Thread: Selecting paint color is tough.

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I thought about two tone but couldn't figure out a way to break up the colors that I would like. I plan on painting the car myself so that really limits how complicated the process will be and what paint will be used. The price of paint is stupid. I have a neighbor who restores cars for a living and talked with him about paint prices and he quoted me somewhere around 700 to 900 dollars a gallon just for the base coat. That is for red paint in dupont or ppg. At those prices I need to keep it simple as possible to minimize mistakes.
I don't have a overall theme in mind, maybe kind of a sleeper but a color that will accent the body and all the suttle mods I've done to it.
That being said, it will probably be a solid color. Some of my freinds like it in white like it is now but it looks too plain to me.
One thing I will change when I assemble the car for the last time is blacking out the intercooler and radiator so they don't stand out so much.
I wonder how I could paint the bumpers to look like brushed aluminum?

Fauxre, what imaging program are you using?
Very interesting pictures. The red you used is very close to the color I'm thinking of using.
Thanks for taking the time to show me some options.

Thanks for the input so far.

Ed

Originally Posted by super55

I wonder how I could paint the bumpers to look like brushed aluminum?

Ed

Jay may have a different technique, but may have missed your question while he was typing his response. I would think you could paint a silver color, solid, not flaked, then when it dries stroke it from end to end with a scotch brite pad. Back it with a flexible rubber pad/block to even out the pressure (finger tips would give you a funky pattern). Scotch brite comes in different textures (functionally equivalent to grits), so you'd want to experiment which gives you the effect you want. After the scotch brite, clean and coat with a satin clear. Experiment on some scrap material til you perfect the technique you want.

Wow Ed, that is hands down, the coolest Rambler I've ever seen!

Originally Posted by super55

...Fauxre, what imaging program are you using? ...

Ed

It's called GIMP. GNU Image Manipulation Program. You can download it free from these links:
For PCs running Windows- GIMP - for Windows
For Mac running OS X- GIMP - Downloads
It's really easy to colorize and adjust images , once you learn the process. Being in white primer, your Rambler is the perfect blank canvas.

I've been experimenting with stripes of my own design and graphics (swiped from CutRiteFX.com - Custom Vinyl Graphics & Decals, Stripes, Window Decals, Cars, Trucks) on my Velo Rossa project. It's mostly to keep me in the project while I'm waiting for parts. But it has opened my eyes to possibilities other than a solid color.

Resized-2.jpgcutrite8.jpg

Like HOTRODPAINT says, every color and design gives the car a unique feel. I wouldn't have a sense for that without my little computer testing process.


Of course, the downside to that is, I now have even more choices to consider AND more expensive choices at that...