280z Strip and Paint

DanG

Forum User
I've recently started work restoring a 280z and whilst the paint is okay it is not perfect. There's a few scratches, its a bit faded and I also need to weld in a rear panel and fit a front spoiler, both which will need painting. Because of this I'm planning to have a full outer spray done but I'm also thinking about stripping it down and painting it a different colour (the original colour) inside and out.

How much experience, work and cost is required for a full strip down? I have an engine crane and jack stands but this is my first restoration.
 

Rob Gaskin

Treasurer
Staff member
Site Administrator
Hi Dan,I've not done a full stripdown (plenty on here have) but this is probably a great way to get to know your car and learn.

I reckon with the right equipment it should be fairly simple but time-consuming and at times frustrating (rusty nuts and bolts). Also be methodical, label stuff and take LOTS of photographs for reference.

Be brave but careful.
 

uk66fastback

Club Member
Rob is correct in what he says. Photograph EVERYTHING before you take it apart for reference and label everything - RH, LH etc, and also bag everything and mark it clearly- being methodical. It will pay dividends when it comes to restoring these parts and then reassembling. If you're going to a totally bare shell then label the wiring loom as to what goes to where etc - if not that exhaustive a strip down then it's a lot easier.

The times I've taken things apart and then thought (after a week of it lying on the bench) did that washer go this side or that side of that bracket etc ...

If you take your time and get organised it'll turn out well in the end. Are you doing the body prep or stripping it and giving it to a paint shop?
 

DanG

Forum User
I have already stripped some of the car like the carpets, seats and bumpers etc. I labelled and bagged everything as I did. I only need to strip it to the point of being able to paint it.

Would I have to remove the dash and everything behind it? What about things like the headliner (which is in very good condition and may be original colour underneath anyway)

I will have the body shop do the prep as whilst I may be able to do it myself to a reasonable standard I don't mind paying slightly more to have a truly crisp finish.
 

johnymd

Club Member
These cars are pretty easy to strip down to just a shell and if the car has been in a dry climate, all the bolts/nuts should come apart with ease (as mine all have). If you hit it hard you could get in down to a shell in a week or so. Personally, I'd not strip the interior as it all gets covered plus leave the wiring intact. This will dramatically reduce the time to get it ready for paint and could be stripped in a weekend. I'd take this route and enjoy the car ASAP.
 

Fairlineguy

Club Member
I am on my third full strip down here are a few photos of the first car
Inc the swap to RHD
It's a lot of work i enjoy it as much as owning and driving a classic car .
Be careful many a car will end up being stripped down by there owner never to return
To the road under there ownership.
4ec7e08f83582abefe184b595f6f7047.jpg
661be6898a9320a45d3fc39f0e99a432.jpg
afa115ca884cfc84f5abb3727845fbf7.jpg
32bfc884ed9faf922cf769c0c32f26fc.jpg
6843c272b093feda5568baef9a5f6715.jpg



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moggy240

Insurance Valuations Officer
Staff member
Club Member
The biggest problem I find with old cars is that they have been painted before and sometimes more than once and not always with a good quality paint.so as a general rule I always take it down to bare metal and start again as there is nothing worse than a bad paint reaction which will cost time and money.
 

uk66fastback

Club Member
I know of some paint shops that won't paint a whole car UNLESS they are taken back to bare metal. if there is any 'reaction' with the new paint, the last person to paint it gets the blame!
 

Dave B

Well-Known Forum User
Correct
VW Magma orange
I initially painted the underside in 918 but it was a bit to terracotta for me
So decided on the above

Yeah, I've the same opinion on 918, too much red in it for my tastes. This is the 2nd I've seen painted in Vw magma orange, theres one in Norway ( I think, somewhere up that way anyway) on the Datsun Europe FB group, might well be a 3rd when mine goes to paint too lol

The Z was my first full strip down, pretty simple, other than probably 5 or 6 rusted bolts, and those tw@tting spindle pins :rofl:
No special tools needed really, a good socket set and the usual spanners, an impact driver, large hammer, blowtorch, massive can of penetrating fluid, and a brake pipe spanner pretty much did me.
 

uk66fastback

Club Member
I referred to it as that as that was the closest! I recall from another thread it wasn't the 918 match, but slightly different!

Whatever the colour, it's lovely!
 

Fairlineguy

Club Member
Yeah, I've the same opinion on 918, too much red in it for my tastes. This is the 2nd I've seen painted in Vw magma orange, theres one in Norway ( I think, somewhere up that way anyway) on the Datsun Europe FB group, might well be a 3rd when mine goes to paint too lol



The Z was my first full strip down, pretty simple, other than probably 5 or 6 rusted bolts, and those tw@tting spindle pins :rofl:

No special tools needed really, a good socket set and the usual spanners, an impact driver, large hammer, blowtorch, massive can of penetrating fluid, and a brake pipe spanner pretty much did me.



Blimey looks like Magma
ec19579cd5c4c2e913d676bef97ccc58.jpg
c05449038407b57c189b8add67228e95.jpg
2f0c5b888a1c8e2315c1e6eeb3cbcac4.jpg
it going to become the new 918 then
As I am just finishing off my rb25 car which is painted
In it and have another one in the body shop being done in
It as well .lol


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Dave B

Well-Known Forum User
Haha, mine may well be going down the Rb swap route too. Yours looks amazing


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Jimbo

1978 260z in yellow
Club Member
a worthwhile investment is in cheap pots for storing all the nuts and bolt to each area in.
so if you strip a passenger door put all the nuts and bolts and fittings into the one tub labelled passenger door and so on with the rest of the car. you will be amazed how quickly you run out of pots but you will have a better idea of where all of the bolts came from
something like these are ideal
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clear-Pla...hash=item25baa9e421:m:mJjF0a8rJQsCbn3oH-duEUQ
dont forget to label everything and photograph everything so you can refer back to it when you dont remember where it all went.
depending on the type of person you are i went out and bought blister packs of nuts,bolt and washers so i could replace pretty much all the fastenings.
i didnt strip my car down my uncle did and in so many places old bolts were reused.
im not a perfectionist in the way of using origenal fittings.
i would rather have all new generic bolts that match or even update to better grade.
 

uk66fastback

Club Member
Blimey looks like Magma
ec19579cd5c4c2e913d676bef97ccc58.jpg
c05449038407b57c189b8add67228e95.jpg
2f0c5b888a1c8e2315c1e6eeb3cbcac4.jpg
it going to become the new 918 then
As I am just finishing off my rb25 car which is painted
In it and have another one in the body shop being done in
It as well .lol


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Love the smaller numerals on the rear plate, I'd have had the same on the front plate ... otherwise, PERFECT!
 
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