350z Rear Strut Brace Di-Noc
350z Rear Strut Brace Di-Noc
Well my rear strut brace was rather scratched and I have seen some great posts from other members with their results... Little did I know what I was letting myself in for.
Hopefully this thread can serve as a guide for those of us slightly apprehensive about all the steps... I could have done with something like this to hold my hand
1) To start with, pull up the rubber seal on each side of the boot near the strut brace. Carefully pop out the 3 plastic trim clips on the part pictured (you can see them when you look under the rubber trim you have just lifted. You don't need to remove this plastic trim totally, just make sure it is loose so that the plastic trim pieces either side of the strut cover can be lifted up (they are clipped so will take a bit of force, it's best if you can get a putty knife in the gap to help the clips come undone).
![[Image: 7e2ecca8.jpg]](http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff235/shad0wca7/7e2ecca8.jpg)
2) One of the trim pieces from either side of the strut cover, removed:
![[Image: f1c75b75.jpg]](http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff235/shad0wca7/f1c75b75.jpg)
3) Be careful pulling the above pieces off or you will end up with below:
![[Image: d41432e5.jpg]](http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff235/shad0wca7/d41432e5.jpg)
Luckily this was fixed with super glue and araldite and careful replacement.... In hindsight, use a putty knife on the clips to hopefully 'relax' them a bit (if that makes sense).
4) Now carefully prise off the trim pieces on the front and rear of the strut brace cover. They don't need to be removed, you just need access to the top.
![[Image: b57ce736.jpg]](http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff235/shad0wca7/b57ce736.jpg)
Lift (there are clips either side, be careful).
5) Here is my original 'you will need':
![[Image: d361fd47.jpg]](http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff235/shad0wca7/d361fd47.jpg)
Discard it. You will need:
- Hairdryer
- Drill with 4-5mm bit
- Glue / sticky back tape (for sticking the Z badge back on)
- Scissors
- Scalpel
- 30cm X 100cm 3M Carbon Fibre Di-Noc (this leaves a fair bit left over, you can get away with 20cm x 60cm but it might be slightly harder)
When you go to remove the 'Z' badge, you need to remove the plastic rivets on the underside of the cover. Whilst the Dremel is one of the best things I have spent money on, using it won't end well. You need to carefully drill the centre of the rivets a couple of mm till you can carefully remove the 'Z'.
6) Here is what happens if you use a Dremel (I thought I had more room to work with.. I didn't)
![[Image: 83ae7471.jpg]](http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff235/shad0wca7/83ae7471.jpg)
All together now...... ****
7) Now, consider I wanted this to take an hour at most, I spent the rest of the day filling, sanding and fixing. The Z emblem still isn't ready but will go on when it is fixed and repainted (probably painted gunmetal)
![[Image: 8db772bf.jpg]](http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff235/shad0wca7/8db772bf.jpg)
Lots more filling, sanding and repairing happened.
8) You may want to measure and cut the Di-Noc to size to fit the brace parts you want to cover or you may want to just swamp the part (this is probably easier). Peel the adhesive backing from the Di-Noc and apply, using a credit card to smooth out the bubbles.
DON'T WORRY if there are still some bubbles / creases. Use the hairdryer to heat the Di-Noc in the creased areas, the creases should disappear or be quite easy to work out now. Heat all the di-noc and work it into the shape - cut/trim where you need to.
9) You'll end up with this:
![[Image: 32ec928f.jpg]](http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff235/shad0wca7/32ec928f.jpg)
I swear that when I was putting the Di-Noc on, it was the most difficult thing in my life.
![[Image: 91454320.jpg]](http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff235/shad0wca7/91454320.jpg)
Borrowed from else where
Well my rear strut brace was rather scratched and I have seen some great posts from other members with their results... Little did I know what I was letting myself in for.
Hopefully this thread can serve as a guide for those of us slightly apprehensive about all the steps... I could have done with something like this to hold my hand
1) To start with, pull up the rubber seal on each side of the boot near the strut brace. Carefully pop out the 3 plastic trim clips on the part pictured (you can see them when you look under the rubber trim you have just lifted. You don't need to remove this plastic trim totally, just make sure it is loose so that the plastic trim pieces either side of the strut cover can be lifted up (they are clipped so will take a bit of force, it's best if you can get a putty knife in the gap to help the clips come undone).
2) One of the trim pieces from either side of the strut cover, removed:
3) Be careful pulling the above pieces off or you will end up with below:
Luckily this was fixed with super glue and araldite and careful replacement.... In hindsight, use a putty knife on the clips to hopefully 'relax' them a bit (if that makes sense).
4) Now carefully prise off the trim pieces on the front and rear of the strut brace cover. They don't need to be removed, you just need access to the top.
Lift (there are clips either side, be careful).
5) Here is my original 'you will need':
Discard it. You will need:
- Hairdryer
- Drill with 4-5mm bit
- Glue / sticky back tape (for sticking the Z badge back on)
- Scissors
- Scalpel
- 30cm X 100cm 3M Carbon Fibre Di-Noc (this leaves a fair bit left over, you can get away with 20cm x 60cm but it might be slightly harder)
When you go to remove the 'Z' badge, you need to remove the plastic rivets on the underside of the cover. Whilst the Dremel is one of the best things I have spent money on, using it won't end well. You need to carefully drill the centre of the rivets a couple of mm till you can carefully remove the 'Z'.
6) Here is what happens if you use a Dremel (I thought I had more room to work with.. I didn't)
All together now...... ****
7) Now, consider I wanted this to take an hour at most, I spent the rest of the day filling, sanding and fixing. The Z emblem still isn't ready but will go on when it is fixed and repainted (probably painted gunmetal)
Lots more filling, sanding and repairing happened.
8) You may want to measure and cut the Di-Noc to size to fit the brace parts you want to cover or you may want to just swamp the part (this is probably easier). Peel the adhesive backing from the Di-Noc and apply, using a credit card to smooth out the bubbles.
DON'T WORRY if there are still some bubbles / creases. Use the hairdryer to heat the Di-Noc in the creased areas, the creases should disappear or be quite easy to work out now. Heat all the di-noc and work it into the shape - cut/trim where you need to.
9) You'll end up with this:
I swear that when I was putting the Di-Noc on, it was the most difficult thing in my life.
![[Image: FB_IMG_1474048273787_zpsnbfq6a3s.jpg]](http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee440/davis5835/Mobile%20Uploads/FB_IMG_1474048273787_zpsnbfq6a3s.jpg)
![[Image: IMG_1426.jpg]](http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h415/groover1986/IMG_1426.jpg)
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] [COLOR="DarkOrchid"]That symbol on the side of my door.. Definition by FirebirdPhil 'Translated it means -
"try to overtake - go on give it a go I dare you......." [/COLOR]
I'm not an Outlaw; I'm a Poutlaw! Purple Supras are the bestest! I love purple .. a lot lot lot
purplewitch
22-11-2018, 03:55 AM #6Gorgeous colour!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] [COLOR="DarkOrchid"]That symbol on the side of my door.. Definition by FirebirdPhil 'Translated it means -
"try to overtake - go on give it a go I dare you......." [/COLOR]
I'm not an Outlaw; I'm a Poutlaw! Purple Supras are the bestest! I love purple .. a lot lot lot
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