Jalopnik: Paint

BMW Owner Changes His 3-Series Color From Black To White... With Tape

Mark Arnold — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:00:00 EDT

This BMW owner decided he'd like his BMW 335i to be white rather than black, so he found a shop to wrap his bimmer in 3M shiny white tape. OK, so paint jobs aren't exactly dead yet, but it seems more and more people are choosing to wrap their metal rather than have it re-sprayed. We guess this way, if he feels like changing it to another color, all he has to do is peel off the skin and apply a new one. And obviously, it also protects the original surface underneath, if he ever wants to go back to black. But what do you think?

[E90post]

What's The Worst Car Color Combination?

Matt Hardigree — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 11:40:00 EDT

Not all of us considered the blue-and-yellow of Jerry Seinfeld's Porsche 911 to be quite so bad, though that put us in the minority. We're also totally smitten with the grey and red velour of the 1971 Fiat 130 Coupe, but that may not be a commonly held taste. The snakeskin green + black + red of the 2008 Viper SRT10 is both garish and ridiculous, which actually makes it perfectly appropriate for the Viper SRT10. There may be nothing more frightening than the purple-on-purple Porsche, an eggplant abortion that only a Spice Girl or a true Porsche fan could love. Amazingly, everything mentioned so far came that way from the factory. We haven't even mentioned custom paint jobs. You tell us, what's the worst-of-the-worst in car-color combinations?

Paint Thickness Tester Can Bust Shady Craigslisters

Travis Hudson — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:00:00 EDT

We all know that Craiglist posters can be some of the most trustworthy individuals on this planet, but for those few occasions when you need to double check their honesty there is this great invention: the paint thickness tester. It's a keychain-sized device that can determine if a car has had any body work needing repainting. It works by setting a reference value at a designated spot on the car and then comparing all other spots to that value. For example, you make the reference value a spot on the hood that you're pretty sure hasn't been repainted. Then you go to the common areas for damage like fenders and the bumper to check if the same value exists. The paint thickness tester is available for $20 and could save you thousands. Unless, of course, the paint tester itself is a scam. [Product Page via TRFJ]

Ford's Tests Out Eco-Friendly Paint on U-Haul Vans

Matt Hardigree — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 17:00:00 EST

Proving that saving the environment isn't all about mating electric motors to gas engines, Ford has been working on reforming the painting process to find ways to lessen our impact on our world. If you don't believe that painting trucks creates an environmental hazard, check out the paint shop at your local transit authority's bus barn. According to Ford, the new system "combines an advanced chemical formulation of high-solids, solvent-borne paint with an innovative three-wet application process." Exactly. Fittingly, Ford is testing this new process out on 200 U-Haul vans, which each use a lot of paint to describe the many tourist attractions of Delaware.

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 26, 2007 - Ford Motor Company and U-Haul launched the industry's first fleet of vehicles painted with Ford's environmentally responsible new technology, which reduces greenhouse gases by 15 percent and cuts Ford's production costs.

More than 200 Ford E-Series trucks painted with this new technology were delivered to U-Haul facilities around the country. U-Haul began renting the units, tagged with eco-friendly decals, to customers this week.

The technology combines an advanced chemical formulation of high-solids, solvent-borne paint with an innovative three-wet application process that requires a smaller, less expensive and cleaner paint shop than traditional automotive paint facilities.

In addition to reduced CO2 emissions, the new technology reduces VOC emissions (volatile organic compounds) by about 10 percent. The company estimates it can save approximately $7 per vehicle by cutting the time it takes to paint a vehicle by almost 20 percent as well as reducing the size of the traditional paint shop by nearly 15 percent.

"Painting vehicles has traditionally been one of the auto industry's biggest environmental challenges," said Mary Ellen Rosenberger, paint manager of Ohio Assembly Plant where the new technology was launched. "Ford has found the solution. It's environmentally sound. It's cost-efficient. And it produces beautifully painted vehicles with long-term durability."

Ford's new high-solids, solvent-borne paint formulation produces fewer VOC and CO2 emissions than do water-borne and current solvent-borne paints. Because the new formulation contains more color pigment, it requires less paint to cover a vehicle than water-based paint. Furthermore, the new technology allows for three coats of wet paint to be applied to the vehicle one on top of the other, without drying between coats. This eliminates the prime-coat application and its related processes, which means a smaller, more efficient paint shop.

Furthermore, there's no need for an air-conditioning process or an additional low-temperature oven, which are required in water-borne paint shops to evaporate the water from the paint.

The paint formulation contains new polymers and other additives that prevent running and sagging during the three-wet application process. And Ford's laboratory tests show the high-solids, solvent-borne paint provides better long-term resistance to chips and scratches than does water-borne paint.

Said Dean Cerimeli, U-Haul's director of Truck and Trailer Product: "When it comes to the environment and sustainability, we are happy to partner with Ford in this important field test. We believe this is the most environmentally responsible way to paint vehicles. And we applaud Ford for leading the industry."

In June, Ford won the "Best Technical Prize" for its new paint technology at SURCAR: The International Conference on Automobile Body Finishing in Cannes, France. [Source: Ford]

The New Switcheroo: Electrical Chameleon Paint Changes Color

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:15:00 EST

We've been hearing about this kind of thing since the mid-80s, but it appears an actual color-shift system could be in place by early next decade, reports World Car Fans. It's the next step from Nissan's self-healing paint, a paramagnetic paint system that can change color from a default of white to a range of shades. It's a polymer-based substance containing tiny iron oxide particles that can be manipulated by an electric current. Doing so adjusts the distance between the particles, altering the wavelength of visible light, and thus the color shade. It's good news for small cars, which will soon be able to blend in with their surroundings so they're not eaten by birds, a growing insurance liability issue. [World Car Finns]

How Heico Sportiv "Chrome-Plated" The Volvo S80

Ray Wert — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 10:15:00 EST

Amidst all of the glitz and chrome of the SEMA show in Vegas, there was one concept car that stood out — mostly because the paint reflected so much light in the Las Vegas Convention Center you couldn't ignore it. This seemingly chrome-plated beast is the Heico Sportiv-tuned S80 T6 "High Performance Concept." To begin with, it's a Volvo S80 powered not by the high-powered 4.4-liter Yamaha V8 that's in the engine bay of the up-model version — an engine that generates 311 HP, mind you. Instead, it's powered by the new T6 engine, which ups the standard engine lineup to 350 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 405 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. Heico estimates that with the T6, this S80 concept can reach 62 mph in just 5.8 seconds. But the real story's the paint job. As you can see from the video above, nearly every panel of the Heico S80 T6 HPC was re-fabricated. The S80's front clip was replaced with a more aggressive nose that incorporates ultra-slim LED turn-signal indicators, a deeper front air dam and wide intake tunnels for improved airflow into the intercooler and brakes. And oh, yes, there's the "metal effect" paint scheme. Seven coats were applied over a two-week period, and the process allows for no "touch-ups" whatsoever. So once you get it, don't expect to drive it...ever. Full release from Volvo below the jump.

Heico Sportiv Unleashes Beastly S80 T6 HPC at 2007 SEMA Show
Las Vegas, NV (October 30, 2007) - The lights of Las Vegas reflect flawlessly in the gleaming aluminum paint of the Heico Sportiv S80 T6 High Performance Concept (HPC). Being shown for the first time in North America at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association tradeshow in Las Vegas, NV, the S80 T6 HPC is a literal reflection of power, sophistication and athleticism as can be seen in its unique 7-layer "aluminum effect" body paint. But the S80 T6 HPC is more than just a pretty face. It's a true example that a powerful luxury sedan can also be sensitive to the environment.

"Heico Sportiv is honored to once again be working with Volvo Cars to build the exciting S80 T6 HPC for this year's SEMA show," said Holger Hedtke, President of Heico. The 2007 show marks the second year Heico Sportiv has partnered with Volvo Cars to create a SEMA concept. This year, Heico shows its mettle with the S80 T6 HPC and the C30 Surf Pattern (see separate release). "The S80 T6 HPC is really where we put all our efforts this year," continued Hedtke, "It is our most advance concept to date and it's one that Heico is extremely proud of."

But getting to Las Vegas wasn't easy. The project began as the curtain fell on last year's SEMA show. Behind closed doors Heico executives sat down to put to paper the 2007 concept. The result is a Volvo S80 T6 that has been tuned to an amazing 350-horsepower while running on bioethanol fuel.

When the S80 arrived at Heico's shop in Weiterstadt, Germany in early 2007, Holger and his team knew they had their work cut out for them. The S80 began life with a 3.2-liter inline-six engine and front-wheel drive because production had yet to begin on the Volvo S80 T6, which has standard all-wheel drive. A new T6 engine was delivered from Sweden and work began in earnest.

Performance

The first order of business was to make a significant increase in horsepower. The standard Volvo T6 engine produces 281 horsepower, which is enough to move the S80 with spirited ease. But this is a SEMA concept and a significant bump in horsepower and torque were a necessity. Once the engine was modified to run on E85 ethenol, Heico turned its attention to maximizing power with high-performance engine software, a new intercooler and a stainless steel racing exhaust system. The end results were impressive: 350 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 405 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. The Heico S80 T6 HPC is estimated to reach 62 mph in just 5.8 seconds.

But getting that power to the ground required extensive work. As the standard S80 3.2 is a front-wheel-drive car it was determined that to truly explore the vehicle's potential all-wheel drive was needed. Enter Volvo's renowned Haldex All-Wheel-Drive system with Instant Traction. The system continuously routes power to whichever wheel has the most traction and Heico modified it with heartier gears to handle the enormous amount of torque.

Stopping power is provided via a 6-piston braking system with custom blue-painted calipers and high performance brake pads. Volvo's ABS and electronic brake distribution systems are fully functioning. Large 13.9-inch disc brakes reside in custom forged alloy wheels measuring 9-inches wide and 20 inches in diameter. The specially developed Volution X wheels are wrapped in aggressive 255/30R-20 Continental tires.

The Heico S80 T6 HPC rides on a chassis that is 1.5 inches lower than Volvo's set ride height and the sport-tuned suspension features firmer springs and struts at all four corners. "We aimed to tune all the components to achieve a dynamic yet harmonious ride. In other words, a true sports car experience without losing the luxurious and comfortable touch that is the hallmark of the Volvo S80," noted Hedtke.

Interior

Hedtke's comments about the S80 T6 HPC's ride and handling translate directly to the interior of the car. "It was important to communicate the intention of this car as a true sports car, but one that is also luxurious and comfortable," said Hedtke. Starting from the standard S80's innovative center console, Heico's interior designers decided to sweep the arc throughout the length of the interior, creating four sport bucket seats. The heavily bolstered thrones are separated by the console that is wrapped in stunning silver aluminum carbon fiber.

Paying homage to Volvo's use of blue in its logo, nearly every surface that isn't aluminum is swathed in soft Mystic Blue leather, including the headliner, instrument panel and door panels. The rear seats have been completely redesigned to accommodate the center console and the front seats have thicker side and thigh bolsters. Fully integrated controls for the rear seat entertainment system, cup holders and storage bins are all found beneath the gleaming aluminum "floating" center console. Interior trim panels and accents are bathed in silver carbon.

The S80 T6 HPC driver will find a thick, comfortable sport steering wheel with which to unleash the vehicle's power. The sport pedals foot rest and door pins are all formed from billet aluminum. The crowing touch is the Mystic Blue glowing door-sill panels.

Exterior

Refined, elegant and stylish are all words that have been used to describe the Volvo S80. With Heico's attention to the car's exterior, words such as powerful, imposing and dominance may also be uttered when the car makes its North American debut at SEMA.

"Our goal was to take Volvo's elegant design for the S80 and make it really stand out at this year's show, said Hedtke, "That's not an easy thing to do in Las Vegas, but everyone who sees the car agrees that it's truly striking."

What first leaps to the viewer's attention is the striking "metal effect" paint scheme. Seven coats were applied over a two-week period and the process allows for no re-shoots or touch-ups making the Heico S80 T6 HPC truly inspiring. "We're hoping that those in attendance at the SEMA show will drop by the Volvo booth to take a look at this car," commented Hedtke. "Since there are so many custom paint jobs done by truly talented artists from around the world represented in Las Vegas, we feel the S80 T6 HPC will be truly appreciated."

Nearly every panel of the Heico S80 T6 HPC was re-fabricated. The S80's front clip was replaced with a more aggressive nose that incorporates ultra-slim LED turn-signal indicators, a deeper front air dam and wide intake tunnels for improved airflow into the intercooler and brakes.

The new soft nose seamlessly blends into the aggressive wheel arches that hug tightly around the custom 20-inch wheels and tires. Deep side sills beneath the doors lend to the aggressive stance of the vehicle and assist in aerodynamics. A completely new rear bumper cap features slender rectangular exhaust ports and carbon fiber inserts.

About Heico

Heico Sportiv was founded outside of Frankfurt, Germany in 1995. It has grown to become Europe's leading Volvo tuning firm. Heico has the longest running history of endurance racing featuring Volvo cars spanning 13 years. This serves as the engineering basis for offering high-quality components for Volvo road cars. Please refer to www.heicosportivna.com for more information.

About Volvo Cars of North America (VCNA)

VCNA provides marketing, sales, service, technology and training to Volvo automobile retailers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. For more information on specific production vehicles or special vehicles please refer to the Volvo Cars of North America, LLC public relations website at: http://www.volvocars-pr.com/.

In Russia, Air Brushes YOU!

Davey G. Johnson — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 20:00:00 EDT

The inimitable English Russia has a gallery from Russia's Aerograph 2007 show, featuring a smattering of obsessively-artified vehicles. Sadly, there's only one ZAZ among the bunch, but as Murilee is wont to say, "...And one Zaporozhets to rule them all!" In fact, most of the vehicles are of German origin, suggesting that while they may have turned around the Germans at Volgograd, Russia's well-heeled would rather drive Mercs than Volgas. [English Russia]

Paint Your Brakes, Maybe Purple

Mike Spinelli — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 11:57:00 EDT

What happens when you've followed all the instructions outlined in "Ghost Ride It" (e.g., dance on the hood, buy some car kicks, ice up your neck)? Time to paint your brake calipers. But this job isn't for Mssrs. Moore and Krylon. You need G2 Brake Caliper Paint, perhaps in a shade of purple best known among a tight circle of working magicians and diminutive pop stars from Minnesota. It's made to take whatever the physics of frictional heat transfer can dish out. [via G2 USA]

Color Me Accidental: Wagon's Interior Gets Paint Wash During Accident

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 14:00:00 EDT

Many of the Jalops worked as house painters during their formative years. And of those, at least one was involved in an accident involving a ladder, physics and a five-gallon tub o' latex. Paint, it's said, knows no loyalty. – Mike Spinelli

Azarado? [U ba via Skoopy]

Related:
Let that Be a Lesson: Revenge [internal]

No-Gloss Roller: Mansory's Matte Phantom

Mike Spinelli — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 13:31:40 EST

We couldn't imagine how much it cost for the UK's Mansory to provide a middle-eastern client with this matte-finish Rolls-Royce Phantom. But after seeing all the new flatness that showed up at SEMA last year, we knew something like this was imminent. We just think to follow the money all the way to the UK. Note our mate Nick Hall on the right, angling for a test drive. – Mike Spinelli

Enter the Hall of the World's Ugliest Corvette

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 18 Sep 2006 13:43:18 EDT

Let's face it: Twenty-odd years hence, the 1985 Corvette's rose isn't exactly dewy in the best of conditions. In fact, maybe this eye-tingling art-car sendup is a response to how poorly the '85's aged. At least its owner's priorities are in order.

"Women love this car. Every time I stop for gas, women come up to me. I could have as many girlfriends as I want — old ones, fat ones, anything."

Though, we'd imagine, probably not red-green colorblind ones.

Hall of the World's Ugliest Corvette [via Motorpulse]

Pearl Jam: Photos of Maybach's New Finish

Mike Spinelli — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 10:26:59 EDT

Billionaires turned off to the Maybach's dearth of color choices finally have a new tone, and it's not kandy orange peel (sorry Mr. Barris). It's a pearly white paint scheme, which on a giant German car is harder to pull off than an iron bracelet from the ankle of Ilsa, Tigress of Siberia. Nonetheless, we'd imagine there are at least some Maybach buyers who want to recapture some of the lost Liberace mojo. To them, we say godspeed.

Related:
More on the Maybach [internal]

Pinstripe My Heart: Artists at Work

Mike Spinelli — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 10:20:45 EDT

Pinstripers are a strange breed. They're steady as surgeons, with the spacial awareness of a 3D camera. Their capacity for close-work would make a Swiss clockmaker smash his cukoo in envy. Only check out this video of some of the top pinstripers in action if you've got 10 minutes to spare and a high tolerance for tedium, or at least have a deep appreciation for tiny brushes and real flame surfacing. [Thanks to Scott for the tip.]

Related:
When Airbrushing Goes Bad [internal]

BMW Working Up No-Wash Matte Finish

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 08:51:25 EDT

We'd never have pegged the folks at BMW for fans of the rat rod sensibility, but according to Australia's CARSGuide, BMW is working on special matte finish paint for its cars. BMW project manager for the Z4 Coupe told the Aussies such new paint will "turn the car's surfaces into sculpture." It'll also make polishing a moot point, and "rewrite the rules on car styling and presentation." The only problem, according to the project manager?

"We have no idea yet on how we will be able to repair it."

BMW Thinks You'll Take a Shine to This [CARS Guide]

Related:
Nissan Develops Self-Reparing Finish [internal]

When Airbrushing Goes Bad

maustin — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 17:07:39 EDT

Dear sweet Lord, what the hell is going on here? If you can't tell by squinting at our pixelated photo we'll give you a hint. This is called the VWgina. Um, yeah. At least the National Christmas Lighting Association won't call us gay anymore. Click on the link to see the full, NSFW version if you're really interested in seeing porn painted on the hood of a VW Bug. For more NSFW, check out the re-design on our sister/brother/slave site, Fleshbot.

VWgina Paint Job [Dave's Daily]

Red Hot and Blue: Auto Paint that Changes Color with Temperature

Mike Spinelli — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 08:13:29 EST

Fans of colloid chemistry (c'mon, who isn't one?) will be particularly psyched by the work of a team of German researchers. They've produced new particles that could lead to car finishes (or cosmetics) that can change color based on temperature or humidity. We'd imagine the allure of such a product would be lost on our SoCal audience, but us four-season types could soon have a new way to lose our cars in parking garages.

Car paints changing with temperature [ZNet via Cars Cars Cars]

Related:
Nissan Develops Self-Reparing Finish [internal]]

Nissan Develops Self-Reparing Finish

Mike Spinelli — Fri, 02 Dec 2005 07:57:05 EST

Nissan Motor announced it's devised an automotive clearcoat that repairs scratches on painted car surfaces, including those created by fingernails, car-washing machines and vengeance. The company's "Scratch Guard Coat," which is effective for three years, contains an elastic resin that helps not only keeps scratches superficial but also will return to its original state "anywhere from one day to a week, depending on temperature and the depth of the scratch," a company release said. No word yet on when the product will be available on Nissan cars.

Related:
Let that Be a Lesson: Revenge [internal]

'Appetite For Color' To Tarnish Silver?

Davey G. Johnson — Tue, 29 Nov 2005 17:56:56 EST

As the driver of a silver vehicle, we feel like we're Q-shippin' it. Or we would be if our truck weren't so durned slow. Anybody got a spare supercharger for a 318 Magnum lying around? In any event, research by DuPont shows that while silver's reign as the color of choice for the last six years is starting to wane, there's still life in the old girl yet, as paint manufactures infuse it with other tints. Meanwhile, black remains strong updated with new metallic treatments and eye-poppers like orange and yellow are a growth area. Is it only a matter of time until matte red oxide becomes an OEM color choice? That's when we'll know the rat rod thing is really dead.

Car Buyers' 'Appetite for Color' Eats Into Silver's Long Reign [Yahoo! Fianance (Press Release)]

With Mighty Paint Technology, The Krauts Are Never Second-Best!

Davey G. Johnson — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 12:13:15 EDT

German scientists have been working on a number of different paint technologies that could appear on new vehicles within the next few decades. One of the most prominent is "chameleon" paint, which would change color to somewhat luminesce at dusk, making vehicles more visible. Not thrilling enough for you, techboy? Then how 'bout electrically-conductive paint that fatigues and cracks along with metal and alerts the vehicle's pilot to impending structural failure?

Other ideas include graffiti-resistant paint that would allow offensive, unauthorized peni scrawled across your rear-quarter to simply be wiped away, as well as coatings that resist sap. Our favorite part of the article by far, however, reads as follows: "Research shows sharkskin actually slides through water better and, if sharks could fly, would also be more aerodynamic than smooth, polished skin." Screw all this paint stuff. Why aren't they working on inventing a freakin' flying sharks?

Chameleon paint for cars in the offing [WebIndia123]

Related:
Temporary Auto Paint [Internal]

Watercolors For Your Car: New Paint Does Away With Urethane

Davey G. Johnson — Tue, 26 Jul 2005 10:28:13 EDT

For a time, we lived with a custom painter, so we know a bit about paint techniques. In fact, some of our stuff still has blue metalflake stuck to it. Rather than being urethane-based, Auto Air's new paints are water-based, which confers a number of advantages over urethane, including the elimination of reducers and hardeners. Plus, they release no volatile organic compounds, making for a far-less toxic work environment for painters. If the durabilty is there, these paints could cause a sea change in the way painters work.

The Future of Automotive Paint is Water? [Hot Rod]

[Related]
What Not to Do With Paint [Internal]