Dark Red Metallic paint ??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 161
Likes: 8
Dark Red Metallic paint ??
I have a 1990 c4 that has Dark Red Metallic paint and is due for new paint, im plan to have my friend do the paint at his Restoration shop, I traded a 1968 unimog for the car and was never a fan of red or dark red paint, my friends says to keep it the same color and likes it, im not really sure what to do, will painting it another color hurt its resale, What is everyone opinion or the Dark red Metallic, I know the people who have Dark red Mettalic car will say it the best, what is the general opinion of c4 owners, maybe posting here will sway me in the right direction, any help would be much appreciated
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 48
From: Henderson Nevada
Considering its one of my favorite C4 colors, I would advise you to keep it original color. As for resale, I'm not sure. It won't help if you change the color, but respraying the original color might help the value slightly. If you do respray to a different color, I'd at least advise to sticking to a 1990 Corvette color.
But if you didn't like the color, why trade for it and not find one in a color you like? Red is essentially the trademark color for Corvette, so painting away from that... eh. What kind of color did you have in mind? And what interior color do you have?
But if you didn't like the color, why trade for it and not find one in a color you like? Red is essentially the trademark color for Corvette, so painting away from that... eh. What kind of color did you have in mind? And what interior color do you have?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 925
Likes: 6
From: East Wenatchee Washington
I don't think painting it another color will hurt it's resale value as long as the person doing it does a perfect job. Which means, jambs, under hood, in crevices, under gas door, every conceivable spot. I'm really turned off by overspray or mismatched paint.
I'm with JD on this one, leave it the same and sell it, then buy one you like. If the paint's poor, then the car is only worth what - 6 or 8k? If you put on a really nice paint job for - say - 3-4k, you probably wind up with a car that's worth - well .. 7-9k. At best.
Personally, I don't think buying a C4 for a resale investment is that good an idea ..
Oh - and I really like the dark red metallic - in fact, if it wasn't for the fact of the work in getting it to look right, I'd seriously consider painting my red one that color. As it is, I'm not even going to bother, I'll paint the "poorly painted parts" of my red car back to a color as close to the original as I can get and leave it at that.
I'm with JD on this one, leave it the same and sell it, then buy one you like. If the paint's poor, then the car is only worth what - 6 or 8k? If you put on a really nice paint job for - say - 3-4k, you probably wind up with a car that's worth - well .. 7-9k. At best.
Personally, I don't think buying a C4 for a resale investment is that good an idea ..
Oh - and I really like the dark red metallic - in fact, if it wasn't for the fact of the work in getting it to look right, I'd seriously consider painting my red one that color. As it is, I'm not even going to bother, I'll paint the "poorly painted parts" of my red car back to a color as close to the original as I can get and leave it at that.
Last edited by MaxDaemon; Jan 19, 2015 at 02:11 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 764
I don't think painting it another color will hurt it's resale value as long as the person doing it does a perfect job. Which means, jambs, under hood, in crevices, under gas door, every conceivable spot. I'm really turned off by overspray or mismatched paint.
I'm with JD on this one, leave it the same and sell it, then buy one you like. If the paint's poor, then the car is only worth what - 6 or 8k? If you put on a really nice paint job for - say - 3-4k, you probably wind up with a car that's worth - well .. 7-9k. At best.
Personally, I don't think buying a C4 for a resale investment is that good an idea ..
I'm with JD on this one, leave it the same and sell it, then buy one you like. If the paint's poor, then the car is only worth what - 6 or 8k? If you put on a really nice paint job for - say - 3-4k, you probably wind up with a car that's worth - well .. 7-9k. At best.
Personally, I don't think buying a C4 for a resale investment is that good an idea ..
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Leave me alone! 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 161
Likes: 8
Cost and time of a paint job is not a issue as i just have to pay for materials , I got the car as the interior is mint, chassis has not a speck of rust, new brakes all around, has a nice sound system. guy just spent $2500 on rim and tires even though the rims are not my taste so i bought some OEwheels, it has 130000 miles, rebuilt transmission. Paint is not bad just has some fading ,
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
Betty Boop is at the shop. Dark Red Metallic was my only choice. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,072
Likes: 48
From: Henderson Nevada
Eesh... the amount of sexy in the above photo. 
I'm a fan of the OEM wheels for '90. Only year they had that exact look.
If the paint is only faded, have you considered polishing? It very well could just need an "exfoliation" of sorts. Some cutting compound and a power buffer can do wonders on faded paint.
Cost and time of a paint job is not a issue as i just have to pay for materials , I got the car as the interior is mint, chassis has not a speck of rust, new brakes all around, has a nice sound system. guy just spent $2500 on rim and tires even though the rims are not my taste so i bought some OEwheels, it has 130000 miles, rebuilt transmission. Paint is not bad just has some fading ,
If the paint is only faded, have you considered polishing? It very well could just need an "exfoliation" of sorts. Some cutting compound and a power buffer can do wonders on faded paint.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 161
Likes: 8
polishing is out of the question, did a test area and was pulling up some color, 25 year old paint the clear is failing in a couple areas plus I have a problem of little imperfections bother me, so after 25 years there are a few stone chip here and there, If I had to pay $8-10000 for paint I wouldn't do it, im experienced at prep and my friend is a very good painter so it just a matter of my our labour and the cost of the paint, im leaning towards keeping the red, it would be about $1700-2000 in paint and materials
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16,096
Likes: 820
From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 925
Likes: 6
From: East Wenatchee Washington
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
The MISHAP happened day after this photo was taken.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
Micah's looks that good in person too!
I put them on my '95.
And I am another fan of the dark red metallic.
