HOW TO-herculine your X

[soccerbrace]

Alright my friends! So I decided to herculine my X. There were a few reasons for that, One of them was aesthetics which I am very pleased about. Another is because When wheeling, there is a lot of bramble and tight trails around where I have gone which have left me quite scratched up. I decided to not take any more chances with my paint and so I did this. Thanks to Kyle (Punkrockdrummerx) and other unknown X owners for giving me this idea.

First off, here is the inventory:

This is the Herculiner kit. ($90 - $20 mail in rebate=$70) It comes with the following stuff:
-1 gallon can of Herculiner
-scuff pad
-2 painting pads
-2" paint brush
-1 handle/roller

I recommend buying some Acetone ($5-6 home depot, any auto store)


And some masking tape($3-$4 home depot, paint section)



I also recommend buying one more roller (without a pad)($1.50 home depot,paint section)

I also recommend picking up a paint stirring stick (free-paint store)

I also recommend buying some double sided tape. The big one for outdoor use. ($15 home depot, paint section)

I also recommend buying a razor blade (with holder) ($1.50-target)

I did not buy a paint scraper but I wish I had to get off the old double sided taped holding the molding on.

Also recommended is to wear a long sleeve shirt and some LATEX gloves (for the acetone.)


So, my first step was to tape UNDERNEATH the molding. Everyone can pick a different spot, I just chose there. By the way, my fenders are off for a different project I have yet to unveil.


I then removed the molding (very carefully)and placed tape right above the tape that I just placed, so that I have 2 pieces of tape going horizontally on top of each other. I did this so that I could be sure that the Herculiner would fit right underneath the molding when it went back on. I allowed for just a little bit of room because the molding was going to go back on anyway. but still, less than a millimeter.


I also removed the rear wheel molding (Phillip's screwdriver) and the NISSAN hood emblem.


Bottom piece of tape removed


I also went along the rear door sill


and taped within the door jam


And also my hood

[soccerbrace]

With all of the tape on there, it was time to get busy. I took the scuff pad to everything that I was going to herculine. Including my molding.


I taped off one side at a time and scuffed one side at a time. I am glad that I did it that way because I always stayed busy. I went from drivers side, then passenger side, then molding, then the hood. Then by the time I was done with the first coat of the hood, it was time to go back to the driver's side again. Brilliant I am!!

After each individual section was taped and scuffed, I took a paper towel and some acetone and cleaned off each section to free each scuffed surface of any residue.


Stir the Herculiner


Dip the roller


I found it easiest to roll the roller using the stir stick that way you keep your hands out of the mix.

Start rolling! I found it is easiest (although this pic shows otherwise) to start at the tap and go DIRECTLY down. Try not to go down, and then up 4"over. This will be your first coat.


Try dabbing along the door sill and in the tough spots with the paint brush. I chose to roll the doors completely and then open them after. When they were open, I took the roller and rolled the corners so that when the doors are closed, you could not see any paint, just herculiner.

I also herculined my molding(2 coats) These take the longest to dry.


after the first coat,




Although I am very pleased with the results, if I were going to do this again, I would remove the tape about 15-20 minutes after applying the first coat, and then RE-APPLY the tape after it hardens! Yes, I would tape 2x if I were going to do it again!

Finished product(s)

Rear door jam


Hood

Before



After

This double sided tape is tricky, the trick is to get as much of it covered without letting any of it show on the out side. Cut the old stuff off with a paint scraper/razor blade. Cut the new stuff with a scissors (can be a little messy)







side view



Molding back in place



So...Lessons learned

-Have long sleeve shirt
-have latex gloves
-give yourself time
-pull the tape off after the first coat (about 15-20 minutes like I said)
-Have A LOT of double sided tape
-Buy a paint scraper
-have more than one razor blade
-have 2 cans of acetone

Let me know if you have any questions!-James

P.S.-if this **** is on your hands, you are not getting laid!

[bungyfish]

Wow, great write up.
I like the way you did the hood. Nice.
(sorry to hear about your impending "dry spell")

[soccerbrace]

D

Originally Posted by bungyfish

Wow, great write up.
I like the way you did the hood. Nice.
(sorry to hear about your impending "dry spell")

Dry spell? This is true but let's leave sex outta this

Whatchew talkin bout willis?

Originally Posted by soccerbrace

D
Dry spell? This is true but let's leave sex outta this

Whatchew talkin bout willis?

Ahhhh, you ARE talking about my sex life. Lol. Well yeah this is an old thread, but that actually IS my current situation and

About to do my entire floor today

[bake]

Wow, I no longer dislike you because of your Spanish thread, cause that is one sick X!!!

[call 911]

Looks good, especially the hood. Let us know how durable it is on the trail.

[soccerbrace]

Originally Posted by call 911

Looks good, especially the hood. Let us know how durable it is on the trail.

It is VERY good on the trail! I really like it. It stands up to anything I put up against it.

I just did my entire floor and will have pics up soon.

I am going to put a clear coat on my floor so it stays shiny.

The Herc on the sides is flat now so I think I am going to put another coat on soon, but I have to get my X running because my DD just took a doodoo on me on the freeway.

Originally Posted by bake

Wow, I no longer dislike you because of your Spanish thread, cause that is one sick X!!!

Thanks man! I hope you honestly didn't get upset over my intro. It was all in good fun.

[bake]

No, I wasn't upset, just giving people a hard time, but that is a nice looking X.

[soccerbrace]

Originally Posted by bake

No, I wasn't upset, just giving people a hard time, but that is a nice looking X.

Well thank you! I also did my interior today. A few pics