View Poll Results: Black, Arena Red, or?
Black
36
67.92%
Arena Red
13
24.53%
Rust (aka Don't paint, it won't be as good as original!)
4
7.55%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 53. You may not vote on this poll
Respray: stay with basic Black? Or go Arena Red?
05-12-2016, 12:20 AM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Respray: stay with basic Black? Or go Arena Red?
1996 C4, while not many of them were made, it probably wouldn't be considered a rare / sought after collectible. And while I quite like black, it's hardly a rare colour either. At 130K miles, paint is tired and not sure if a thorough compound & polish would get some of the heavier scratches out. In any case there's lots of little road rash chips on hood and front fenders. A ten-footer for sure.
Already had front & rear bumpers resprayed in the last year or two, again because of road chips, but other than that, every panel on the car needs some paint work except maybe the engine lid, sunroof, and passenger door. In addition, the original windshield needed replacement so I've removed it, and also had the rear window pulled to check for rust. Sure enough, there is rust started on rear window frame as well as the front wheel arches - that has to be nipped in the bud!
So it seems a full respray is the way to go, especially since half the the windows are out anyway.
As I moved along this process, it never crossed my mind to consider a change from the original colour, until last weekend. My son returned from university and had brought me a gift of the classic "Kills Bugs Fast" poster (great kid, eh?). I was framing it on Saturday, and admiring the arena red blur in the photo yet again. Suddenly it dawned on me - if I have to repaint anyway, why not get one of my favourite colors ever?
To my surprise, my wife and elder son are dead set against a colour change. Being moneygrubbers, they are convinced a change from the original colour will tank the value of the car. My younger son says just get a wrap, and seems to favour gulf blue, to go with his 917 obsession. I plan to be buried in this car, so I don't really give a rip about what it would sell for anyway.
So, fellow rennlisters, I invite you to weigh in with YOUR viewpoints! Should I stay with basic black (classic, and very slimming, I must admit) or go with Arena Red? Does Arena only look right on Turbos? Is it harder or easier to keep clean & shiny than black? Will my car's value go in the toilet if I don't stay with the original colour? Which colour will make my car go fastest?
In short, should I go with this:
Already had front & rear bumpers resprayed in the last year or two, again because of road chips, but other than that, every panel on the car needs some paint work except maybe the engine lid, sunroof, and passenger door. In addition, the original windshield needed replacement so I've removed it, and also had the rear window pulled to check for rust. Sure enough, there is rust started on rear window frame as well as the front wheel arches - that has to be nipped in the bud!
So it seems a full respray is the way to go, especially since half the the windows are out anyway.
As I moved along this process, it never crossed my mind to consider a change from the original colour, until last weekend. My son returned from university and had brought me a gift of the classic "Kills Bugs Fast" poster (great kid, eh?). I was framing it on Saturday, and admiring the arena red blur in the photo yet again. Suddenly it dawned on me - if I have to repaint anyway, why not get one of my favourite colors ever?
To my surprise, my wife and elder son are dead set against a colour change. Being moneygrubbers, they are convinced a change from the original colour will tank the value of the car. My younger son says just get a wrap, and seems to favour gulf blue, to go with his 917 obsession. I plan to be buried in this car, so I don't really give a rip about what it would sell for anyway.
So, fellow rennlisters, I invite you to weigh in with YOUR viewpoints! Should I stay with basic black (classic, and very slimming, I must admit) or go with Arena Red? Does Arena only look right on Turbos? Is it harder or easier to keep clean & shiny than black? Will my car's value go in the toilet if I don't stay with the original colour? Which colour will make my car go fastest?
In short, should I go with this:
05-12-2016, 12:31 AM
#3
Seared
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
AR is gorgeous, no question. But I would not vote for a color change. Have it properly repainted, wait a month or two, and then have a quality clear bra applied (bumper, full hood, mirrors, fenders, rear of fender openings).
Andreas
Andreas
05-12-2016, 01:09 AM
#7
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Yeah, stumbled across that thread while searching "respray". Hilarious comments: original ride height, nice panel gaps, too much camber for street - gold.
Good call about the paint film, whichever way I go it will get the exact treatment with xpel on all the locations you described. Lesson learned.
Good call about the paint film, whichever way I go it will get the exact treatment with xpel on all the locations you described. Lesson learned.
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05-12-2016, 02:26 AM
#8
Rennlist Member
I think a color change will lower the value but ....if you plan to drive it and enjoy it....paint it what you like. More people should put more miles on their car. As investments go I'm glad to see my 993 worth more but that is not why I bought it. Arena red is a great color. A wrap is a good idea too!
05-12-2016, 02:35 AM
#10
Drifting
AR is friggin gorgeous. Can't blame you for wanting it!
With a color change, any paint chip now becomes 2 tone....and unless you pull the motor, your engine compartment and other places in the car will always be a different color. Lucky for you you start with black. But think if that would bother you when you open the engine, frunk, corners of the door frames...
With a color change, any paint chip now becomes 2 tone....and unless you pull the motor, your engine compartment and other places in the car will always be a different color. Lucky for you you start with black. But think if that would bother you when you open the engine, frunk, corners of the door frames...
05-12-2016, 03:15 AM
#12
Rennlist Member
Black and wrap. On my 912, I changed from "racing green" to "wine red" (a current factory color at the time). Huge mistake. There are nooks and crainies that just can not be painted properly, so you always see the original color, or a half-assed attempt to cover it. I've come to believe...when you buy a car, you buy the color.
05-12-2016, 07:37 AM
#13
Rennlist Member
I love Arene Red, but I also like originality. That being said, if your not worried about selling, go with the color you like........Although.......a fresh re-spray in black will look great!
05-12-2016, 07:54 AM
#14
Rennlist Member
AR is friggin gorgeous. Can't blame you for wanting it!
With a color change, any paint chip now becomes 2 tone....and unless you pull the motor, your engine compartment and other places in the car will always be a different color. Lucky for you you start with black. But think if that would bother you when you open the engine, frunk, corners of the door frames...
With a color change, any paint chip now becomes 2 tone....and unless you pull the motor, your engine compartment and other places in the car will always be a different color. Lucky for you you start with black. But think if that would bother you when you open the engine, frunk, corners of the door frames...
05-12-2016, 08:26 AM
#15
These two statements seem to contradict each other. That being said keep it the factory color. Even in its original form, black is a more desirable color than Arena Red.