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Porsche 928: Paint Modifications

Learn about the various custom paint modifications you can apply on the Porsche, including maintenance costs.

By James Karuga - April 2, 2015

This article applies to the Porsche 928 (1979-1995).

Tired of the stock paint on your Porsche 928? Depending on your tastes and the expectations you have for your car, several aftermarket paint modifications are available that give it a stand-out look. It's important to note that paint modification jobs are subjective and can raise or lower the resale value of your Porsche 928. Also, insurance companies, in case of an accident, may fail to pay for custom paint costs incurred if they were not originally included in the bargain. This article reviews metallic, candy, flat/matte, and vinyl wrap paint modifications. We delve into the professional costs compared to doing it yourself and the skill level needed to apply them.

Paint Modifications

Metallic Paint

DIY Cost – $100 - $200 per quart

Professional Cost – $5,000+

Skill Level – Hard; best applied by an auto professional

Metallic paint is made by adding aluminum to pigmented and non-pigmented paints and topping with a clear coat so that it never loses its luster. When applied on a car, the aluminium particles provide a glitter ranging in brightness, size, and color. If metallic paint is combined with diverse semi and transparent pigments, many color combinations get produced. Besides increasing the car's resale value, ametallic paint job will make your Porsche 928 more resistant to fading from sun rays, scratches, and low-level damage caused by stone chips.

Candy/3 Stage Paint

DIY Cost – $775 (Candy paint kit)

Professional Cost – $6,000+

Skill Level – Moderate; without the kit it's hard to mix

A candy paint job combines clear and reflective base coat paints (metallic) to create a sparkle that can't be recreated by the average auto paints. This paint job is created to make the Porsche 928 appear to change colors as it speeds by. Candy paint job coating needs to be transparent for it to work. But it has low tolerance to the sun's ultra violet (UV) rays, and in five years the candy paint job can fade. However, if blended with clear coats with UV tolerant screener, its vibrancy can last longer. Still, a candy paint job is very expensive and complex for a novice to apply and may require waxing twice a year (extra expenses). The most popular shades for this paint job are red and green.

Flat/Matte Paint

DIY Cost – $100 - $200

Professional Cost – $5,000+

Skill Level – Hard; best done by a professional

Flat/matte paint jobs depart from the conventional glossy paint jobs among most cars. A Porsche 928 with this paint finish gives a visual illusion of roughness but among the glossy car contemporaries. Flat paint jobs can't be polished or waxed as the vehicle will be stained; attempts to correct it leaves ugly, inconsistent marks. Proper cleaning for this paint job includes using a microfiber towel with car wash soap. With time, the elements can take a toll on flat paint and leave ugly scorch marks on your Porsche 928's panel.

Vinyl Wrap

DIY Cost – $100 - $1,000+

Professional Cost – $2,000+

Skill Level – Hard; best done by a professional

With vinyl wrap, you can change the color and finish of your vehicle without painting it. Besides, if you want each panel of the Porsche 928 to have a different color, you can achieve that with a vinyl wrap. Options like carbon fiber, brushed aluminium, chrome, glossy, or matte finishes are available. With vinyl wraps, the original paint finish is shielded from stone chips, scratches, and UV rays. Vinyl wraps last five to eight years.

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