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Here's the options and ideas. I've painted a few cars, and changed the color on a couple, and I do know the work involved. In this case, I'll be prepping much of the work, but the actual painting will be done by a private shop.
The car is the basic black - which I will NOT be keeping if I repaint. So, I guess one can say that a color change is going to happen. Body is in gen good shape, and the only other changes I'll be making is rub strip delete and fill. I was thinking of removing the rear wiper, but not sure on that yet. If I do I might just use a dark bumper plug rather than do body work there.
1) Paint the car using one of the modern metallic charcoal paints with the small multicolor metalflake in the clear coat. Many mfgs have made this recently including Caddy, Nissan, GM, etc. The upside is in this case, it's close to the black and I would not be doing the door jams, under-hood, hatch inside, and just live with the closeness of the exterior being charcoal metallic and black rest of the car.
Benefits are; lower cost, easier. downside is it's still principally a black car, just that it has some sparkle to it(not bass boat kind, this is subdued metallic with a little pearl.
2) Repaint to the 996 ME edition violet chromaflair. This would be similar to above, but rather than a charcoal metallic I would use the violet chromaflair materials found on the Millennium Ed. In this case, I would also repaint the door jams, hatch underside, and hood inside. This requires removal of the hatch and hood, and a lot of taping on the doors, with door card removal. I would also remove the rear quarter windows to do that properly.
The cost would be higher due to the materials. Also slightly higher labor in prepping the hood and hatch for paint inside(not a big job, just a little more work)
3) Repaint to my favorite Cassisrot. Requires same labor as above, I would do the door trim and inside, the only thing that would not get repainted would be the engine bay.
Along with the higher labor here, would also be changing much of the interior to burgundy. There's an interior set avail now for ~$3000 total, requiring a ton of labor to refit. I would be doing the int after the paint is done.
I'm leaning to #2, because I really don't want to just go from black to metallic charcoal, and if I go to Cassisrot, it would require the entire int swap. Not looking forward to that.
If you can see a violet chromaflair in person in the sunlight it is stunning. I would possibly go to cobalt blue, if not the violet chromaflair.
Opinions and ideas are always welcome. Cost is a concern, and since I'm not painting it, the job will devolve to about the same prep labor for me either way. The cheapest option is to just claybar the black, and polish what I have. It'll be a 20 footer if I do that, but I am not a fan of black at all.
I've had a lot of cars painted. The effort to do so is monumental whether you do it yourself or pay to have it done.
You might as well shoot for the moon and get EXACTLY what you want. You'll only need to do it once in your lifetime if done right, so go for the nicest paint. Cassisrot? Do it. You'll be most of the way there, and the color is irrelevant. It's all in the prep anyways. Get the color of your dreams!
This is a very personal preference subject you bring up. And if money was no object I agree with Catorce and Dan, Cassisrot is where you should be if that is what you always wanted. But once you go down that road and put a new color interior in it, you'll have a great looking exterior and nice interior to match. My bet is you'll start realizing that all of the other stuff (engine bits, wheels, electronics, etc.) are suddenly not up to par compared to the paint job and you'll want to make those things nicer too. In the end you will be down the road of a total restoration in order to do that new shiny paint job its due justice. Being the bottom feeder that you are, I don't see you having the constitution for that sort of finical endeavor.
What is your plan for the car? Owning it for a while or a quick flip? If you are selling it, then leaving it black opens up a wider buyer pool and keeps your investment to a minimum. If you are keeping it, then do you plan on daily driving it? If so you'll quickly ding and nick up a new paint job. Again black is more forgiving in that regard. If it is to be a weekend driver then painting it violet makes sense to me. It satisfies a color preference that you like (you clearly have no passion for black or charcoal), and by not needing to change the interior saves money (something you do have passion for).
Either way good luck and I look forward to seeing the results!
Agree with Nate. If you’re keeping it, then the extra cost for Cassisrot and interior replacements will be worth it. However, if selling eventually, keep it cheap and black or black metallic. More buyers. Personally, I would paint it to my fav color and keep it. Petrol blue metallic with cork interior for an S4!
Knowing my, I likely will sell the car in a few years. Doubt I'll keep it for a long time, so good advice on maintaining the larger market later on.
Down to either a charcoal metallic or the violet chromaflair. And as I can have the charcoal job done for a fair bit less, leaning toward that just as a nice driver look, and not the unique but market limiting wild job.
Was considering just doing the whole car with new int, but I don't see it being with me forever. Someone else will enjoy it as black just not me.
Mine is being repainted in November, here in Vegas. My painter only does high end Harleys. This is a favor, and he's also prospecting with the club.
He's using a BMW black, said it's the best black paint out there for depth, and 2 gallons of clear. I'm removing the wing, rear wiper assembly, and the bumpers. He'll be taking out the glass, and whatever else needs to be removed. He said it'll be a month long process.
This kid did my buddies 911 and it looks outrageous!
The price he quoted me is very good, and if it turns out like the 911, he'll get a grand for a tip!
If you aren't decided on a color, a wrap might be an option. In Theory, they can come off for real paint later in life. For sure a wrap is less "picky" about the materials you use for prep. Easier to do doorjambs and such, and a LOT less mess to clean up when you get the car back. It's not for everyone but might be right for you and this car.
Ya know, I think I'm just gonna claybar it, and repaint the bumpers. The two spots I cleaned up so far so good color density, and not too many scratches, but there are some. Meh - live with it, save some painting for the next car.
10-13-2017, 06:27 PM
Opinions on paint color change when repaint
