5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

so how's the paint and glass holding up on the 2002s???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 27, 2002 | 10:55 PM
  #1  
serin's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,896
so how's the paint and glass holding up on the 2002s???

just wondering how these sore spots were holding up on the 2k2s. i hope you guys are faring better than the rest of us. i figure it's been long enough now to know...
besides, if it is an improvement, then i'll give nissan the benefit of the doubt and assume that they're listening to customer concerns.
Old Mar 27, 2002 | 10:59 PM
  #2  
KTM's Avatar
KTM
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 140
Re: so how's the paint and glass holding up on the 2002s???

Originally posted by serin
just wondering how these sore spots were holding up on the 2k2s. i hope you guys are faring better than the rest of us. i figure it's been long enough now to know..
500 miles & 2 weeks, very careful to keep good distance behind other cars, never behind big rigs, and have two big chips on the hood, and the plastic headlight covering has about a dozen pock marks in it. So all in all, not good.
Old Mar 27, 2002 | 11:13 PM
  #3  
emax02's Avatar
Supporting Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,162
Pretty good for me but I have a clear bra I do however have 2 nicks in my left fender, a sand truk blasted rocks/sand onto me at a combined speed of about 100 MPH, theres not much any kind of paint could do there.

BTW I have 5600 Miles.
Old Mar 27, 2002 | 11:36 PM
  #4  
KTM's Avatar
KTM
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 140
Originally posted by emax95
Pretty good for me but I have a clear bra I do however have 2 nicks in my left fender, a sand truk blasted rocks/sand onto me at a combined speed of about 100 MPH, theres not much any kind of paint could do there.

BTW I have 5600 Miles.
Did you get the covers for the headlights also? or just hood and bumper?
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 01:00 AM
  #5  
Patrick O'Day's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29
Paint chips on my 2002 very easy. I have a dodge Dakota with 5 times the miles and alot of it off road. Not one paint chip on it. The maxima has dozens. Worst paint I have ever seen on a car. When it gets bad enough I'll get a custom paint job.
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 02:21 AM
  #6  
Aggie Jurist's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 58
Not worth a damn. I have 10.5 k on my Merlot GLE and I have chis EVERYWHERE. Car was hit by a metal sign in a parking lot, so it's getting a new paint job next week. Here's hoping the body shop does a better job than the factory. After paint cures, I'm buying a clear bra dammit!

Trey
02 GLE
Merlot/Tan
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 05:38 AM
  #7  
mattattax's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,575
lots of chips here--when I tell someone they say "I don't see but a couple" --I'm wishing I got the clear bra now
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 06:35 AM
  #8  
soundmike's Avatar
Very sound, Mike
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,011
From: H-Town
I had a couple of chips in the hood and sides.

However, for some reason the paint doesn't chip as easily now as it did when i first got it.

Btw, i also have a Carflector up front which saved me from a possible glass cracking/breakage when a good sized rock just came flying at me on the highway at around 80mph. I literally saw the rock bounce of the Carflector and whiz by the top of the roof.
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 06:50 AM
  #9  
NOLA's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 10
What is this clear bra yall are talking about? Is it one of those spray on things?? What brand is it and how much does that cost??

Thanks
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 06:51 AM
  #10  
mattattax's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,575
Originally posted by soundmike
Btw, i also have a Carflector up front
dang, I meant to take a look at it while I was there--my friend really had to go so I didn't have much time anyways--still trying to switch over to the basslink though
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 07:07 AM
  #11  
soundmike's Avatar
Very sound, Mike
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,011
From: H-Town
we could prob'ly meet up again sometime? john (jjs) also wants to see the FSTB i got on ebay so perhaps we can all have our mini-meet of sorts.

if i get the day off tomorrow m probably gonna meet up with Jeff (jefferdy1) as well to have our springs installed at hyper racing.

btw, i saw your post on the amps/subs. i might have a buyer, she's not sure yet though.

Originally posted by mattattax


dang, I meant to take a look at it while I was there--my friend really had to go so I didn't have much time anyways--still trying to switch over to the basslink though
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 07:10 AM
  #12  
GregP's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 387
1000 miles and not a single chip. Advice to people who live on Long Island is STAY OFF THE L.I.E. and your car will last.

Also it helps to keep a crap car around and drive it in bad weather.
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 07:13 AM
  #13  
Jaws's Avatar
Donating Maxima.org Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 787
Originally posted by NOLA
What is this clear bra yall are talking about? Is it one of those spray on things?? What brand is it and how much does that cost??

Thanks
It might mean different things to different people, but usually they are refering to 3M protectant film that is applied to leading hood edge and the front bumper. It is better than a traditional bra in that you never have to remove it to wash the car, it doesn't flutter at high speeds and it looks better. It may not be as effective as a bra; on my previous car a couple of rocks made it right through the film. I'd recommend it.
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 07:17 AM
  #14  
NOLA's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 10
Ok thats what I was thinking it was...I have heard of this before but have not seen it. Can you see that it is on the front of that car or is it totaly clear and smooth?? About how much does that cost?
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 07:22 AM
  #15  
mattattax's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,575
I forgot to mention that my windsheild has a little crack in it. The crack came from dried up dirt off of a big rig. I was surprised it didn't break more b/c the dirt was about the size of a baseball and I was driving at about 80.
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 07:26 AM
  #16  
mattattax's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,575
Originally posted by Jaws


It might mean different things to different people, but usually they are refering to 3M protectant film that is applied to leading hood edge and the front bumper. It is better than a traditional bra in that you never have to remove it to wash the car, it doesn't flutter at high speeds and it looks better. It may not be as effective as a bra; on my previous car a couple of rocks made it right through the film. I'd recommend it.
OT: Do you have a homepage or some pics of your max? I haven't seen many maxes in that color but the ones I have seen looked sweet.
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 07:26 AM
  #17  
soundmike's Avatar
Very sound, Mike
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,011
From: H-Town
You won't see it given it's invisible. However if you look *really* closely you'll see the point where the edges are (usually a feet or so from the front of the hood)

Depending on the coverage area it will cost you anywhere from $300 upwards.

I got quoted for:

a) hood (24" coverage)
b) bumper
c) side mirrors
d) front side fenders

$450+tax installed.

They also quoted me a full-body coverage for twice that amount. Crazy idea? Perhaps. But it does make a bit of sense. Cleaning plastic laminate (as i'd call it) is sure easier than waxing/scrubbing and polishing the actual body/paint.

Check out Emax95's ride. I'll bet you a Donating Member status here at the Org if you can visibly see from a good distance where the clear bra is.


Originally posted by NOLA
Ok thats what I was thinking it was...I have heard of this before but have not seen it. Can you see that it is on the front of that car or is it totaly clear and smooth?? About how much does that cost?
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 07:30 AM
  #18  
NOLA's Avatar
Newbie - Just Registered
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 10
Ok they have something here in New Orleans that is called "auto teflon" I am guessig that is the same thing as the clear bra over the whole car? So do you have to wax the clear bra as well or it never needs wax and will never wear off??

Thanks for the info
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 08:25 AM
  #19  
MILANO
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
same old ****ty paint
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 11:47 AM
  #20  
02MaXiMa_GLE's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,003
I keep a LONG distance between cars & trucks... but still have dem damn chips! Not many, but I only have 4K mi. I'm sure Nissan uses a patented "fengerpainting" technique! Damn A-holes!

G
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 12:13 PM
  #21  
Newman's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,288
1500 miles and a handful of fairly large chips on the hood. glass is fine.
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 12:58 PM
  #22  
2K255HP's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 196
I have the clear bra on my hood mirrors and front bumper
washing the car reveled that i have many paint chips on the rear door opening just above the side skirts up along there probably like 8-10 chips waiting for my touch up paint to come in
other then that no other problems for now
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 03:11 PM
  #23  
Jaws's Avatar
Donating Maxima.org Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 787
Originally posted by mattattax


OT: Do you have a homepage or some pics of your max? I haven't seen many maxes in that color but the ones I have seen looked sweet.
I just got the car on Tuesday, so nothing yet. Nissan Canada's website shows the colour www.nissan.ca . As soon as I get tint, Eibachs and clear markers I'll post some pics. Take care.
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 03:39 PM
  #24  
20 MAXIMA 02's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 379
CHIPS/CRACKS

pushing 5900 miles on my 2k2 and i have a dozen chips on my front bumper, 2 pot marks on my passenger side front head light, 1 crack on my driverside front head light, 1 HUGE 1 cubic centimeter sized chip on my hood ... looked like a rock took a bite outa my paint. I feel nissan uses weak paint and doesnt bake it on the car... also, i feel that the 2k2 headlight plastic is very thin and not dent resistant.. my previous 92 5sp stanza xe didnt have pot mark on its headlights... quality has gone downhill
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 03:40 PM
  #25  
akrus's Avatar
Donating Maxima.org Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 847
Originally posted by NOLA
What is this clear bra yall are talking about? Is it one of those spray on things?? What brand is it and how much does that cost??

Thanks
I've had the Stoneguard version of the clear bra on my black 2k2 SE for about 4 months and 17,000kms. It's been great having it on the car as the only chips I have now are a couple just above where the protector ends. Check out the following thread:

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....threadid=80395 for some discussion.

Also goto http://www3.sympatico.ca/akrusvar/StoneGuard/ to see some pics of when it was first installed. The bubbles that you can see under the film are completely gone now. I'll try to get some pics over the weekend to give you an idea of what it's like now.

Another thing about this stuff is that my friend (service manager for Lincoln) has told me that he's seen the stuff peeled off after a couple years by reheating it and carefully pulling it off. All without damaging the paint.

Albert
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 09:06 PM
  #26  
Audtatious's Avatar
Bandwagon Lover
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,023
Re: CHIPS/CRACKS

Originally posted by 20 MAXIMA 02
pushing 5900 miles on my 2k2 and i have a dozen chips on my front bumper, 2 pot marks on my passenger side front head light, 1 crack on my driverside front head light, 1 HUGE 1 cubic centimeter sized chip on my hood ... looked like a rock took a bite outa my paint. I feel nissan uses weak paint and doesnt bake it on the car... also, i feel that the 2k2 headlight plastic is very thin and not dent resistant.. my previous 92 5sp stanza xe didnt have pot mark on its headlights... quality has gone downhill
3100 miles to date. I have around 10 chips on the hood/fenders and lots of marks on the bumper. No problems with the glass yet. What I have seen of the chips on the hood is that the paint will flake off around the initial impact point, making it a bigger chip than it should have been....er...should NOT have been....

Time to raise the roof with my Nissan dealer. Won't help, but, won't hurt either.
Old Mar 28, 2002 | 11:59 PM
  #27  
cwerdna's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 355
got clear bra after a couple chips

I have about 2300 miles now and had quite a few chips on the front of the hood (maybe 7 or 8). I'd say the paint chips real easily... So I got a clear bra installed on the hood, front bumper, and mirrors recently. I haven't noticed anymore now. Glass is fine.

(I don't recall many paint chips on my old car, a 91 Camry V6 w/91.5k miles.)
Old Mar 29, 2002 | 12:20 AM
  #28  
AznWontonboy's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,628
Everyone complain about paint chips.. but on my Icelandic pearl, I dont see many chips.. a few, but not as many as people say. Must be a white thing.
Old Mar 29, 2002 | 07:06 AM
  #29  
lcf's Avatar
lcf
Senior Member
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,583
i have the nissan bra on my 2000 se. no chips except one. huge one. right next to the left foglamp. 1" and i wouldve had a shattered lamp.

*whew*

Old Mar 29, 2002 | 07:48 AM
  #30  
rerunn's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 103
Try a hood deflector

I racked up quite a few hood chips in the first couple months I had the car. I then installed the front hood deflector and it DRASTICALLY improved the chipping on the top of the hood. The only downside is that it seems to have increased the hood flutter a bit at high speeds. Hopefully the new tsb for the hood will fix this.

Of course, this is only good if you like the way the deflector looks -- I do.
Old Mar 29, 2002 | 12:41 PM
  #31  
mikemmcd's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 51
I have had my 2K2 GLE grey lustre for 5 months now. I just washed and waxed it today.
Found a few tiny chips mostly on the back bumper and on the wheel wells. She still looks like new
after 5600+ miles
Old Mar 29, 2002 | 01:06 PM
  #32  
SeOh2mAx's Avatar
Cant..leave..the..ORG!!
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 758
Over 12,000 miles on my majestic blue and the hood looks speckled at times so many chips. have one chip on the front right fender, one on the trunk lip from some shmuck hitting it with something and one on the drivers side front door from someone banging into it. looks like sometime this summer I'm going to be painting the hood and getting the clear bra!! as for the rest some touch up paint should do them good once it gets nice for awhile and I got the time!!!
Old Apr 28, 2002 | 09:51 AM
  #33  
ACMAX1995's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 47
Originally posted by emax95
Pretty good for me but I have a clear bra I do however have 2 nicks in my left fender, a sand truk blasted rocks/sand onto me at a combined speed of about 100 MPH, theres not much any kind of paint could do there.

BTW I have 5600 Miles.
hOW MUCH DID YOU PAY FOR THE CLEAR BRA - HOOD LIGHTS & BUMPER ? i JUST BOUGHT A 2K2 MAX ..I KNOW THE CLEAR BRA IS THE WAY TO GO
Old Apr 28, 2002 | 11:07 AM
  #34  
Stereodude's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,617
From: Detroit Metro Area
Originally posted by Patrick O'Day
Paint chips on my 2002 very easy. I have a dodge Dakota with 5 times the miles and alot of it off road. Not one paint chip on it. The maxima has dozens. Worst paint I have ever seen on a car. When it gets bad enough I'll get a custom paint job.
Ditto, my car has more chips/scratches at 3k miles than my Chevy Lumina had at 75k. I figure I'll keep driving it and when it gets bad enough I'll get it repainted correctly.

Stereodude
Old Apr 28, 2002 | 12:19 PM
  #35  
Mike S.'s Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,046
you guys may flame me, but my moms 98 Altima SE (American Built) had virtualy NO PAINT CHIPS after her 3 year lease. It had around 42K when we finsihed with it. AND the hood on the car bent down and was part of the grille. That part of the hood actually pointed down to the ground and would be in direct contact with rocks. NO CHIPS, and yes she drives fast and many many highway trips.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
REDinLV
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
5
Aug 15, 2024 12:30 AM
litch
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
123
Jan 4, 2024 07:01 PM
mclasser
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
22
Nov 12, 2020 01:58 PM
BPuff57
Advanced Suspension, Chassis, and Braking
33
Apr 16, 2020 05:15 AM
09maxshawn11
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
5
Sep 30, 2015 10:28 AM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:49 AM.