Cosmetic Parts

Okay so im a teenager working.. 30 hours a week or so. I just recently accrued a 3000GT.

It needs a new hood. And the body kit painted.

Would I be able to paint the Body Kit myself? Does it need a lot of skill? Being theres no real.. parts to tape off etc.?

And for hoods, Anyone know any great deals?

The problem with the hood is shipping. You're really going to want to find one local. I would call any salvage/junk yards in your area to start. You can always check the 3Si forums for sale section. Your other option is to buy an after market hood.

As for painting it yourself. Depending on the color of your car it might be very hard to match the paint with what you can find in the rattle cans at your local parts store. Besides, painting is a very difficult and time consuming thing to do if you want it to look right. You need to have the painted surface roughed up and clean so that the paint will adhere. You need to spray about six inches from the part in quick even sweeps to prevent splotching. And then you need to clear coat it when you're all done. You also need to let it dry in between coats and then you need to let it cure for at least 48 hours because the paint will still be soft. If you really wanted to make it look nice you would have to wet sand at least once in the middle of the entire process. And keep in mind that a body shop has much better paint than you can buy and most any places and much better equipment. This all ensures it will look good and last a long time.

The problem with the hood is shipping. You're really going to want to find one local. I would call any salvage/junk yards in your area to start. You can always check the 3Si forums for sale section. Your other option is to buy an after market hood.

As for painting it yourself. Depending on the color of your car it might be very hard to match the paint with what you can find in the rattle cans at your local parts store. Besides, painting is a very difficult and time consuming thing to do if you want it to look right. You need to have the painted surface roughed up and clean so that the paint will adhere. You need to spray about six inches from the part in quick even sweeps to prevent splotching. And then you need to clear coat it when you're all done. You also need to let it dry in between coats and then you need to let it cure for at least 48 hours because the paint will still be soft. If you really wanted to make it look nice you would have to wet sand at least once in the middle of the entire process. And keep in mind that a body shop has much better paint than you can buy and most any places and much better equipment. This all ensures it will look good and last a long time.


It's a black 3000gt...

Ya I think I just might keep the body kit primered black till I get the money for a body shop. They're so damn expensive though.

well...at lest your color's easy to match lol. unfortunately, black shows every imperfection.

well...at lest your color's easy to match lol. unfortunately, black shows every imperfection.

Yeah heh, Hopefully Me and my father will do a good paint job :).

He's done large machinery before like CAT's and such.

Sooooo one of the lenses on the Drivers side is cracked...

I was told its 250$ per light.. is this true? Or am I able to just buy a new glass lense?

If you buy it from the dealer, yes. Head over to 3Si and see if someone is selling a lens. I assure you won't pay that much. That or there is always eBay.

250 is a good price for them used, new they list at 520-530 per headlight.

what year/model 3S do you have?

i know of a local Dallas junkyard, to which i've visited several times, that has a 3000 and a stealth. i asked once how much for the headlights, and the guy told me 75 each. i could work it out to just under 100 shipped (no profit for me, simply wanna make sure its packaged well) if you can't find one for a decent price elsewhere.

but as previously stated, 250 used generally a good price. you have to get lucky or bargain to find cheaper prices.

what year/model 3S do you have?

i know of a local Dallas junkyard, to which i've visited several times, that has a 3000 and a stealth. i asked once how much for the headlights, and the guy told me 75 each. i could work it out to just under 100 shipped (no profit for me, simply wanna make sure its packaged well) if you can't find one for a decent price elsewhere.

but as previously stated, 250 used generally a good price. you have to get lucky or bargain to find cheaper prices.

Its a 2nd gen. (94)