Opinions Requested

[R8Spyderman]

I never owned a black car so was unprepared for how difficult it is to keep clean and how it seems to show dust and spiderweb scratches and swirls to the clear coat. I can get the clear coat buffed out by a professional detailer who specializes in paint correction but they are likely to come back eventually.

I am therefore considering having the car entirely wrapped in matte aluminum film as seen in the Porsche picture below. I wouldn't consider the chrome effect that many have chosen for their exotic cars because it is just too flashy, and think that matte or satin black or white or gray look a bit unnatural and unfinished. Before spending $3800 for a complete wrap, I am soliciting opinions from my fellow R8 aficionados. So please feel free to express your opinions about the whole idea. I'm expecting mostly negative responses but I'm prepared to be delightfully surprised, too.

So, what do you think? Worth trying or bad idea?

[harrison]

That is even nicer than matte black! IMO. A very logical choice.

[drgek]

Since you asked...

I would not even contemplate doing that to your car.

I just bought an '11 Phanton Black/black R8 Spyder, which goes with by Phanton Black '10 S4 (daily driver) and my wife's Phanton Black '10 Q7. In prior car life I had a Nero (non-metallic black) Ferrari 599, black Range Rovers, Jaguars, and a black BMW. I think black cars look great, but beyond that don't care alot if they look dirty. If I drive them, which I do, they get filthy. Then I either wash them, or have somebody else do it. I don't spend much time thinking about whether swirls in the clear coat show more on a black car than on a white one.

My .02. I know there are many others who feel differently.

Just as a question, does wrapping a car damage the paint in any way?

[mstams]

I'm sure it would look great and shouldn't harm the paint. However, I wouldn't do it either. We have a Phantom Black S6 sedan and use Optimum No Rinse car wash. It keeps the car looking clean with no swirls or water spots. You should give it a try.

http://www.optimumcarcare.com/ocwash.php?li=2

[Monkey boy UK]

I would not wrap it, ok, black cars seem to get dirty and show marks more than other colours but when clean it looks great.

Can I ask, did you have the life shine paint protection option?, I think your car is still very new and if you have not had this then I recommend you do, it really does work in keeping the car cleaner, retaining the shine and stopping things like bird droppings, dust & dirt marking the paint.

I do like the look of that Porsche paint wrap, however if I was in your position I would not wrap it...

[NFS13]

Paint is so beautiful, why cover it?

[R8Spyderman]

Paint is so beautiful, why cover it?

All my eyes see are the defects.

[omeletpants]

All my eyes see are the defects.

Yeah, doesn't look good

[Bodhii]

I think this particular Japanese Porsche Cayman looks great. ( I also have a Turbo Cayman S) I am familiar with that car when they put it together almost four years ago.

R8Spyderman, I am pretty sure that it was NOT a wrap. It is a great color. Personally, I think dark colors work best for the R8. If someone is using this car as an example of their "matte aluminum" finish, I would question their validity. The car is Japanese (RT hand drive), and was finished in 2007. The only vinyl color available then was matte black. I am a strong believer in wraps and the satin finishes rule. ( I love the darker satin grays)

Good luck and have fun!









http://www.rsr911.jp/wheel/

At the Cayman website, the owner had a user name of "HIDE". On 06/01/07, he said it was .... 2007 Cayman 6MT RH Body Color:Matt Silver Paint.



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[R8Spyderman]

That Porsche photo may have been captioned incorrectly and may not be a wrap but the below picture is indeed a wrap, though brushed aluminum, not matte or satin. Brushed is linear whereas the frame of the windshield on the Spyder is a matte or satin finish and that's what I am hoping to achieve. If only brushed aluminum or chrome is all that's available, I may pass on the idea, though I'd still consider the brushed even if it isn't a perfect match for the windshield frame because the frame could also be wrapped to match.