Thread: Selecting paint color is tough.

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Car colors is a subject I have been studying and practicing for over 50 years! :-)

I would start with this question... How do you want the car to "feel"? Colors have psychological connections.

Hot colors like red, yellow, and orange are usually "excitement colors". These would look even better with a blower and big back tires!

Blues, purples, aquas usually give it a soothing "dreamy" feeling. These would look at home on a lowered, and swoopy custom.

Black, red, and lime green are "sinister". Again, the big horsepower cars would benefit from these.

Pink is of course a feminine color... so you can see how the color can change the reaction to the car.

White looks "virginal" or untouched.... like a near stock bodies car from several decades ago.

Another thing I try to include are colors that look more "special" or add value to the look like... gold, black, deeper shades of a color, and metallics. We have all learned to think of these as something more "sophisticated". You can imaginge these on a Lincoln or caddy.

White, gray, black, light gold and silver are colors that lack richness, and are usually called neutrals, because their personality is so weak, they go with almost anything. Be careful using these for an overall color, as they can "cheapen" the look.

Pale colors can also "cheapen" the reaction... as do flat finishes.

Once you pick a color group that will give you the "look" you want, you might consider the era you want. Car makers used different colors during different eras. If you want it to look like a vintage build, using a color from that time just looks right. Make sure your wheels and trim parts look like the same era, or it's a lost effort.

In the earlier decades they used the basic colors, like red, blue, yellow, black and white... and nothing too bright. These would fit an early style hot rod.

in the fifties, metallics showed up, and they started mixing more exotic colors, like corals, and lavenders. These remind you of tropical islands and sunsets.

In the sixties, light and bright colors became popular. Remember those muscle cars?

My own gut feeling for your car would be a medium or slightly darker blue or aqua metallic. I think it fits the car well.... but always remember that in art, there is no right or wrong... just what makes you happy.

I hope this gives you something to think about, without causing more confusion. :-)