Paint Decision...What do you think?

**bostonbruins34** · 04-16-2012, 09:35 PM

I'm getting ready to paint the Firebird Formula and want some opinions. The previous owner painted over the original Dark Navy Blue Metallic with a kind of flip-flop blue metallic to purple metallic paint. It one view it is a nice dark blue metallic but when you look at it from a different direction it looks kind of crappy. Not that I don't like purple but it just doesn't really work on my car. I really like the Lemans Blue Metallic from the 2005-2007 Corvettes Tell me what do you think or offer up other suggestions. I want a darker blue but not too dark that you can't pick out the blue. The Lemans Blue really pops out. I'd really love to see a 'Bird with it painted that color...This is what the color looks like. It is on an older Corvette that I found on the web...

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**cammed goat** · 04-17-2012, 06:48 PM

That's a nice blue. Looks like the factory NBM but with some more metal flake added to it.

**2001camaroSS** · 04-17-2012, 07:14 PM

I think that would make for a good looking car. Put a nice set of wheels on the car and it would really pop.

**bostonbruins34** · 04-18-2012, 12:58 AM

Thanks! I've been debating back and forth between the Lemans Blue and the Lexus Toyota Spectra Blue Mica Metallic. They are very similar. The Blue Mica is a little cheaper. The Lemans Blue is around $200-$250 a gallon for the base coat alone. I think the Spectra Blue Mica is about $160-$180 a gallon for the base coat. I still think I'll go with the Lemans because it is just a tad bit lighter. I really want the blue to stand out and the Dark Navy Blue metallic is just a tiny bit too dark. In direct sun it looks great but in the shade the blue just doesn't pop out. There's a guy in the next subdivision with an '06 Z06 in Lemans Blue and it looks amazing. I'll be sure to post pictures when it is done. I can't wait...

**robcas47** · 04-18-2012, 08:30 AM

Looks like Lemans Blue to me. Would be a cool as looking Formy IMO

**bostonbruins34** · 04-19-2012, 03:06 AM

Originally Posted by robcas47

Looks like Lemans Blue to me. Would be a cool as looking Formy IMO

Thanks! I'm going to meet the paint guy tomorrow and look at a car he is painting the same color Lemans Blue. He did mention that is isn't really a metallic as much as it is a pearl. I'm wondering if the Corvette in the picture I posted is a different color such as GM Arrival Blue? Either way the Lemans Blue looks great and should really look great on the Formula's curves. I drove slowly by the guy in the next subdivision's house to take a long look at his Z06 and the way the paint looks flowing over the front fenders is amazing! LOL!

**KMdef9** · 04-19-2012, 04:47 PM

That's a sharp blue I would go for it.

**SiggyZ** · 04-20-2012, 10:40 AM

That blue would look good on the car.

**bostonbruins34** · 04-22-2012, 04:57 AM

Thanks everybody. I take it in Monday but now have another dilemma...The LeMans/Luxo Blue for 2012 is different from the 2004-2007. The 2004-2007 color is GM #WA933L/ Code 19 but in 2012 it is GM #WA933L/Code 19 GTS. I don't have the mixture breakdown but the old one had more magenta while the new one had a little green. The new one has more mica and pearl. I haven't seen a picture of the new 2012 paint, only the 2004-2007...Hmmm...I guess I'll have a few days to figure it out because it will take a few days to repair the mild bumper damage, sand, primer, sand again.

**kenro23** · 04-22-2012, 07:28 PM

I was at a car show a couple of weeks back and found the color I want on a '13 Charger. It is called blackberry pearl. I'm thinking about doing that color one day. Gonna be awhile for that decision.

OP, I think its gonna look nice and I agree with a nice set of wheels will make it pop.

**bostonbruins34** · 04-23-2012, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by kenro23

I was at a car show a couple of weeks back and found the color I want on a '13 Charger. It is called blackberry pearl. I'm thinking about doing that color one day. Gonna be awhile for that decision.

OP, I think its gonna look nice and I agree with a nice set of wheels will make it pop.

My sister and her husband almost bought a Dodge Durango in Blackberry Pearl. She said it was really sharp in bright sunlight but in the shade it looked completely black. They live in Arizona and figured a darker vehicle would be hotter than hell in the summer.

I picked out the color this morning. I went with the 2004-2007 LeMans Blue/Luxo Blue instead of the 2012 color. After comparing all the pictures I found of the 2 versions I could clearly see the older LeMans blue had a little more color and pearl and really pops out even in lower light conditions. I'll get it back in a week and will posts pictures. Thanks for all the input!

***SMWS6TA*** · 04-26-2012, 09:14 AM

+1 on liking the new color choice.

when done.

how long is it going to take?

**bostonbruins34** · 04-28-2012, 03:03 AM

I brought it in Monday and they hoped to have it done by Friday but they told me Thursday it may take a few more days...I'm getting sick of my rental car! LOL! It's an Impala and it sucks...handles like a wet sponge, no power, seats are horrible, sounds like a ricer under full throttle and...oh yea...It doesn't have an LS1!

**35th-ANV-SS** · 04-28-2012, 03:38 AM

I like my 2008 Impala LTZ

Subscribed for pics.

**bostonbruins34** · 04-28-2012, 05:14 AM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

I like my 2008 Impala LTZ

Subscribed for pics.

The rental is just the base model with the weak 200 hp LZE engine. The suspension is really soft and the engine always seems to be surging under normal acceleration. Whenever you stomp on the gas it has a long pause before it takes off. I used to own a supercharged 2000 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi that was fast and handled more like a sports car. This is the complete opposite. I have a friend that has a 2009 LTZ Impala and it drives great. Handles great, is comfortable and is pretty quick!

**cammed goat** · 04-28-2012, 02:28 PM

Keep us updated. And I feel your pain about the base Impala. I have replaced many tires on many fleet/rental Impys. They are usually beat to shit. An LTZ or SS...those are treated with the utmost care.