Pic / Opinion Request: Black or Checker Vinyl Wrap on Roof

[Cloudbase]

I've got an '89 Alpine White E30. It's in descent shape, but has it's issues like they all do. I would describe the car as an 8 out of 10 in its present condition.

The paint is in descent shape overall with no chipping or rust - except the clear coat has peeled off the roof on the driver's side and part of the sun roof. The total area is about long by 1 foot wide, I'll post some pics tomorrow. It would be possible to wet sand it out and re-paint the entire roof, but that's time that I could be spending on other issues.

I am a sponsored hang glider pilot and have experience installing automotive grade vinyl decals on my hang glider. I was thinking covering my roof and sunroof with vinyl would be an easier / cheaper solution. The question then is what color to use? I will have a bike rack with fairing and red Rocky Mount trays installed by spring so the roof will be partially obscured.

My question is what color / patter should I use? And does anyone have any pictures of what I'm talking about?

Possibilities Are:

White - should probably just paint it if going this route

Black - would look great with tinted windows and add subtle character
White

Black and White Checkered - might look cool, might get me mistaken for a taxi cab

Black, Red, and White Checkered - will fit with red bike trays and other accents I have planned

Motor Sport Checkered Colors - it's an M20 powered E30. I'm not trying to front!

German Flag Checkered Colors - too much. Would look better on a black car.

I'm leaning towards black...

[lolcantturn]

patterns on roofs..?

[Cloudbase]

I'm leaning towards black...

[VicSkimmr]

I'm pretty sure the only car this has ever worked for or is appropriate for are MINIs/Minis.

[gtarwiz]

I thought about it before in the past and it wouldn't really look right in my opinion because of the A and C pillars. The e30's roof doesn't have a distinct rain gutter that goes from the front window to the rear window that could make a good bounding box. My friend did a checker board of black and white on his white Honda Wagovan (90 EF Civic wagon to those who dont know Honda's) and his was pretty successful, but his has that type of rain gutter.

But it's your car so do what you want to it.

[5spoke]

How much do you suspect enough vinyl to do the roof will cost you? If its cheap enough try one, if it sucks rip it off and start over. I wouldn't mind seeing some chopped pics of some of your ideas.

If you want to play it safe then go with black, but if you want to take a shot at possible greatness try one of the others you can always rip it off.

[mRodiek]

Do it in checkered black & white.

I had black & white checkers on my S13 hood, some people hated it & some people loved it but everyone noticed! lol

[Uber E30]

My vote is for oversized houndstooth, but im a HT freak



Kia Soul by electrofreeze, on Flickr

[hurricanevic09]

interesting. whatever you end up doin post pics

[Cloudbase]

If I did black I bet I could get enough to cover the roof for under $100. A pattern would cost more. I've seen blacked out roofs on a grey M Coupe and a grey E46 Touring. It worked on both of those, but them being grey was a big part of it. I washed it today and installed new emblems. My paint is actually in great shape, but it is weak. I chipped a small piece on my hood (ARGH!) pulling the old emblem by just barely kissing it with a pick tool. If I do it, it will be black. I'll take some pics tomorrow and photoshop black on the roof.

[JasonC]

Do a "Mod Top"

[Raxe]

Problem with the E30 is there's no lines on the roof.

[Cloudbase]

No pics today. I spent all day dealing with driveshaft, shift bushings, and realizing I need to replace my output shaft seal. I'm leaning towards just having it re-painted...

[Cloudbase]

I saw these and it's got me wondering again!

http://r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=2275875&postcount=124

I think the lack of a break up line between the roof and the A and C Pillars in the E30 roof would make it look poor.

Still leaning toward re-painting, but not completely decided yet...

[CHIF8008]

black would look clean