[m5guy]

I really couldn't think of a better title for this post even though my car is only partially disrobed. Short version of the story: I'm having the entire front of the car from the windshield forward, and the lower side rockers and side skirts refinished and repainted. This will eliminate all the accumulated rock chips that were still noticeable even with touch up paint.

The pictures you see below are of the car going back together. The hood, headlight covers and side pieces were still being color sanded today. What is interesting is how small the side impact bars are inside the doors. I'm glad I stopped by the body shop today to see what the car looked like naked.

The good news is that the freshly painted front fenders have been color blended invisibly into the doors. Likewise, the lower rocker panel just ahead of the rear wheels matches the rear fender above it.

More pics to come as the car is put back together and the clear bra protection is applied.

[barcheta]

Dig those rims.

[tazandjan]

Greg- She is looking good. Sneaky way to get to the door and window controls.

[a1exander]

Greg some more photos of the brake set up please?
Are they 6 or 4 piston calipers and are the discs semi floating or full floating?
Like the wheels looks like they may be 19's?

[Andrew]

Greg, looking forward to seeing the after photos. From your avatar it looks like you have an awesome 355. I'm digging the wheel choice.

[m5guy]

Originally Posted by a1exander

Greg some more photos of the brake set up please?
Are they 6 or 4 piston calipers and are the discs semi floating or full floating?
Like the wheels looks like they may be 19's?

Hi Alexander, they are 4 piston calipers on both the front and rear with semi-floating discs. I did not want a full floating setup because they can be a little noisy on the street. The wheels are 19" on all 4 corners.

Thanks for all the positive comments guys. I should have a lot more pics ready as the car gets put back together and detailed this week. I'll post more over the weekend.

Taz, I don't know a lot about how the window rails are serviced, but I think you are right. Removing the lower rockers looks like the best way to access the window mechanism.

-Greg

[bretm]

Beautiful car. Can't wait to see the rest of the pics. I always love red 3xx models with gold/bronze wheels.

[m5guy]

What started as a desire to respray the front bumper and front fenders turned into a "while you're at it" project. I picked up the car this morning and overall it turned out fantastic. The color matching job that Scott at Hot Rods and Hobbies did was outstanding. The final list of parts refinished and repainted was:

Front bumper
Headlight covers
Hood
Front fenders
Side rocker panels between front and rear wheels (everything below the middle crease)
Bottom side skirts
Mirrors touched up

Then it got clear bra applied and carbon door sills were installed to replace the factory aluminum ones that were starting to bubble up.

Only had time to snap 1 picture as I picked up the car, but I'll grab some better ones when the weather improves in SoCal. Raining tomorrow and next weekend

[anxpert]

Originally Posted by m5guy

What started as a desire to respray the front bumper and front fenders turned into a "while you're at it" project. I picked up the car this morning and overall it turned out fantastic. The color matching job that Scott at Hot Rods and Hobbies did was outstanding. The final list of parts refinished and repainted was:

Front bumper
Headlight covers
Hood
Front fenders
Side rocker panels between front and rear wheels (everything below the middle crease)
Bottom side skirts
Mirrors touched up

Then it got clear bra applied and carbon door sills were installed to replace the factory aluminum ones that were starting to bubble up.

Only had time to snap 1 picture as I picked up the car, but I'll grab some better ones when the weather improves in SoCal. Raining tomorrow and next weekend

Turned out great Greg !

[m5guy]

Originally Posted by anxpert

Turned out great Greg !

Thanks. I was a nervous wreck driving it home on the 405 & 101.

[Sandy Eggo]

Originally Posted by m5guy

What started as a desire to respray the front bumper and front fenders turned into a "while you're at it" project. I picked up the car this morning and overall it turned out fantastic. The color matching job that Scott at Hot Rods and Hobbies did was outstanding. The final list of parts refinished and repainted was:

Front bumper
Headlight covers
Hood
Front fenders
Side rocker panels between front and rear wheels (everything below the middle crease)
Bottom side skirts
Mirrors touched up

Then it got clear bra applied and carbon door sills were installed to replace the factory aluminum ones that were starting to bubble up.

Only had time to snap 1 picture as I picked up the car, but I'll grab some better ones when the weather improves in SoCal. Raining tomorrow and next weekend

Lookin' great, Greg!

I really need to do this to my front clip and hood on the F355 but then I think I'll be afraid to drive it.

[m5guy]

Originally Posted by Sandy Eggo

Lookin' great, Greg!

I really need to do this to my front clip and hood on the F355 but then I think I'll be afraid to drive it.

Thanks Rick. You were the first guy from the forums to actually see this car last year when it was up for consignment sale. I remember you told me "It's a good driver but needs cosmetic attention and a good detail."

I'm almost done now. Just need to have the dash re-covered and then it will be time to put it in the plastic bubble. (Just kidding.)

[a1exander]

Car looks good.
Has a good stance. Did you lower the suspension at all? The 19's are the business.
How is the "feel" on the road? Did you install the 19's or did you buy the car with them on?
What make are the wheel rims?

[m5guy]

Originally Posted by a1exander

Car looks good.
Has a good stance. Did you lower the suspension at all? The 19's are the business.
How is the "feel" on the road? Did you install the 19's or did you buy the car with them on?
What make are the wheel rims?

Hi Alexander, the ride height may have been lowered by one of the previous owners, but it still measures 4" from the ground to the lower rocker which I believe is the factory's minimum ride height spec.

Regarding the 19 wheels, yes I installed them and they ride very comfortably as the total weight of each tire+wheel is within 2-3 pounds of the factory magnesium wheels and BF Goodrich tires that I previously had on. They are made by Yokohama and the brand name is called Advan.

-Greg

[355dreamer]

A beautiful 355. Well done!

[Sandy Eggo]

Originally Posted by m5guy

Thanks Rick. You were the first guy from the forums to actually see this car last year when it was up for consignment sale. I remember you told me "It's a good driver but needs cosmetic attention and a good detail."

I'm almost done now. Just need to have the dash re-covered and then it will be time to put it in the plastic bubble. (Just kidding.)

I really need my dash redone too. Are you staying with leather or thinking about alcantara? I'd love to do the latter. Let me know if you find someone good to redo the dash; maybe we can get a "group buy". =)

[anxpert]

Originally Posted by Sandy Eggo

I really need my dash redone too. Are you staying with leather or thinking about alcantara? I'd love to do the latter. Let me know if you find someone good to redo the dash; maybe we can get a "group buy". =)

Rick, I have a source for Alcantara at wholesale pricing.

I purchased a few yards for my Spider project and the quality seems better than the CS OEM.

The 355 dash is not as challenging as the 360.

I am having a few 360 dashes done locally for our sims, I will enquire on 355 pricing and let you know.

[m5guy]

Originally Posted by Sandy Eggo

I really need my dash redone too. Are you staying with leather or thinking about alcantara? I'd love to do the latter. Let me know if you find someone good to redo the dash; maybe we can get a "group buy". =)

Originally Posted by anxpert

Rick, I have a source for Alcantara at wholesale pricing.

I purchased a few yards for my Spider project and the quality seems better than the CS OEM.

The 355 dash is not as challenging as the 360.

I am having a few 360 dashes done locally for our sims, I will enquire on 355 pricing and let you know.

Hi Guys,

Enrique, thanks for the offer on Alcantara but I would prefer to stay with either leather or a high-grade synthetic leather (aka vinyl?) on mine.

Rick, when Vas bought his car the dash had already been re-covered in synthetic leather. Jim M and Chris D know who did the work and I'm assuming that shop is somewhere in San Diego. I'm going to send them an email and copy you and Enrique. Vas' dash looks really good.

-Greg

[a1exander]

Originally Posted by m5guy

Hi Alexander, the ride height may have been lowered by one of the previous owners, but it still measures 4" from the ground to the lower rocker which I believe is the factory's minimum ride height spec.

Regarding the 19 wheels, yes I installed them and they ride very comfortably as the total weight of each tire+wheel is within 2-3 pounds of the factory magnesium wheels and BF Goodrich tires that I previously had on. They are made by Yokohama and the brand name is called Advan.

-Greg

My car rides at 6" with stock wheels and Pirelly P Zero tyres.

I guess the car looks a lot better lower to the ground.
Given the state of some of our roads I would not be as brave as you to lower another 2" as I am likely to leave a trail of 355 parts behind me.

[Subarubrat]

I love those wheels, anyone know where they can be bought in the US? Google pretty much comes up with Austrailian dealers.

Vivid and Wheel Warehouse has them, FYI