Dark Metallic Blue Paint

My SAW Cabrio is now in the assembly phase and then painting phase. I want a deep dark metallic blue. Currently it's a toss-up between Porsche's Midnight Blue and Lapiz Blue. I haven't seen the colors on a car in person, only on the internet. Has anyone seen these colors on an actual car and if so which is the darker of the two and does either one have a purple tint to it (undesirable)? My Spyder was painted with Ford's Midnight Blue which nice but at certain angles it had a purple tint to it. Also if anyone has any suggestions for other dark metallic blues I would certainly check them out. The interior will be a light buckskin and the top/tonneau will be dark blue canvas.

Nolan, consider Bali Blue. It is an original Porsche color, but not for 356 A's. I think it is a georgeous color.
Hoss

Looks good Hoss, is it metallic?

Not certain but suspect not. Also, it shows somewhat darker in the picture than it really is. Sure you want to go metallic? Much harder to touch up when you get a chip (imho).

Really got my heart set on metallic, we have a few shops around here that are very good on touchups and reasonable on cost. The darker the blue the better, a near black in color would be what I'm looking for.

Do what I did, go new car shopping. You can see all the colors on real cars. When you find what you want write down the year, make anf model. Paint stores can use that info to find the color.

Ben: Just took a look at your last picture. That is a beautiful car. What 's the name of the red and the manufacturer?

Nolan,
Have it shot in black and use a blue pearl clear coat. It'll look black until the light hits it.

Good idea Terry, I'll look into it. I think I recall that years ago (late 70s) that VW shot a color like that on their Fox model.

I ran into a guy trying to sell that car. I told him I would post a pic here for him. I never saw the car in person but he said it was a CMC and it was the original gelcoat. The other red speedster in my photos was my last one and it was a CMC with factory gelcoat.

Ben: That gelcoat really shines. Do you have any problems keeping it that way? I had a CMC Gazelle that was black with red interior, I had to use a special fiberglass polish to keep it from getting dull.

Nolan,

We did a car in Moro Blue Pearl. The customer wanted to match his Audi S4.
http://www.beckspeedster.com/images/600_cardreaderfile1_022.jpg
It looks darker in the picture than in person. I'll see if I can find a better shot of it.

Carey

Cary: That looks like it, but you said it might a bit lighter? I like the picture but must be a dark dark blue.

All of my cars were dull when I got them as well. I did a color sand to bring the color back out then just wax them. I use Zymoil. It is a bit more expensive but works well with the fiberglass.

Nolan, I'd try to stick to a Porsche color, either from a 356 of some year, or at least a Porsche color from some other year. The problem with original 356 colors is that very vew were metallic colors. You asked about midnight blue vs. lapis blue. I happen to have a lapis blue 911. Midnight blue is the darker of the two. In fact, it is so dark that in most lighting situations, it could be mistaken for black. Lapis blue is the one that has a hint of purple in it, which I think gives it a lot of character. I get a lot of compliments on the color from people who see it. It's currently one of the most popular Porsche colors, so you should easily be able to see one at a local Porsche dealer.

Thanks Oggie: I think I saw a Boxster in the video "Bewitched" that may have been Lapiz Blue. Absolutely gorgeous! Do you think it would look OK on a 356 Cabrio with flared fenders and buckskin interior?

It would look STUNNING. angela

I think it would look terrific. I assume you'll get a similar color top?

For some 911/Boxster color combinations, go to this site:

http://www.whiteson.org/boxster/gallery.

If you check off the box for Lapis Blue, and leave all the others unchecked, photos #27 and #39 are of my car (before I switched my stering wheel to the 3-spoke).

Wow! Oggie, that page is outstanding and it gave me the color shots I wanted. Angela's right, it is a stunning color and with a buckskin interior and definitely a blue top, boot and tonneau it should be a keeper. Thanks again...

Yes, definately that color - men will shred their clothes with envy and women will just shed their clothes. angela

Angela: I'm already blushing and I don't even have the car yet. Lapis Blue and buckskin it is and looking forward to driving it along Ft. Lauderdales's beach.

How 'bout putting a drive to Carlisle into your plan??? We need to begin thinking about a S.E. caravan, right?
Hoss

Angela, you little vixen.....

Haha - put a smile on your little devil face though didn't it?! All teasing aside, the color issue is really important. First and foremost, YOU have to love the color. That's the most important thing. Second, you need to consider resale. It is likely, someday, that you will sell the car.

A color combination as lovely as this will sell easily. Particularly if it appeals to women. Most of the people who buy speedstahs are guys BUT trust me on this, if your wife looks at the car and positively falls in love with the color (or other features) then the guy spending mucho cash-ola on the cool toy thing goes much better... angela

Tell me about it!!! My wife doesn't like to go riding in my Speedster....and doesn't care much for it either.

Right on Hoss! I'm planning on it, everything depends on delivery and my other half's willingness.

That would be great. We will have to work out a meeting place along the way. Last May, I hooked up with Biggs (aka: Robert Bigham) in Christiansburg, VA. and we had lunch together and a nice drive up from there. I have not seen a post from him in a while....you out there Biggs? Steven O'Brien expects to be with me, driving his Cabrio. Maybe we can pick up some South Carolinians along the way....others???

I plan to leave Thursday morning at a respectable hour and be in on all the festivities. I bailed early last gathering, but I'm hoping to do it all, through Sunday, next time around. Spousal right seating is uncertain at this point; She may get cold feet as we move into Springtime.

Back on the topic, I think dark blue is great. I had looked into a non-metallic blue (personal preference), but sweet bride encouraged me to go with the red. I'm happy with our choice, but if I ever do another car, I think it would be blue....or maybe dark gray....or, I don't know. It's fun to think about anyway.
Hoss

I've been planning on dark blue since I started my kit. I'm going with Midnight Shimrin Pearl. It's a House of Kolors color. Saw it at a car show on a custom 1950 Chevy pickup. The paint looked as deep as the ocean. Now I just need to find a painter. Any recommendations for the Dallas area?