For some reason I've yet to figure out, I decided to paint the rear bumper saturday. Which then led to painting the bumper step. Which lead to painting the bumper corners which led to... well you get the idea.

I must say for my first time, I think I did ok. Still needs a little touch up work with some wet sanding but outside of that it doesn't look too terrible.

Here's what I used:
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/X-ray_2/NewPaint012.jpg

WTF? This is where I lost control and just started dismantling everything:
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/X-ray_2/NewPaint011.jpg

Front View (before):
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/X-ray_2/NewPaint002.jpg

Grill and crossbar (before):
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/X-ray_2/NewPaint007.jpg

Fairing with Nissan removed and Shrock sticker (after):
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/X-ray_2/NewPaint001.jpg

Close-up of rear bumper:
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/X-ray_2/NewPaint003.jpg

Rear view:
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/X-ray_2/NewPaint015.jpg

The new face of X-Ray 1:
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/X-ray_2/NewPaint014.jpg

How ya like me now?
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg172/X-ray_2/NewPaint013.jpg

NICE Drake!! I like the satin finish, I think I am gonna have to do my front grill this year. and I am also gonna do the body side molding as well.

Drake it looks great!!!..Nice job!!

Damn, that shit is bad AZZ.....I love it, good job.
I am really loving that silver accent on the back bumper and around the headlights!!
Not to bust your balls. LOL...but you should remove that ugly dealer plate on the back..

P.S. the air deflector looks awesome too

damn you and your inspiring mods drake, that looks so good
my heart rate increased at the thought of painting my shiz, mine looks bad right now

Drake! Excellent work my friend! Although I am not a fan of the rear bumper color, I can definitely appreciate the quality of work. The X is looking good!! The wind deflector looks awesome with the Shrockworks sticker up there!

Thanks everybody!

Yeah James your right bro... I'm not crazy about the rear either. I think next weekend when I do the wet sanding and touch up I'm gonna hit it with that satin black too.

The best part was that the X is designed where you can detach every single individual piece of trim! The only masking I had to do was cover my foglights only because I didn't feel like fooling with taking them out.

Good news is... I've got more places to put my CX stickers! hahaha

The best part was that the X is designed where you can detach every single individual piece of trim!

Except DO NOT detach the door trim! It will never be the same. I say keep that on there because you will never get it to stick like the factory double sided tape. Just trust me on that.;)

So Drake, I noticed that you mixed brands.....

Krylon is your favorite isn't it? I tried Duplicolor and I tried rustoleom, and each time, it sucked! I would've rather wasted my time/money on Bon Jovi tickets. IMO, Krylon is the best. It is all that I use now. Your thoughts?

I think the Krylon gave me better coverage on the first coat. I did 1 dusting coat, 1 thick coat and then a 3rd coat to even it out.

I used the Dupli-color on the rear at first because I had it left over from when I painted my skid plates (Shrock actually recommends dupli-color enamel for his plates btw). So I bought the gray and used it on the rear and had a lot of runs and there was some kind of shit in the can that kept coming out. Like lint or something. It took me a lot of touch-up to get that right.

Today I went and picked up all of the Krylon and redid all the black on the rear and the whole front with it (3 cans almost). I had to use the dupli-color silver because Krylon didn't make a gray or silver in the Fusion. But it turned out really well. I was really impressed with the way the headlights came out. Although a touch lighter than I would have liked.

All in all, no doubt I would go with Krylon over anything else but they just didn't have the colors I wanted.

Almost forgot... I painted all of this in my backyard in 20 - 25 mph winds. It was friggin' insane but I couldn't stop doing it. lol I probably could have done it all with 2 cans because of all the overspray I had from the damn wind. I gotta find a garage! lmao

you have inspired me!! I have saved all your pics and put it on my to do list!!

yes drake this has just been added to my to do list.....

hey dustin you wanna make a mod day some time and knock this out together???? along with whatever else you need to do on the runner??????

i got so much on my plate right now lol
this saturday(4/26) im gonna hit the runner
try and get the starteer working, the lift on, remove the 3" drop on the radiator, and replace the thermostat
and maybe the back seats installed(i hope)

i would say i could help but i have that BBQ for the noobster's mom and dad.... so i dont think i will be able to... also i might be draging the pathy over to a friends house... he has air tools and a motor puller.... air tools are always a +... LOL

looks pretty sick my friend, compared to the others i've seen with painted bumpers

Hey wanna sell me your tail light guards :)

No can do chief... lol. I'm kinda partial to 'em. And they helped save one of my lights when I was backing up blind one night.

Glad I could offer a little inspiration here. This could be done in a day if you started early but I stretched it out over a weekend. I wish I could have given it more time to cure before I had to drive it but oh well. Have a feeling I'm going to have a bit more touch up to do next weekend once it does cure. But overall... I'm happy with the outcome. I just hope the finish is durable against stuff like tree limbs and crap like that. I may consider some kind of enamel or clearcoat or a final coat of epoxy paint to protect it more.

ive always wanted to herculine all my unpainted plastic and my rocker panels, i think it'd look sick and be tough as hell

I've got that on the agenda after I put a few more dents and dings in my girl. Right now she still has purdy skin. hahaha

Curse you and your motivating pictures. It looks sweet Drake. I want some tail light guards.

Looks awsome Drake!

That looks damn nice. I have thought about painting ALL of the plastic before but I wasn't sure how it would look, but now i'm definetly going to have to do it.

By the way Drake, I just painted my entire roof rack black yesterday, it came out pretty sweet looking, I think it would look pretty slick on your truck. ;)

Cool man. I started considering doing that myself after I believe it was Steeze's X that he did it too. Then getting Creepy Cruiser to do my xterra logos in white to go back on it.

Post some pics when you can. I'd like to check that out bro.

Sure thing...just a second...

Edit: Any suggestions for picture hosting sites? I usually use ImageShack, but it isn't working right now for some reason.

Edit x2: Nevermind, I got it.

Sorry for the crappy pics, but I think you get the idea. I'll try to get better pics after I wash it on Saturday.

http://thumbnails3.imagebam.com/543/6adaac5425555.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/6adaac5425555)

http://thumbnails3.imagebam.com/543/ee74795425556.gif (http://www.imagebam.com/image/ee74795425556)

And i'm off to class. See ya later CX.

I normally use photobucket but sometimes it can be a PITA at peak times.

I got it, see above post.

Looks good bro!

I may go with a light silver decal if I do decide to paint my rack. I've got a lot on my plate right now. Going to replace my auto-hubs today. Ordering and installing a tranny cooler hopefully next week and possibly an oil cooler. Then it's on to wheels and tires. Then new UCA's. Then.... well you know...it's a neverending cycle. hahaha

im lovin the black! but do u think it would look good if u x is already black?

great job! Looks like new!

Dude,

Great job. I too have downloaded the pics for future planning. How difficult is the front plastic to get off the rig? It kinda looks like regular fasteners. I have problems with plastic fasteners, I tend to snap things easily. What's the degree of difficulty on the mechanics (the painting I OK with).

:wink-big:

Looks good bro!

I may go with a light silver decal if I do decide to paint my rack. I've got a lot on my plate right now. Going to replace my auto-hubs today. Ordering and installing a tranny cooler hopefully next week and possibly an oil cooler. Then it's on to wheels and tires. Then new UCA's. Then.... well you know...it's a neverending cycle. hahaha

I just painted over the xterra decal and then peeled it off after I got done, which revealed the silver xterra you see in the pictures.

Dude,

Great job. I too have downloaded the pics for future planning. How difficult is the front plastic to get off the rig? It kinda looks like regular fasteners. I have problems with plastic fasteners, I tend to snap things easily. What's the degree of difficulty on the mechanics (the painting I OK with).


There are 4 plastic fasteners on the top of the plastic bumper between the headlights. I broke all 4 of them in a fit of rage. hahaha But because of the way my KC's are mounted it keeps the bumper secure. What I should have down in hindsight was remove the entire bumper from the frame THEN removed the plastic from the bumper mounts. I could have saved the 4 plastic screws that way but oh well. The rest of the screws are simple to get to. I recommend removing the whole bumper assembly first because that will give you easy access to the screws holding the headlight covers and the grill insert. They also have screws on the top rail under your hood but very easy.

This is not something you will have to be mechanically savvy to do. Just take your time and don't force things if they don't budge at first. Make sure all your fasteners are out and unplug your sidemarkers and foglights (if you have them).

So far the finish looks great on mine minus all the bug guts splattered on the front of it. They are predicting heavy rains this weekend so touch up is out of the question for me but I'll get to see how the water affects it but I don't think it will at all.

That first picture has everything I used minus tools to do this with. I think you will need an 8mm and 10mm socket, a philips head screwdriver and a flathead screwdriver. You will need the flathead only for the grill insert. It has plastic screw fasteners BUT THEY DO NOT UNSCREW. You turn the screw head to match up with the square hole on the insert and then it pops loose. If you remove your front bumper you will need a large socket but I don't recall what size. Something like an 18mm or 3/4" but I don't remember exactly.

hmm that was a smart idea...........

Drake, I have a couple of questions for you:
1. Did the grease and wax remover come in handy?
2. Was the steel wool used only for the metal parts or the plastic as well?

Thanks!!! I appreciate the writeup

That looks pretty cool! Nice paint job man!

Drake U Need To Do The Headlight Plastic Too.. I Think It Would Look Nice, I Used The Bed Liner Shit On Mine

I Also Had The Same Problem Wit Hthe Bumper I Couldnt Spray It Cuz It Was A Bitch To Take Off

Wow! Looks good drake!!!

Man drake that looks so clean and nice love it! If I had a silver X I would follow in your foot steps! Can I make a recommendation, get some of that Krylon Black Paint and paint the underside of your X it will make it look brand new, just like show room quality and prevent rusting when four wheeling, I did it too mine just the main areas that showed a few of the spots that didn't. I didn't sand it either, just used a wirebrush to clean off some caked on dirt and rust and then painted.

Drake U Need To Do The Headlight Plastic Too.. I Think It Would Look Nice, I Used The Bed Liner Shit On Mine

Drake already did his in silver...LOL

Drake, I have a couple of questions for you:
1. Did the grease and wax remover come in handy?
2. Was the steel wool used only for the metal parts or the plastic as well?

Thanks!!! I appreciate the writeup

Glad it helps bro.

1. The remover helps to get any soap or wax residue as well as bug guts and anything you miss when you wash it. Any residue on the plastics can affect how well the paint adheres to it.

2. I used the steel wool as well as 800 grit sandpaper to scuff ALL of the surfaces I painted. By creating a rough surface, it will help the paint stick and not run as easily. Do any sanding/scuffing BEFORE you use the paint prep/remover.

Man drake that looks so clean and nice love it! If I had a silver X I would follow in your foot steps! Can I make a recommendation, get some of that Krylon Black Paint and paint the underside of your X it will make it look brand new, just like show room quality and prevent rusting when four wheeling, I did it too mine just the main areas that showed a few of the spots that didn't. I didn't sand it either, just used a wirebrush to clean off some caked on dirt and rust and then painted.

I've thought about that and I think I will do it when I get my sliders welded on. That way the sliders will match the frame and I've got some pretty nasty gouges in the frame from rocks that are just inviting rust to move in so I need to do something about it.

Thanks for the compliments!

BEARSPATH8:
How difficult is the front plastic to get off the rig? It kinda looks like regular fasteners. I have problems with plastic fasteners, I tend to snap things easily. What's the degree of difficulty on the mechanics (the painting I OK with).


Here is how I got mine off...no fasteners were harmed or broken in this project:

To remove the center grille (between the headlights) you will need:
-Needle-nose pliers
-Long flathead Screwdriver
-Flashlight (optional)

To remove CENTER GRILLE:
1. There are 9 plastic fasteners that hold the grille in place (4 along the top, 1center by horn a few inches lower, and 4 along the bottom from left to right. All fasteners can be removed by at least one of the following methods (A or B):

A. Use needle nose pliers and squeeze the arrowhead while tugging on that section to get it to disengage from the metal bracket;

B. OR by inserting flathead into notch and turning fastener 45 degrees to line up square with square hole. Tug to release when fastener is aligned properly. The lower ones can be disengaged by using a long (10" shaft flathead or longer) to insert in the gap between lower grille and upper bumper. Use a light to see better.

2. IMPORTANT: You may find it easier to get to some fasteners by going underneath the front end and reaching towards fastener with needle-nose pliers. TO DO THIS, YOU WILL NEED TO REMOVE THE LOWER PLASTIC BRUSH GUARD.

To remove LOWER PLASTIC BRUSH GUARD:
1. You will need a Torx-20 tool for top 3 fasteners and a medium phillips to remove center bracket upper fastener from underneath the plastic brush guard.
2. A panel-popper may assist you in removing these fasteners if the threads do not catch by inserting it under the lip between fastener base and brush guard plastic. this will apply pressure so that the fastener's threads catch and start to unscrew properly.

To remove HEADLIGHTS:
1. Once you got the center grille off, the headlights can be removed using a 10mm socket to remove 2bolts per headlight. One bolt is located at top front end of fender and the other one is underneath the headlight. Be sure to remove the parking light and main headlight plugs. A small flathead (or strong fingers) may help you disengage the plug locks.

I will be doing a write-up soon in the How-to section. Hope this helps.

dude awsome job.

I like your rack!!

Wow what a difference!! Great job man!!!

Looks great Drake. I'd like to do mine also and paint all the gray to black. But I'm a little concerned about how it would hold up.
2445 views, damn!

Yeah this is an old thread that got dug up from the depths. hahaha The good ol' Windrock mud and Alabama sandstone has blasted a lot of it off on the rear valances but the fairing still looks brand new and the front bumper is holding up well. I've been wanting to redo some of it but now I've got a lot of other stuff I've got to work on that's taking precedent. Namely my knock sensor. I feel naked without my supercharger! hahaha

Bringing back an older thread, but Drake I just sent you a PM but in case anyone else can help me out; I just bought the Duplicolor Bumper Coating in Medium Silver and I wanted to know if that was a close match for the plastic headlight bezel to replicate the silver finish that the supercharged model had.

I believe the Duplicolor color was called Charcoal Gray Metallic. I got it from autozone I think. I will confirm the color on teh spray can when I get home.

See my album on my SE S/C silver Ice headlight bezel restoration.
http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/album.php?albumid=203

The top row of pics are the finished results. It is virtually the same as stock color. Don't forget to add a clear coat over your color to protect it. And to answer questions about the durability of the paint, I have been closely analyzing it throughout the summer here in Vegas for signs of fading or thinning but the bezles look just like the day I repainted them. Seriously.

lovin' it man! just bought mine, 02 Supercharged, and the rear bumper had some imprints from previous bumper stickers, and to be brutally honest, it's NOT pretty. now, my question is, should I paint it, or what?

Wats up drake, I'm new 2 the forum, must say the job looks awesome......I to did the same to my 00 x.. I also painted the whole roof rack black with the same bumper coat. Question, does the front bumper of an 02 fit a 00 x, I wana change the bumper but don't know if it fits....I like the fog, & headlights of th 02..

Wats up drake, I'm new 2 the forum, must say the job looks awesome......I to did the same to my 00 x.. I also painted the whole roof rack black with the same bumper coat. Question, does the front bumper of an 02 fit a 00 x, I wana change the bumper but don't know if it fits....I like the fog, & headlights of th 02..

It can be done, but you have to change a lot. I know you have to change out the hood as well along with the bumper and I believe there are some more stuff to change out. A few people have done it on here. I'm sure more people will chime in about it.

-Robby

Looks great. Mine is the same color, so your is a perfect example of what it will look like. Thx.

Drake ~ looks good bro .... im up to do my bumpers pretty soon also but might try to hurculine it though.

Followed your advice and did my wife's '00 X with Krylon Fusion satin black. It looks great. Even our friends thought it wasn't my wife's X. They said that it looked too new. I ended up using 4 1/2 cans. I did quite a number of coats. After getting a good base coat down, the tricky part is putting it on thick enough so it has good, even coverage but without it running. I did the grille first and thought it looked good with 4 coats, but in direct sunlight, it looked splotchy cuz I must have moved the spray can too fast. I took the trim over the fenders off and sprayed them on the side with my grille. I masked everything else off and had at it. The front end reminds me of a gorilla face now.
I know the rubber part on top of the rear bumper is going to get scratched up with loading stuff into the X. I'll have to get some sort of heavy duty stuff for that. Maybe a quart of that Herculiner stuff.
Thanks for the DIY. It really helped.
BTW, Krylon recommends using an ammonia based cleaner for prepping the surface. I tried some old bug & tar stuff and it left a residue (maybe it was too old). I did use rubbing alcohol to get any plastic dressing residual off of the surfaces to be painted. Then I let it dry for at least half an hour. I don't think there was much plastic dressing left on there anyway, the plastic was pretty whitish-gray.

Glad my thread helped out Dr. In hindsight I should have done more coats as well but the conditions at the time (30mph winds) was really affecting the painting so I called it after just two coats. It's still holding up really well though.

Looks like freshly Armour-Alled black trim (even though I don't use that crap)
Here's a few of pics:

Looks good! Nice job!

I'm getting ready to do the same. I was wondering how this has held up, You posted it in 08...How has wear & tear been?

His still looks good..Seen it a couple months ago.. and will see it next saturday :)

Nice X man and not sure if someone mentioned it but from the op you have a gap between the grill and the bumper

looks sweet

Man this thread came back from the dead...just like your avatar drake...that thing is scurrry.