Tony, I just got back from a local detail shop that does caliper painting. Kind of a rough part of town, but the shop is secured by huge gates and a security system. We're discussing painting the calipers right on the car, rather than removing them, and paint not powdercoat (obviously). He said there would be at least two to three hours just prepping the calipers and taping off the car. Then two coats of base and multiple coats of high-temp clear, with the INFINITI decals applied between them, over a two-day process. Seems about right.

Didn't talk to the owner in person yet, just email, but I mentioned the Acura Rio Yellow Pearl to his paint guy... his eyes popped with a big "Yes!" LOL

 

That must have been a great expression on his face! A friend of mine had his calipers painted while on the car as well, from a regular viewing perspective I can't notice any difference. If it takes 2-3 hours to prep it makes me wonder why they wouldn't just take the calipers off though. Have you considered just taking the calipers off yourself and taking them to the shop? Especially if you think the area might be a little sketchy to leave the car for two days.

Regardless, a two day process sounds like they would take their time to do things right. I'm quite excited for you!

 

I couldn't do that in my garage, because one side of the car would always be on the wall, so I'd have to prop the car up in the driveway, stuck on car stands (that I don't own yet.) Then there's the whole brake bleeding process, that I'm not skilled with.

If I go with this shop, I may have them remove the brakes there, since it's a 2-day process. But if the brakes are coming off the car, then maybe I want to have them powdercoated instead... IDK. Still weighing options.

Yeah, it is an exciting idea. Took me two+ years to get some momentum on the mod. And I still may not do it until 2015, because of other plans in the budget.

 

Totally feel ya about the budget/mod planning; I drooled over the forums for 3+ years while I paid off my car and didn't start my major mods until last year.

 

Yeah, I guess I'm just worried that my $$$ exhaust is going to sound weak. I just heard my buddies 370z with 18 inch resonated carbon fibers muffler catback and it sounded decent but it seemed to lack that extra oomph I'm looking for. Maybe the 12 inch resonators will give me that, who knows.

 

I think that extra oomph comes along after you get tuned.

 

I have the 12 inch resonators and, while not obnoxious, mine is fairly loud especially on cold start ups. I noticed some oomph as soon as the RHFCs went one then a little more with the exhaust. According to the butt dyno anyway.

 

Yes, but while power is nice I'm going for sound right now.

 

I know. That's what I meant. Exhaust tone changes on these cars after a tune.

 

You can get nice results w/ paint, durability wouldn't be quite as high but w/ several thick clear coats they should hold up well. Soundmike painted his and IIRC they were still looking as nice as day one and I think they were like 3 years on the car.

Would be nice if you removed the calipers to also paint the rotors, here's a pretty good thread on that
Brake Rotor,Caliper paint.. No more rust - G35Driver

I'm going to do that to my new rotors but probably a flat black w/ a satin clear. They seem to hold up well for years, we'll see

 

For anyone looking for a paddle shifter kit, found this on ebay for $149 shipped.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/08-13-INFINITI-G37-SPORT-OEM-PADDLE-SHIFTER-STEERING-COLUMN-COVER-G37XS-G37S-IPL-/331256446217?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d206c3d09&vxp=mtr

 

Was quoted $500 for painting the calipers. Ouch. That's about $200 higher than I was guessing.

 

Since you don't really drive your car in the winter months that would be a good DIY, Soundmikes came out to about $30
Spray-painted Akebono's - G35Driver

 

Finally got a chance to test fit the mesh grille (thanks again alfredo), wondering what the regulars think. I really like the look even though the project is still incomplete, though the grille itself is pretty tough to get to fit well into the bumper (still working on some tweaks)

Still to do:
1) Get paint-matched (dropping off on Sat.)
2) Buy & mount Fuji emblem (trying to find a larger one)
3) Consider mesh swap (would really like a thicker mesh but there's really not much room to fit it as the thin mesh is already up against that post thing in the bumper at the center of the grille)

 

looks good. some thicker mesh would do it but since you said its already touching that part of the front you might have to keep it that way. i like the emblem-less look too.