dat240zg

Man, that was great! Thanks for the good lesson. I've been wanting to learn ever since I started to mess with paint colors. On the side, it looks like the majority of the lesson is true for Fireworks (the program) as well. Bryan

Terry: Do that. There are a few of us up here - it'd be nice to get together and talk Z's. If you make it up this far, Sommers and I may have to spring for Penguin Eds BBQ. Bryan

Thanks guys. I was blown away when I saw the pics. To be honest, I can't claim any credit for the body and paint work other than picking the colors. The guys over at the Hack Shack have done a really nice job. As far as the stripe is concerned, it's painted on - the middle stage of the paint work. The pewter was first, then they masked out the stripe and then painted the black over the top. I can't wait to get it back from the paint shop to start reassembly. Hopefully more pics will be coming in the next day or so! Thanks for the kind words. Bryan Dat240zg

Woo Hoo!!!!! Finally get to post some pics from the booth! Final paint was sprayed on Friday and Saturday. Without anymore talk...here's the results: More pics to follow. Car is now being rubbed down and cleared. Should be ready to come back to me on Friday. FINALLY!!! BTW, the colors are Mercedes Pewter Effect and Porsche Basalt Black Pearl.

Guys: Thanks again for the input. When we installed the plates, we did bend the corner to match the profile of the hood. I'm looking into the idea of lower profile bolts as we speak - good idea. Yorgee, I think that you hit it on the head. We're looking at slotting the hood frame to keep from hitting the tops of the towers. I'll be over at the shop today to take pics. Thanks again for the input. Bryan

Techno Toy Tuning it is. The hood that I'm using is a new aftermarket vented 280 Z. It's just part of the frame of the hood that's hitting. I'll try to get some pics tomorrow. Bryan

Hope someone might have a bit of insite on this. I installed the TTT (very nice, btw) and the car is now being reassembled prior to final paint. Today the painter called up and let me know that the underside of the hood frame is hitting the tops of the camber plates (where the bolts mount thru the plate to the top of the suspension). Anyone else run in to this? Also, should have new pics of the Z following soon. Bryan

Man, Bart! Those look nice. I really like the way they're tucked up in the fenders. Big props! Bryan

Thanks guys. I really appreciate the compliments. Bryan

Tool Shed Please? Worthless....

Good ideas both. Once I come up with something, I'll take some pics and post them. Thanks for the input. Bryan

Actually, that's what I kept thinking. Weird thing was that when I finally talked about the project, the majority of people were ok (not that it matters). When I got the car, a lot of the parts that make it valuable for a stock restoration were gone, so it wasn't like I was "ruining" a complete low vin. I'm just pumped that the end is in sight....I, uh, think.... This weekend the plan is for the motor and tranny to go back in for the last time. Now that the fatmat is in and done, I can start on the wiring. The car should be back for final coat in about a week and a half. Final paint scheme should be stunning! Bryan

Guys: I realized the other day that I may have not thought my rear camber plate install all the way through. Here's my dillema: The camber plates were installed and the rear suspension is up and in place. With the TTT camber plates and the MM coil overs, it looks like there's no way to seal the top of the strut tower from road debris and dirt, etc. Am I missing something or just a little slow to realize the obvious? Bryan

The lower color (that's on the car now) is '07 Mercedes Silver Pewter Effect. From the body line up it'll be Porsche Basalt Black - kind of a really dark charcoal gray. Should look nice. Bryan

Well, time for an update! I got the car back from the body shop on Wednesday, with everything from the firewall forward finish painted and the interior and roll cage painted. Since I got it back, I've gotten the front and rear suspension remounted and the sound insulation done throughout the car. Over the next week, the body shop will be finishing the doors, hood and fenders and I'll be sending the car back. I'm gettin pumped! The color turned out incredible! Here's a few pics of the car: While the car was at the bodyshop, I took the time to reassemble the suspension subassemblies so that when I got the body back, it was just a matter of mounting them up. I ended up going with one of the Motorsport steering racks and they seem to be the real deal. Nice and tight. The only thing that I'm kind of kicking myself for is not having thought out/planned out the rear camber plates. The finished product is really nice, but it wasn't until I re-mounted the suspension that I realized that there is no way of sealing out the weather from getting thrown up in the strut tower. More pics to follow! Bryan

I had good luck with the ones from Victoria British or blackdragon or whatever they're called now. Fitment was spot on and only a couple minor shipping dings. Bryan

Send a PM to dsommers. David has probably one of the nicest scarabs in the country, IMO. He is also a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the cars and has connections to some of the hard core Scarab folks around the country. Bryan

Eastwood has a plastic refinishing set - if I remember it was around $25 - and it worked great on my taillights. Mine were in similar condition. The kit consists of several different levels of polish and really brought the lights back to life. Bryan