Paint decisions...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
Paint decisions...
My '85's getting painted next week (I can post before/after pictures if you guys wanna see them).
I have narrowed it down to two colors. (I just decided against torch red) - but I can't decide between Sebring Silver (from the '96 CE's), or Medium Gray Metallic (someone told me that was a rare color option for my year).
How much difference is there between them (if any)?
What do you all think I should do?
I have narrowed it down to two colors. (I just decided against torch red) - but I can't decide between Sebring Silver (from the '96 CE's), or Medium Gray Metallic (someone told me that was a rare color option for my year).
How much difference is there between them (if any)?
What do you all think I should do?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 694
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Originally Posted by mikey whipreck
My '85's getting painted next week (I can post before/after pictures if you guys wanna see them).
I have narrowed it down to two colors. (I just decided against torch red) - but I can't decide between Sebring Silver (from the '96 CE's), or Medium Gray Metallic (someone told me that was a rare color option for my year).
How much difference is there between them (if any)?
What do you all think I should do?
I have narrowed it down to two colors. (I just decided against torch red) - but I can't decide between Sebring Silver (from the '96 CE's), or Medium Gray Metallic (someone told me that was a rare color option for my year).
How much difference is there between them (if any)?
What do you all think I should do?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 0
From: Rolla Mo
Why not consider the whole rainbow of options out there if you are changing the color. I personally prefer something a bit different than what everyone else can have. A rare color means nothing if it wasn't stock that way. Check this out, this is what I am doing for my paint scroll down to the bottom of pageone and you will see the paint card. best of luck to whatever you decide to do.
Doug
Doug
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
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From: Walton KY
I like stock colors, but to each his own. I painted my 1970 Monte Carlo Prowler Silver with Black rally stipes. Looks nice. The color is of the 2002 Plymouth Prowler and is a very light, bright silver. The problem with silvers (or many metallics for that matter) is matching parts painted at different times or if damage is done. I think black windows and some black A molds look nice on a light silver paint. Your '85 also has some black trim pieces that will highlight a lighter silver.
The one thing you did not mention is interior color. Beige on silver looks nasty. Black or blood red on silver looks nice.
The one thing you did not mention is interior color. Beige on silver looks nasty. Black or blood red on silver looks nice.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
Thanks for the responses -
My '85 was medium metallic silver to start with- but it's gotten 2 to 3 coats of primer.
I did consider a lot of different choices for what color to paint it- and narrowed that list down to three - torch red, medium silver, and sebring silver.
I decided on a silver color because that would match the interior a little better then red (interior is light grey).
I do agree that black trim and tinted windows looks
on a silver car... and that was another reason I chose silver...
I just can't decide between these two silvers
Thanks for the input
Oh- and I believe paint cost is relative to where you live. In my area, you could get an absolutely perfect job, and still come in under $2000. I dont know of anyshop that quoted me a higher cost then that for "factory condition" (or whatever you would like to term it looking kick ***). I'm doing a lot of the prep work myself- so I should be well under that cost even.
My '85 was medium metallic silver to start with- but it's gotten 2 to 3 coats of primer.
I did consider a lot of different choices for what color to paint it- and narrowed that list down to three - torch red, medium silver, and sebring silver.
I decided on a silver color because that would match the interior a little better then red (interior is light grey).
I do agree that black trim and tinted windows looks
on a silver car... and that was another reason I chose silver...I just can't decide between these two silvers
Thanks for the input
Oh- and I believe paint cost is relative to where you live. In my area, you could get an absolutely perfect job, and still come in under $2000. I dont know of anyshop that quoted me a higher cost then that for "factory condition" (or whatever you would like to term it looking kick ***). I'm doing a lot of the prep work myself- so I should be well under that cost even.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 0
From: Walton KY
My 2 cents, lighter silver of the two. I would have to see the colors in front of me to say.
There is this kid around 17 or 18 that has an '88 that is darker gray. He goes through nitrous like water and BEATS that car to death. Everytime I think of a dark silver Vette, I think of this loser
. That may be swaying by decision.
There is this kid around 17 or 18 that has an '88 that is darker gray. He goes through nitrous like water and BEATS that car to death. Everytime I think of a dark silver Vette, I think of this loser
. That may be swaying by decision.
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Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
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Cruise-In II Veteran
Sebring would look Killer on the car.Sorry I cant help you with side by side comparisons though.
In any event,the car is gonna look BRAND NEW and youre gonna be real happy with whatever color you choose.
In any event,the car is gonna look BRAND NEW and youre gonna be real happy with whatever color you choose.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
I don't believe I've ever seen an early C4 sebring silver.
Nice color though.
Where's that one I'm looking for with the limo tint and black Y2ks?
Nice color though.
Where's that one I'm looking for with the limo tint and black Y2ks?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 0
From: Rolla Mo
Originally Posted by dchildress
Paint is like performance, how good you look or how fast you go depends on how much money you have!!! 
Thank goodness I have a GOOD fried who owns a great body shop!! Guess I need to buy him dinner or take hime out for a few drinks!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by Dougs 90
Thank goodness I have a GOOD fried who owns a great body shop!! Guess I need to buy him dinner or take hime out for a few drinks!
maybe I ought to throw in a 6 pack, when I go to pick my car up.
Everyone seems to like Sebring- and I was leaning towards that color. So... I think we have a winner.
I'll try and post some before/after pics in a week or two after its painted. It should look good.
Thanks for the thoughts
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,220
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I understand that the pewter silver (used on C5s) was the first time silver actually outsold red. In general, that is a great silver. I also like the silver used on Grand Cherokee's from '97 thru about 2000. It's very similar. Both can make the car look like it's made from stainless like a Delorean.
Light silvers look cheaper and kinda white. Darker silvers (with a good metal flake) do more for me and help chrome wheels/accents look outstanding.
Keep in mind, you need a good painter for silver. That (and admiral blue) are the only colors I've sometimes seen applied too light -- where you can actually detect variances in coverage. (There's a name for this, but I can think of it).
Light silvers look cheaper and kinda white. Darker silvers (with a good metal flake) do more for me and help chrome wheels/accents look outstanding.
Keep in mind, you need a good painter for silver. That (and admiral blue) are the only colors I've sometimes seen applied too light -- where you can actually detect variances in coverage. (There's a name for this, but I can think of it).