Help with paint idea?

[Slasher]

look at the 78 indy pace car corvette? I think that is what you're talkin about.... Yes, I think it would reduce cabin temps... remember that a few degrees is a lot on a really hot day...

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by redorchestra

are you sure that is celedon green?

Actually, I'm sure that the car I posted above IS NOT celedon green, but when I searched for it I found a totally inaccurate photo. And my wife liked this approximation most. But I'll keep looking. Your pottery photo is closer. I found some of that too. There ought to be a good compromise out there.

[euromodder]

The Royal Air Force has long been painting the tops of its support aircraft white to keep the cockpits cooler.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by euromodder

The Royal Air Force has long been painting the tops of its support aircraft white to keep the cockpits cooler.

And here's an Edsel with a two-tone pattern. Some of the Minis have a similar style.



Mine would be the light green top, black body. White is tempting, but its not so good looking with the black (think: police car).

[EDIT: Here is a Prius green that could work for the roof, with the black body:

[NachtRitter]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

Mine would be the light green top, black body. White is tempting, but its not so good looking with the black (think: police car).

That may actually be a good reason to go white & black! Folks may give you a bit more space as you are hypermiling!

The color combination certainly gets my attention... seems to be burned into my brain from my younger days... Same with the Crown Vics and the Caprice... any time one with stock wheels (no hubcaps) is around, alarm bells start to sound... if it has a spotlight on it, doubly so!

[Cd]

Originally Posted by NachtRitter

That may actually be a good reason to go white & black! Folks may give you a bit more space as you are hypermiling!

The color combination certainly gets my attention... seems to be burned into my brain from my younger days... Same with the Crown Vics and the Caprice... any time one with stock wheels (no hubcaps) is around, alarm bells start to sound... if it has a spotlight on it, doubly so!

In all seriousness, I agree ! My grandfather had an old Toyota hatch that was black . He painted the roof white ( I'm just now after all these years seeing why ! ).
He mentioned that cars would part for him as he would catch up to them.

Personally I agree about black and white looking odd, but yes it does have a psychological effect on drivers around you . They are more aware of where that you are .

[euromodder]

Personally I don't think the light green would look good on a car roof, but to each their own.

As a sidenote :
Two-tone cars are harder to spot at a distance because the image is split up between the 2 colors.
Then again, your car is black, so it's nog amongst the best visible colors anyway.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by euromodder

Personally I don't think the light green would look good on a car roof, but to each their own.

Thanks for your thoughts. Most likely I would only use that color on the roof top--kinda like the minis are currently. Have an alternate color suggestion?

As an alternate paint scheme, there is also the more radical painting in this two tone pattern, though I would reconsider green and black:



I removed my rear seats and all the linings go to the back of the trunk (for cargo space and weight reduction). So painting the trunk a lighter color like this seems a good idea for heat reduction in my case.

[redorchestra]

i would get some adhesive vinyl from a sign shop and try it first. Cover the upper third of all the glass too. think it will be "cooool"!

[vrmilionzx]

I like this idea. Since the paint on the top of the car is nice and oxidized anyway, maybe I'll just try to do a sanding and painting day on the roof....But given that I like keeping engine bay temps down (I know, no WAI), maybe the hood too......maaaaaybe