Agreed. I cannot believe you are doing matte black because regular black is too much work.

I *love* matte black, but it is way more work than any other paint job. If you don't take car of it, it will look like &#$ in a week. Vinyl would be much, much easier.

I hate to say anything because you're probably already committed, but I can't believe anyone hasn't said this so far...

I know its a hassle but I really like the look.

I'm not following you on the vinyl, are you talking about the vinyl wraps they do for advertising on van's and such? You can actually get a whole car vinyl'd a different color? Where can I get info about that, or pics?

The black Z with black handles and wheels looks great Mike, nice job man!

Just as matte black will be a handful to maintain, I would assume that a vinyl wrap would be just as much of a handful, no?

I wouldn't think so, as it will be much harder to scratch or get chips. It will still show fingerprints, but I think that would be the only major PITA characteristic.

Vinyl won't scratch from an errant rock on the highway? Although it has to be better than the matte paint, I agree.

Vinyl will be a slight pain, but nowhere near matte paint. Also, if it does get trashed, it's easy to slap a new wrap on that panel without worrying about color match. After matte paint has been on for a few months, I doubt you will be able to match it. It will fade and get dirty in ways you can't clean (as someone mentioned, polishing matte is... problematic).

And yes - vinyl matte is just like those advertising wraps, but with no advertising. Which also means you aren't destroying the car's resale value by applying it. Quite the opposite; you are protecting the original paint.

As I say, I love matte, but unless it's a show car, you are extraordinarily wealthy, or you want it to look like a road warrior car, it's a big issue.

15 years ago before this matte craze, I always thought it would be fun to get a Lamborghini Countach and do it up like one of the original Star Wars ships - navy gray, with blast marks and smoke burns trailing from the vents. I still think it would be a great thing to do with the right car, especially because it would be an entirely new way to do an exotic. Only certain cars work with that aesthetic though, and I don't think ours is one of them...

Really appreciate the feedback bro. I'm going to try and find cars that are the way wrapped. Would be a great fix.

The car is set to go in for paint next Monday but its my buddies shop so he doesnt care if I show or not as he's doing it for cost.

I'll take a look tonight from home, thanks again.

I'm searching high and low at the moment because I remember seeing a flat black 350 video on YouTube. It had a total of three videos of the driver displaying their new exhaust, if I'm right. The only odd thing was the overly high spoiler he had on his Z.....if only I could just find it. Grrrrr!

Thanks man, that would be awesome to see.

No worries - good luck! I just don't want you realizing in a month that the matte looks like crap and essentially needs a repaint every few months to keep it looking good. That's the other nice thing about vinyl - if it ever looks bad, you can at least take it off. Try that with paint :tiphat:

As long as you know what you're getting into and your options, it should be all good...

I say get this paint and do it up! Not matte, but man..............:happydance:

Update for those following my project...
 

I'm waiting till Fontana to start it all but most is ready and lined up.

1. Pulley's, hoses and some more carbon arrived so I'll put that on soon (A Pillars in carbon are on order)
2. After Fontana the car is going in. They are removing every body panel, sanding it down a bit and putting a nice primer then a sealer coat. He said the sealer will look just like this pic, won't soak up water but wont shine too much either. Thought about the vinyl but I really dont care about resale, I'm keeping this car for me and maybe my son some day. All carbon is staying as is...
3. Taking the badges and wheels to a powder coater, going all black. He wants 75 a wheel which also includes labor to pop the tires off and on. He will throw the badges in. I MAY get new wheels though but only if I find something this week.
4. Tint was done last week.
5. Headlights are off to San Diego to be blacked out...may or may not do LED's. Wife really likes LED's but I'm still not sure.

I should have it all done in a few weeks, maybe less. Really stuck on the wheel thing. That GTR looks great!

Watch for pics soon and all your help has been great, can't thank you enough for the advice!

oh yeah...and chroming the gas cap!



KIDDDDDDDIIIINNNNGGG

I panicked for a second.

I was about to get my unregistered gun out....:icon08:

:iagree:

:icon18::icon18::icon18::icon18::icon18::icon18:

That is awesome, but he can't powdercoat your badges. They will melt. I looked up the composition of all the plastic parts, and the only plastic thing on the car that might hold up to the cure oven is the gas cap.

oh crap...good catch, I just assumed they would make it. paint black it is. thanks man!

My car is like your car's little brother...need to get the pulley installed on mine too, and some paint / powercoat jobs.

Looking forward to meeting you at the Fontana meet :tup:

Here are a few picks of vehicles in flat black vinyl.

http://www.carblog.co.za/wp-content/...ck-matte-1.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2175/...8e9dc921_o.jpg

http://www.carzi.com/wp-content/uplo...flat_black.jpghttp://pictures.topspeed.com/cars/ca...mw-m3-c-1w.jpg

Holly crap! That's crazy how nice it is. I need to look into this more. thanks for this, I'm going to try and look these guys up tonight...wow, looks like paint, crazy!

do it :tup:

I know I know....I'm all set for next Monday, just reviewing my options! I'm the last guy to put sh#$ off but people keep throwing ideas at me.

Next time you hear from me, car will be DONE (at least on this thread anyway

If I remember correctly that GTR was actually done with the satin/matte vinyl, its not paint. Which is more reason why I absolutly love it, because he isnt mess'n with the paint and its usually alot cheaper too.

in for updates, and i would say go matte.

I would go with the vinyl then! That GTR is a hottie:yum:

Why dont you just wrap it, b/c I have heard one someone else said that the upkeep is a bit difficult. In the sense that if you scratch it, your kinda screwed, and finger prints and stuff?? I may be crazy, but that sounds like not much fun.

+1 on the vinyl vote...

Thanks guys, pretty much all commited. I called the guy I met at the show who fixes up Exotics, does the mat paint and wraps etc. Said its a pretty painstaking process putting it on and they hadnt done the Z yet.

Either way, Appointment is set, not really worried about it as I have a service take care of the car. Called him too, said to choose a sealed Matte and he knows how to take care of it. Does a heck of a job and comes to the office or house.

Have more pics soon, going out to look at it right now as it just had the pulleys and new Rad hoses installed when I was gone.

It's going to look hot!

I think that Ferrari is wrapped, look at the front brake duct on the front facia, it's still red on the inside. I could have sworn on tv or in a magazine I saw recently they were talking about the growing popularity of guys with exotics getting full vehicle wraps to freshen the look. I knew it was done before, but I guess it becomming more main stream with that crowd.

If you go paint, I know there are flat finish clear coats to help with the scratches someone mentioned before. For example I know all the flat finish RAYS/VOLK wheels still have a clear coat, it's just a flat clear instead of gloss.

Is it done yet....?:excited:

Thanks man, I think so too.

It goes in on Tuesday, had to wait for the fontana meet and some other parts to come in.

I wont have it back for about 10 days or so but trust me, I'll share a ton of pics when she comes home. Can't wait!!:tup:

I love matte black, reminds me of the lambo

http://images.automobilemag.com/revi...ee_quarter.jpg

Good luck with the paint job! Sounds awesome! I'm getting mine painted QAB Pearl white in March..but leaving roof and hatch black with the carbon fiber hood. Undecided on which color rims would look best tho. Black/chrome lip...or some type of gunmetal.

Sounds cool!

Keep us informed, would love to see it.. I like the exposed carbon look especially when its an underlay type deal and subtle.

Good luck!

Just finally made an album. Gotta post a few pics of my old Z. Damn, I miss that car..oddly! haha

Cool, I'll look for it.

I like all the mods people are doing, bunch of different mods, nice to see some variety. Suppose thats the biggest reason I'm painting mine, havent seen too many matte black ones yet.

Yea the Matte black will definitly set it apart! Black rims too huh? Thats awesome! I need to find new ones for mine..which color you think would be best for a two tone car?