Brilliantrot Paint mini-poll

[Martin C.]

Hey Folks,

I am getting my 318is painted professionally, back to the same original color but with clear coat of course. No silly body kits or anything, just nice and straight.

I wanted to know what you All think about getting rid of the black strip along the bottom of the car so that the entire car is red (minus the black trim of course).

The other option I was considering is to leave the black strip at the bottom, and get the mirror housings painted black. However this may be a mistake and I should instead secure some carbon housings and use the red mirror housings (then painted) as spare...

I am nos that savvy in Photoshop otherwise I would manipulate actual photos of the car to show a difference. Any opinions are welcome...

[FredK]

Honestly, I prefer the rockers to be painted black. The pinch weld on the bottom is ugly looking and the darker it is, and the more matte it is, the less obtrusive it looks.

[JRYE30]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?p=3441705#post3441705

I just posted this, with the same thing in mind sort of...gives you an idea...I just photoshopped the options onto my car

[ak-]

How about some iS side skirts?
I've always been a fan of painted rockers and rear rock guard sanded away and painted as well.

[Martin C.]

Fred: I sort of agree, but I am going satin black (not flat).

JRY: nice post.

ak: Interesting you mentioned guards, as I was at some point in time considering doing the standard guards and shortening them followed by prime, paint, etc. I will give it some serious thought.

BTW I am using the OEM rear spoiler as backup (after paint) as I will be installing a different spoiler.

Will see about posting photos of the ongoing work. The painter seems to know his shit.

[Vivek]

I'd leave it black but that's my personal opinion. Is there any reason that you're so set on clear-coating it?

[Martin C.]

I'd leave it black but that's my personal opinion. Is there any reason that you're so set on clear-coating it?

After polishing faded single stage paint, I am a believer in the clear coat. Besides the coat we are using will likely result in a deep wet-looking job (insert finger crossing here).

If you ever pay attention to the first generation X3s vesrsus the newer generations you can see why I am considering going all red. The older X3s have the bottom (and bumper covers) blacked out, and compared to the new versions they look like very old cars.

[Mastrcruse]

Leave them black. Especially on a red car, I feel it breaks the car up and adds to the "classic" e30 body look. There are several pictures out there of this and none of them look right unless they have some kind of side skirt.

[4drPwr]

I've done both on my car. My opinion is that black rockers look good with the rear valence in OEM colors (black on the lower portion, body color upper) and can look good with either an "i" or "is" lip in black or body color. Body color rear valence looks good but the rockers don't so you'll need some body color skirts and an "is" lip or something equivalent. When you paint the lower part of the car body color you need to compensate in all three areas (lip/rockers/rear valence) since you're moving the line of the car lower. Easier to illustrate while whoring a couple pictures:



vs.

[Martin C.]

Thanks for feedback. I am leaning towards leaving hte black strip on the bottom all around since I am not using a body kit.

It is possible I will still paint the IS lip red, and use RG splitter in black.

[Vivek]

If you ever pay attention to the first generation X3s vesrsus the newer generations you can see why I am considering going all red. The older X3s have the bottom (and bumper covers) blacked out, and compared to the new versions they look like very old cars.

You own a very old car...

[Martin C.]

Color scheme selected! I am using black at bottom, with black IS lip, black pFeba spoiler and having a spare set of mirrors painted all black (and original spoiler red) just for good measure.

Thanks for all the comments, and will post photos of the 'transformation' in few weeks...

[Martin C.]

These are photos of what she looks like today...I am sort of sad for how taken appart she is, but hopefully is worth it..NO RUST!!

[Sindako]

Mate , Keep he Black Trim . It Gives The Car a Nicer Look .
Also , If Those Are Your Rims From The First Post , Just Lose Them and Get a BBS Or Brock Rim Set.

[Martin C.]

Mate , Keep he Black Trim . It Gives The Car a Nicer Look .
Also , If Those Are Your Rims From The First Post , Just Lose Them and Get a BBS Or Brock Rim Set.

Agreed on the trim. Thanks.

By the way those ARE BBS wheels. I still have the stock set of basketwaves, but they are a bitch to clean specially if you drive after any sort of rain here in Seattle. I have been trolling for a nice set of 15s or 16s but my budget is going towards the pointjob for now///:D