds and giving my door handle surrounds a coat of trim black, too.

This is completely backwards. Silver is one of the easiest colors to paint. Black is the hardest bar none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every imperfection shows like crazy on a black car.

I have painted 5 cars and I love it. Very time consuming and I wouldn't want to start with an E34. The Macco job would probably be your best bet as long as you don't plan on keeping too long. Just make sure you clean it real well before you give it to them. There major downfall is prep work

As far as debris in the paint,I agree blk shows alot. But Silver or ANY high mettalic base/clear color can be difficult if your not perfected in your hand on gun skills. If your not deadly consistant with gun distance and trigger your mettallics can float all over the depths and look very splotchy. ANd this doesent "wetsand" out either.
My black 5er parts came out clean and slick last nite without a downdraft booth. But I am sanding and polishing tonite.
Its more of an understanding of your given materials and being able to trouble shoot problems on the spot to make it nice in the end.
Prep,masking and bodywork is what takes the most time.Bar none.
.......Vinny:cool

True that Vinny. You are definately correct on the floating metallic. Always a good idea to seal the car before you paint as well to prevent other chemicals from seeping through or reacting very badly with the new.

If you shoot enough clear, any paint job can look good. Prep, masking, wetsanding and buffing are the key to a good paintjob.


I really agree with removing everything before taking it to Maaco. They do a fairly decent paint job, but there prep and masking absolutely blows goats.

What color is the easiest to paint? White?

What color is the easiest to paint? White?

White is the "absence of color......but yes, its a breeze. It hides body flaws the best and can be cheap in a single stage. Covers well too.I hate it,lol.:shifty
If your keeping the car and want it to look its best.....Definatly use 2K epoxy primers and a seal primer ( RVAE43,yes sir)just before your color coats.
One oldschool trick I live by is to mist a "guidecoat" of lacquer black on the primer filler and then sand with reduced papers as you inspect/perfect. Repeat as many times as you find flaws.
THEN lightly wash with hot soapy water then airhose all nooks with an airhose thats oil trapped well !!!:nono
Now get to paintin' !:alright
...........V'

I would say red or white is the easiest. The mist of black spray paint is an excellent way to find high/low spots. Maybe we should put together a thread for the do it yourselfer with instructions and tips. I have lots of pics of the E30 I painted flat black as well as my s14 silvia and my friends GTI which I shaved all moulding off of.

I would say red or white is the easiest. The mist of black spray paint is an excellent way to find high/low spots. Maybe we should put together a thread for the do it yourselfer with instructions and tips. I have lots of pics of the E30 I painted flat black as well as my s14 silvia and my friends GTI which I shaved all moulding off of.

Good Idea.
Well damn.....if my Sony digi wasn't flaking on me ,I could be doing just that !:shifty But its doing really odd behavior randomly....like macro focusing til finity and crap like that.
I'll be prepping my hood and some ACS mirrors soon....maybe I can figure the camera out by then ?lol.
Everything is being shot black base/clear.
I'm even flat blocking all surfaces for that killer show shine.....Mmmmm:cool.Wet glassness,lol.
.....Vinny

Do it!! I am seriously thinking about painting my E34. I've always wanted to learn how to do it and a good guide thread would be fantastic! It's going to take a long time and be a tedious process, but for me, I like being able to take as long as I want so work is done exactly to my expectations.

In the mean time....go buy a cheapie Harbor frieght " HVLP detail/jamb gun". The HVLP stands for HIGH VOLUME LOW PRESSURE.
Lesson #one.......learn the equipment first !!!!!!!:nono DO not pass go until you know the makings of that gun inside and out.Spray cheap paint though it for whatever...lawn furniture,your ex's cat.....doesent matter.
You must know how to intamatly recognise how and why it functions.CLEAN THE DAMN GUN ALOT>:alright

The gun itself will fowl your prepwork faster than rain. Really. You'll also learn quickly the controls of air,liquid,pattern size etc. All needed knowledge. Those guns are like 20 bux !
Laquer thinner is your dear cleaning friend.;)
Then,,,,we can go on to the details of the work. You really don't want to learn the gun WHILST doing the other.IMHO.
..........Vinny

there's no such thing as a good, cheap paint job... its either good, or its cheap. if it doesn't kill ya to wait, i'd try to get more funds and get a decent paint job. nothing worse than a poorly painted car, esp. a bmw. just my 0.02c.

Well, that isn't always true, if you know someone who owns their own bodyshop.:devillook
My last paintjob cost $700:
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/badassbmw/DSC01564.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y1/badassbmw/bmwpics059.jpg

Great thread! I have been painting cars for several years now. I have been a member of some other forums for old detroit iron and there are usually subforums dedicated to body and paint. I am new with BMWs but I have the "BMW bug" bad. I was starting to think that members here didn't do much do it yourself work especially bodywork and paint. I would also suggest a bodywork and paint thread if not a complete subforum. It sounds like there are at least a few on here who have the experience to contribute to beginners. I would be happy to contribute. It is a very rewarding accomplishment to paint your own car and get compliments on it.

How do you contact the moderator for the whole forum? I feel strongly about the value of having a forum listed at the top of the page focusing on bodywork and paint, and I would like to make the suggestion. Does anybody else think this is a good idea? Then the whole group could benefit not just the e34 folks.

i second this motion. my wagon needs a paintjob, though i'm not saying i could do it, i'm very interested in paint/bodywork, and want to get it looking great again.

Here are a few pics from my friends E30 I painted as well as the GTI I did.

<br><p><br><br><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/28/50823819_9d80356bc0_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/33/50823820_dbc908e8ba_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/32/50823822_6df8bb3dbb_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/27/50823823_89ebff8d1f_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/27/50823825_84f3aa9a1b_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/25/50825349_2f7489aec6_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/29/50825350_9fa54f406b_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/33/50825351_46a06e8eb3_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/25/50825352_66632fad77_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/32/50825353_ce5f5c02c1_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/32/50825354_5930d8dafe_o.jpg" alt=""><br><br><br><br><br><p><br>Another friends BMW racecar<br><p><br><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/135526940/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/53/135526940_3b6b1256f8_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC02569" /></a><br><p><br><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/135526943/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/52/135526943_16aff13911_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC02571" /></a><br><p><br><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/135526944/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/48/135526944_62fc038816_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC02573" /></a><br><p><br><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/135526945/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/47/135526945_7e5f8dce96_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC02589" /></a><br><p><br><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/135526946/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/50/135526946_9ebba39761_o.jpg" width="480" height="640" alt="DSC02590" /></a><br><p><br><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/135526947/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/46/135526947_7426b67290_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC02591" /></a><br><p><br><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/135527798/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/56/135527798_567f7c150c_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC02600" /></a><br><p><br><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/135527799/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/48/135527799_e9cc950fbc_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC02606_2" /></a><br><p><br><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/135527802/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/51/135527802_896ac4d778_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC02607_1" /></a><br><p><br><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/135527804/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/34/135527804_253bd39808_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC02608_1" /></a><br><p><br><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/135527806/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/45/135527806_c582601f91_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC02609_1" /></a><br><p><br><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/135527808/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/53/135527808_80a074d297_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC02620_2" /></a><br><p><br><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/135528284/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/52/135528284_eb66aa47f3_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="DSC02627_1" /></a><br>

Very nice work! I wish i had a garage. lol

man the flat black racer just looks so badass. very nice, great work!

I did the grill charcoal grey but only a few shades lighter than the black.

My other projects from the past, only these were mine and the very first cars I painted. The silvia is ducati racing matte grey not primer.

<br><br><br><br><p><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/31/51091093_9850ce37a3_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/30/51091094_d45c9a74f9_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/32/51091095_40f169c770_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/29/51091096_13a4ebafe2_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/24/51091097_629046a84b_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/28/50812625_249d5265a9_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/28/50812626_6cee2a4db3_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/33/51091389_80047a212a_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/31/50812627_2c80043664_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/28/50812628_0cacdb90a8_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/30/51091388_ef4140260d_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/29/50812629_7c53714ddb_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/27/50814141_f1d3bfa09e_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/27/50814142_a140fc9aad_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/24/50814143_9c3fafd9f6_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/24/51381083_4f8a8c6830_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/26/51381085_82a8dda713_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/26/51381087_5cc688105b_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/25/51381088_14aa3f11c7_o.jpg" alt=""><br><br><p> <br><br><p><br><br><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/29/50825789_de46747606_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/33/50825791_21d7dcff7c_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/28/50825792_3cf7e71730_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/26/50825793_c6d69f1154_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/33/50825794_72424ed424_o.jpg" alt=""><br><img src="http://static.flickr.com/25/50826732_1a08c0d432_o.jpg" alt=""><br><br><p><br>

This is completely backwards. Silver is one of the easiest colors to paint. Black is the hardest bar none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every imperfection shows like crazy on a black car.

I have painted 5 cars and I love it. Very time consuming and I wouldn't want to start with an E34. The Macco job would probably be your best bet as long as you don't plan on keeping too long. Just make sure you clean it real well before you give it to them. There major downfall is prep work


Thanks for all the very helpful input everybody! I think I will keep the car silver no matter who does it. I would not mind trying to paint it myself, but as my time is VERY limited (I work as a full time pastor for two churches and go to school full time) and this is my only vehicle, I would like to have the job done in a week. Also, The timing belt was changed at 80,000 miles (it has 118,000 now). It may need a new power steering pump as it is making quite a bit of noise when I turn it sharply (maybe it is ok for now though). Anyway, $900 at Maaco doesn't sound too bad if I prep it as you all have advised...Of course, painting it myself would be interesting if I had the time and guidance!

If your limited on time, then prepping it yourself and taking it to Maaco is your best bet. Even prepping it correctly will take time. I would see if they will wirk with you.

Remove the trim and mouldings, sand through the clear with 600 and then 800. Perhaps maybe start with 400, but that might be hard to get the sand marks out. then preclean it and mask it. Tow it to them and get them to cut the price in half and get a pretty good paint job. Good luck, and post pics of the progress :)

Nice sylvia! I almost went that rought rather then a BMW. Eventually ill get around to it!

Nice Yukon. I figured you would like my 69 Chevy C10 better that the silvia.

The silvia was a beast with Blitz front mount IC, Stillen intake, ceramic coated manifold, Walbro fuel pump, Apexi twin chamber blow off valve, HKS 3" downpipe, Random tech 3" high flow cat, Apexi 3" cat back exhaust, HKS boost controller, apexi turbo timer, apexi boost gauge and apexi JDM adjustable suspension.

12.9 in the 1/4 and 268 RWHP:buttrock

This is turning into a fun thread. :thumbup:

Nice Yukon. I figured you would like my 69 Chevy C10 better that the silvia.

The silvia was a beast with Blitz front mount IC, Stillen intake, ceramic coated manifold, Walbro fuel pump, Apexi twin chamber blow off valve, HKS 3" downpipe, Random tech 3" high flow cat, Apexi 3" cat back exhaust, HKS boost controller, apexi turbo timer, apexi boost gauge and apexi JDM adjustable suspension.

12.9 in the 1/4 and 268 RWHP:buttrock

Another Nissan fan,Nice !:buttrock I've got an AWD full drivetrain RB26DETT awaiting in my shop to swedge into a 1970 Datsun 240-Z.Lots of modified turbo Z's in my history. About 30 in all.Here's a pic of the 73' I did a ton of fabbrication on.....T3-T/4,Tial wastegate 44mm,3" SS Veilside exhaust,Veilside 17"x9" 3 piece wheels,Veilside steer wheel etc.
(

I can't seem to find the picture of my old Black 89' Maxima I did with a full Kamanari body kit with Emerson Fittipaldi wheels...:shifty
Oh well.....here's one of myGuards red 70's 240-z( shaved emblems and color matched bumpers and trim. I drove this car from age 16-25. Still have it,lol. and another of the white tow car 260-Z...getting painted again soon.
(

Another Nissan fan,Nice !:buttrock I've got an AWD full drivetrain RB26DETT awaiting in my shop to swedge into a 1970 Datsun 240-Z.Lots of modified turbo Z's in my history. About 30 in all.Here's a pic of the 73' I did a ton of fabbrication on.....T3-T/4,Tial wastegate 44mm,3" SS Veilside exhaust,Veilside 17"x9" 3 piece wheels,Veilside steer wheel etc.
(

Absolutely beautiful. WHen I get home, I will post pics of my pops immaculate 72 240z lime green original color 67k original miles. It is amazing!!!!!!!

He has had like 8 240z's, and like 10 510's. We are getting ready to get a 510 and install an SR20det or FJ20de

Absolutely beautiful. WHen I get home, I will post pics of my pops immaculate 72 240z lime green original color 67k original miles. It is amazing!!!!!!!

He has had like 8 240z's, and like 10 510's. We are getting ready to get a 510 and install an SR20det or FJ20de

Awesome little cars and thanks for the props. Regarding the 510.....I just gave one of my best friends my 70' 510 2dr and he's stuffing a Q45 drivetrain into it and thinking REAL hard about twin turboing it !:redspot....I hope he follows through with it. He and I have done alot of swaps together in the past so I know he's more than capable.Light and fast....whew !
After I get done painting this Blk e34 and getting her back on the street.....I'll start on my black Syclone.The factory single stage is garbage . Zero UV ray stability here in the midwest weather.:rolleyes
I love polish and or painting black......and I don't know why,lol.
........Vinny

Damn!! Next time give the 510 to me!!!!!!

Damn!! Next time give the 510 to me!!!!!!

Lol.....he'd been eyeballin' it for years and hadn't had a project of his own since he'd married (it does that ya' know) so I let him have at it. Besides...the wifey has a hard time argueing FREE !:D...shoe in.
Now if I can just make time fot the AWD RB Z.:shifty
........V'

I have only seen one and it is in Japan. It also has like 1000 hp.

I have only seen one and it is in Japan. It also has like 1000 hp.

Was it a red one ?WIth widened flares? I've seen that one. Its only the second AWD version in the world so far. I'm actually widening my chasis cabin by 10" down the middle lengthwise.Rather than just flares.The wheels I have sitting with the rear drivetrain are a 3-piece 18x13" wide wheel.It makes the width rim to rim like 79" wide.Thats SOME track.
My HP goals are only 650-700,At least thats the range of the HKS cams I bought a few years ago for this.
.........Vinny
Here's a pix of a friends RB-Z....its further along than this pic now though.He's since painted the engine bay red and added alot of finished parts.Two wheel drive.

Awesome. I will post pics of my pops Z in about two hours. He also has a 90 300zx and a 93 300zx twin turbo. All 3 have under 100k miles and look like new

rvae34, I'm getting my whole car repainted and have some clearcoat cracking (looks like someone buffed the areas with a brillo pad, but they are smooth to the touch and are not ingrained). I don't think the shop is going to sand it down to the metal, should I be concerned and will the "cracks" come back??

I wouldn't worry too much if they use a primer and then a sealer. These two will fill in any imperfections and also form a barrier b/t the old chemicals and the new.

I wouldn't worry too much if they use a primer and then a sealer. These two will fill in any imperfections and also form a barrier b/t the old chemicals and the new.

Alright sweet, I hope so. I would hate to get the whole car painted only for the cracks to show up later on again.

rvae34, I'm getting my whole car repainted and have some clearcoat cracking (looks like someone buffed the areas with a brillo pad, but they are smooth to the touch and are not ingrained). I don't think the shop is going to sand it down to the metal, should I be concerned and will the "cracks" come back??

If it is actual cracking (it's actually called 'checking') then the cracks have to be sanded out or they will appear again. No primer or sealer will take care of it. Yes, they will fill them in and it will look good for awhile, but the only way to prevent it from coming back is to sand down until the checking is gone. This doesn't always mean you have to sand down to bare metal.

Here's a pix of a friends RB-Z....its further along than this pic now though.He's since painted the engine bay red and added alot of finished parts.

Hopefully he put clamps on those hoses too. ;)

If it is actual cracking (it's actually called 'checking') then the cracks have to be sanded out or they will appear again. No primer or sealer will take care of it. Yes, they will fill them in and it will look good for awhile, but the only way to prevent it from coming back is to sand down until the checking is gone. This doesn't always mean you have to sand down to bare metal.

Without actually looking at it, its hard for us to nail exactly.But I will state that if the performance level of the paint BELOW is less than whats going on TOP.....your throwing your money away.
Think of it like this......would you build your house on sand just cause' its flat ?The foundation causes the final resulting effects.
I'd at LEAST sand through the problems to stable primers etc.Otherwise......:mad regret.
.........V'

Without actually looking at it, its hard for us to nail exactly.But I will state that if the performance level of the paint BELOW is less than whats going on TOP.....your throwing your money away.
Think of it like this......would you build your house on sand just cause' its flat ?The foundation causes the final resulting effects.
I'd at LEAST sand through the problems to stable primers etc.Otherwise......:mad regret.
.........V'

Yep. 90% of a good paint job is in the prep. Runs and orange peel can be sanded out, but the base needs to be good.

Nice ! I particularly like the 5th shot.Grass and all. Looks like somebody likes to mow,speaking of grass.lol.
think I've seen these pix on anopther thread??

Not sure though.

Sorry, realized all the plates were there.

As promised here are the pics of the 240z. Also my pops 90 300zx and 93 300zx twin turbo.
We rebuilt the motor on the 240. He got a new head, carbs etc. I repainted the engine bay and the grey rear tail light panel. As well as both front grey sections on the 300's.

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/14049800@N00/376986189/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/150/376986189_2dc131a802_o.jpg" width="1280" height="960" alt="100_0394_2" /></a>
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very clean.. nice job