As we move closer to the completion of our "Project Altima," it's time to turn the Nissan's plain maroon exterior into a candy coated work art. If you're a regular LRE reader you will recall the beautiful renderings of the finished car, drawn by Hot Wheels designer Eric Tscherne, which appeared in the June/July '03 issue. Well, we decided that since our name and format changed we would also change the graphic design somewhat--and add the Edge logo--while keeping the original color scheme.
Picking the right team of talent to handle the paint and graphics, custom window tint and murals was no easy task since Southern California is blessed with an almost endless supply of automotive artisans. However, we came up with our choices and, with renderings in hand, contacted them. To our delight, everyone we wanted to work with was down for it, so we were all set.
Of course, we knew that for the car to really look tight, we also needed the right materials. So, we asked our artists what they preferred. First, paint pro Jeff Mersey of Merzees Paint & Body (in Santa Fe Springs, California) said that he preferred 3M prep materials and House of Kolor paint. "I've used both product lines for 20 years and they are the best," Jeff noted. Jeff would have Kent Garcia stripe his stylized graphics for the finishing touch.
As for our mobile muralist, "The Sick S," he was recently introduced to Auto Air Colors waterborne paint, so he wanted to use their products. Erick Ramirez of Xtreme Tint (in Whittier, California) used Solar Gard brand window film because it is strong and easy to work with for the intricate window graphics. Of course, the Stillen ground effects kit was already on the car, but Jeff would be adding a factory rear wing and a Trenz billet grille (supplied by SFXRacing.com) to complete the exterior mods.
Follow the photos as we show you some important points of the paint prep and finish processes, plus window tinting procedures. We've also included paint and supplies lists if you'd like to try it yourself. E
 |  Tasty airbrushed murals on...  Tasty airbrushed murals on the front and rear by "The Sick S" accent the Stillen air dam vents and showcase the rear side skirts nicely. |  The Edge logo adorns the hood...  The Edge logo adorns the hood for all to see. |
 |  Stylized flame graphics serve...  Stylized flame graphics serve to separate the tangerine from the silver. Then Xtreme Tint created multicolored window graphics to match the graphics. |  No paint job is any better...  No paint job is any better than the prep. That means using the best supplies and materials. Jeff Mersey uses and recommends quality 3M Automotive prep materials. |
 Since we were changing the...  Since we were changing the body color entirely, the first step in prep was to remove the hood, trunk and front and rear bumper covers, prep all of the sheet metal and mask off the outside of the car. |  Before the body was masked...  Before the body was masked each panel was sanded with a DA and 400-grit paper to remove the clear coat. |  |
 As you can see the clear is...  As you can see the clear is gone. Next, 600-grit paper was used to further prep the surface for primer. |  |  Then the fender was masked...  Then the fender was masked off as shown. |
 The inside of the doors were...  The inside of the doors were masked off as well since the door edges and jambs would also be painted silver. |  Red Scotch Brite pads were...  Red Scotch Brite pads were used to "scuff" the surface of the door edges and jambs because it conforms to the contours better than sandpaper. |  Here's a good tip: Keep all...  Here's a good tip: Keep all removed nuts, bolts and hardware in a plastic can with a lid. |
 With the car properly prepped,...  With the car properly prepped, the House of Kolor primer and paint could be applied. |  After the silver epoxy basecoat...  After the silver epoxy basecoat was applied, Jeff laid out the flame graphics and transferred them to the car. Then the flames were masked off and paint job was done. We don't have the space to show you those steps here. |  The paint needed to "cure"...  The paint needed to "cure" for 24 hours before clearing and color sanding, so we took the car to Extreme Tint where Erick created the custom flamed window tint, beginning by drawing the design on a piece of Solar Gard film laid on the window. |
 |  Then he cut out the design...  Then he cut out the design out with a razor knife and peeled away the excess. |  Here's how the basic design...  Here's how the basic design looked on the gray film. |
 Next a piece of vinyl backing...  Next a piece of vinyl backing was applied to the film and the excess removed. |  After wetting the window with...  After wetting the window with a soapy solution the film was applied to the inside of the glass. |  A piece of colored film was...  A piece of colored film was cut and applied to the window and the water and air bubbles were worked out with a squeegee. |
 After all the film was applied,...  After all the film was applied, assistant Alex Gallardo dried the film and the glass with a soft terry towel. |  Back at Merzees, a Trenz billet...  Back at Merzees, a Trenz billet grille was installed by simply slipping the bottom tabs into the grooves and attaching the top of the grille with the OE clips. |  For a touch of class, Jeff...  For a touch of class, Jeff mounted a 350Z logo badge in the middle of the grille. |
 |  |  "The Sick S" airbrush artist...  "The Sick S" airbrush artist added some way cool murals to the Nissan front and rear using waterborne Auto Air Colors non-toxic paint. |
 |  After Kent Garcia pinstriped...  After Kent Garcia pinstriped the graphics, Jeff cleared the car and color sanded it using a water-soaked towel and 1000-, 1500- and 2000-grit wet sandpaper. |  A "DA" can be used for the...  A "DA" can be used for the wet sanding as well. |
 The final step was to buff...  The final step was to buff the car using the 3M Perfect-It III system and an orbital buffer with a special foam pad instead of wool to virtually eliminate swirl marks. |  Wherever we go our Altima's...  Wherever we go our Altima's fresh new House of Kolor candy tangerine and silver paint job by Jeff Mersey turns heads and elicits "thumbs ups!" | |
HOUSE OF KOLOR SUPPLIES
·1 Gal. - Epoxy Primer KP-2
·3 Qt. - KO KO Seal
·2 Gal. - KBC-8 Tangerine
·2 Qt. - UK-8 Tangerine Concentrate
·2 Gal. - BC-02 Silver
·1 Gal. - FBC-04 Stratto Blue
·2 Gal. - RU-311 Reducer
·2 Gal. - RU-312 Reducer
·1 Gal. - FBC-09 Planet Green
·2 Qt. - SG-100
·3 Gal. - UFC-80 Komply Clear II
·1 Pt. - KE-7D Krater Eliminator
·3 Gal. - KU-800 Catalyst
3M SUPPLIES
·1 Package - 3/4-inch tape
·1 Package - 1 1/2-inch tape
·1 Package - 1/8-inch tape
·1 Roll - 6-inch white masking paper
·1 Roll - 18-inch white masking paper
·1 Roll - 36-inch white masking paper
·1 Package - Part # 7447 - red Scotch Brite
·1 Package - Part # 7448 - gray Scotch Brite
·1 Package - 400 DA paper
·1 Package - 600 wet 9x11-inch sandpaper
·1 Package - 800 wet 9x11-inch sandpaper
·1 Package - 1000 wet sandpaper
·1 Package - 1500 wet sandpaper
·1 Package - 2000 wet sandpaper
·1 Package - 2500 wet sandpaper
·1 Package - 3M general-purpose spray adhesive remover
·1 Package - 3M 1/2-inch double-sided tape
·1 box - 3M Perfect It III compound system
·3 Qts. - Part # 5936
·3 Qts. - Part # 5937
·1 Qt. - Part # 5996 foam pad glaze
·1 Box - Part # 5725 polish foam pads
·1 Box - Part # 5723 compound pads