Which Colour to Respray? Red or Black?

Strictly · Post by **Strictly** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 3:36 pm

Hello everyone, sincere apolgies for this question, i appreciate its down to what i want at the end of the day, but the truth is i can't decide!

So i thought i woul make a quick "poll" of your opinion, as i need to let the painter know which colour to spray my 356 in the next few days (it comes to me as a painted shell, thats non-negotiable).

here are some pics of the project, plus some red or black 356's, but first some quick thoughts...

http://www.hannants.com/356/index.html

NORMALLY i would't hesitate to have it resprayed it its orginal colour (signal red) but in this case someone has put a black vinyl sunroof in it (wasbego sunroof?), and as the car comes resprayed (and as i also have no option to get the sunroof welded up before i get it sprayed)

So i cant decide to go for a black 356 which is non-orginal (but then again so is the sunroof), looks lovely, and will "mask" the sunroof (i do like the sunroof, just not sure about its "look"), or go for signal red which is the orginal colour, very sporty (looks great on them fuch wheels) but with a very obvious sunroof (not for the purists).

The truth is i like them both (so im going to be happy either way!),

BUT please just have a quick look and cast your vote, I value your opinion as otherwise i wouldn't be asking!

i'll then mull over it a few more days and then make the decision.

PS. I know black can make things look alot worse if not done right, so on that basis im leaning to the red (but then again im also leaning red, as its orginal)- but the next day i lean black!

Normally i'm so decissive!

Luke

Lightweight_911 · Post by **Lightweight_911** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 5:18 pm

A black 356 looks great if the panels are perfect, it's been correctly prepared/painted & has just been washed/polished ... but it's a real pain to keep clean & will show any little imperfection.

defianty · Post by **defianty** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 5:46 pm

I've voted black purely on the fact that I've always disliked red cars

Couldn't agree more on what Andy says though about black 356's and black cars in general. Wish you all best on your choice, it's your car at the end of the day so paint it in the colour you'd be happy to live with.

Gary71 · Post by **Gary71** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:17 pm

Black.

Other than a recent one off diversion to silver and not including the 911 my last five cars have been black

Yes it's a pain to keep nice, but it looks great

Fitz · Post by **Fitz** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 6:38 pm

There may be a third option... just to make your decision even harder.

My 912 has a coloured "original" (dealer option) webasto roof that almost matches the paintwork.

I haven't been in contact with these people yet but they may be able to help you. www.tudorwebasto.com

Good luck, I'm sure you'll make the right choice!

Strictly · Post by **Strictly** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:30 pm

The poll is as exciting as the F1 race on sunday (well almost LOL, i had to leave the room on the last lap as i was gutted, but lewis pulled it back - get in lad!)

I actually expected a solid vote on red (as its original), so its nice to see the black getting a good look in and support, this was my initial couldnt be missed choice, but now hmmm im not so sure, and that info on the roof being available in signal red (maybe) vinyl, could just swing me the other way!!

I think a few more days on it, and check to see which way the polls going either way ive got a 356, so going to be beside myself with happiness anyway!

I guess now is not a good time to mention i also like silver! (LOL - i do, i really do, but im kidding, its black or red for this one)

L

Strictly · Post by **Strictly** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:57 pm

by the way, im a little confused by the porsche paint codes from say 1960 - 1965.

Signal red had a few paint codes 6407, 6211, 6011 (all porsche) or 601 ruetter- all they all more or less the same colour?

As looking here it dosent seem so....

http://derwhites356literature.com/Porsche356Colors.html

As i definatly prefer the 6011 (which is like a nice sporty red), as opposed to the 6407 which would be right for my year, but looks a bit maroon here.

Ive checked a few other sources (stoddard), and the colours look a bit more like i would expect, but thought i had better be safe than sorry (if i go red that is)

L

Hendrik Moulds · Post by **Hendrik Moulds** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 7:29 am

I have gone for Black as well especialy if the car is a keeper. It doesn't matter then what colour you paint it. I think Black looks a lot nicer particularly when done right, whereas there are loads of red cars around.
Porsche probably just changed the paint codes when they brought out a new model (the colours might be slightly different as well but mixing paint wasn't an exact science at that time). If there's a particular shade of red you prefer, go for that. No one will know as no two red 356s are exactly the same and I won't tell.

912uk · Post by **912uk** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:17 am

Black but forget having it painted in the next few days it will take 2 weeks to get all the panels perfect for paint esp if you are going for black.
Black is like a mirror is SHOWS EVERY THING

40 scout · Post by **40 scout** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 5:41 pm

Neither!! Messian blue is my fav -

Steve

cubist · Post by **cubist** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 7:45 pm

Tan

old_skool · Post by **old_skool** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 10:25 am

black. but it shows the scratches up more.

Strictly · Post by **Strictly** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:18 am

Well boys its been a hard decision, and ive thought about everything youve said.

Ive decided that i love a polished black 356, that is to die for BUT i thing the most sensiable thing for me is for me to go RED on this particular car because :

1) I have seen some pictures of a black 356, where the results were NOT as good as those pictures i found, and as :

2) I have no chance to redo any of the panel/prep work (it comes painted regardless), and there are some bodges to the doors, lock posts, and under the rear wings, where the welding looks a little shady, and basically that rust is going to come through in a a few years, which will look ok on red, but horriable on black

SO, the best idea is get the 356 on the road, drive it for a year to decide if it is a keeper (its had quite a bit of patch welding (which really wants redoing) so the shell might not be that strong, etc,

AND THEN if im going to keep it, pull it off the road for a total resto, and THEN paint it black, but this time ensuring that everything is perfect before it gets painted.

If i decide to sell this 356 in a year or so because i decide i can get better (the previous patch welding does put me off a little, also RHD would be nice), then i think the orginal red colour, which will also mask any rust coming through alot better is the much more sensiable option.

it will also save me 750, which will need to spnt on something missing from those card board boxes im sure! Like those expensive square weave carpets!

Sincere, thanks for the input, i was evaluating what is essentially my dream 356 vs what i have, and as i dont know if this one is the long term keeper (probally not if there is better out there) then i think im making the right decision.

Im a man of my word, so now that ive said what im going to do, i'm going to phone the painter, and tell him!

Thanks for everything, im looking forward to getting my teeth into it!

Luke

PS. Apologies for the essay, and apologies to go against what been a strong vote for black, i wouldn't normally go against a good opinion, but in this particular case think that its the right decision.[/b]

Post by **Bootsy** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:23 am

I think you made the right decision based on what you say. Unless the prep for black is perfect and the paint is perfect it never quite cuts it.

Plus I voted for Red so you followed my lead which is always a wise decision!

912uk · Post by **912uk** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:39 am

Yep Red is cool I voted for Black but gave the sturn warning of black. I learnt to spay with black, paint store guys said you are brave but he told me what to do and stuck 100% to the letter and if worked fine he was impressed. BUT having taken a short cut once on black you will NEVER do it again. It showed the primer edge so it had to come rightback to the start..bitch of a colour. As they used to do in the old days the best car bodies that came off the production line were the black cars.. the white where the crap ones..

that was how they really did the paint. Prep is EVERY thing my burgandy 12 took me 6 weeks and I am still not happy with it.