Results Are In!!!! Vote Early, Vote Often!

[Hotscoots]

I agree, then if you ding a panel you can buy a color matched one from the factory.
Or even spring for different color pieces, like the wheel covers in one color, body in another.
When I read that they were using the same panels as used in the Corvettes I figured they would be molded in color like the Corvette; BMW i8 does the body in cast colors.

Corvette body panels are painted . While they began as fiberglass, they are now a carbon composite. I've owned 3.

1962, 1969 and currently a C5

 

[Neal]

No one will say look at that awesome white car, but rather look at awesome white autocycle! Note how white pops out at you in this attachment. It seems so much BIGGER than either the Creamsicle or Sour Apple. lol
View attachment 5981

lol, bigger yes, but blends into the background

 

[Ekh]

How about one in camo ?

From the latest Elio Blog notes.
This is a great display of the Elio in colors

Elio Motors Design Concepts click on the "Photos" link on the page

I see Silas Sunday is at it again, bless his heart.

 

[outsydthebox]

How would you control inventory when some colors would be in demand, and others might sit on the shelf.

Those issues and more. Because this is a "low cost" vehicle, even the cost of paint is going to be a factor. As I understand it, They will use a "single stage" paint (not, "base coat + clear coat") keeping labor costs lower. Because UV protection is in the clear top-coat, (and only in the more expensive clear coats) it would be reasonable to expect the factory paint to fade pretty quickly. This means, if your Elio is 2 or 3 years old, replacement panels will need to be "color matched" by a local body shop. My 2 cents.

 

[Ekh]

Those issues and more. Because this is a "low cost" vehicle, even the cost of paint is going to be a factor. As I understand it, They will use a "single stage" paint (not, "base coat + clear coat") keeping labor costs lower. Because UV protection is in the clear top-coat, (and only in the more expensive clear coats) it would be reasonable to expect the factory paint to fade pretty quickly. This means, if your Elio is 2 or 3 years old, replacement panels will need to be "color matched" by a local body shop. My 2 cents.

Do we actually know the paint system EM is going to use? anything about its specs? Elio seems to have a good grasp on the difference between low-cost and "el cheapo", so I'd be surprised if there's no sort of protection.

 

[Ekh]

Corvette body panels are painted . While they began as fiberglass, they are now a carbon composite. I've owned 3.

1962, 1969 and currently a C5

View attachment 5988

The car looks nice -- but is that a direct descendant of Lucy emerging from the front seat?

 

[DWR]

Do we actually know the paint system EM is going to use? anything about its specs? Elio seems to have a good grasp on the difference between low-cost and "el cheapo", so I'd be surprised if there's no sort of protection.

They put this in a Tech Talk long ago. I'm not sure what a dry process is for painting, and searching the web didn't come up with much either. Maybe someone here will know.

"Division 3: Paint Division — Priming consists of the dip process of the body frame for anti-corrosion and the color side for painting the body panels utilizing an environmentally friendly “dry process.”"

 

[Jambe]

Since SMC can be any color I don't understand why they are going to paint them.

Maybe the paint makes the surface smoother?

 

[DWR]

Since SMC can be any color I don't understand why they are going to paint them.

View attachment 5990

Maybe the paint make the surface smoother?

I heard it was because the finish would be dull. At least Paul is going to make shiney cars for us!

 

[wizard of ahs]

Since SMC can be any color I don't understand why they are going to paint them.

View attachment 5990

Maybe the paint makes the surface smoother?

I wonder the same thing..........clear coat will take care of "smoothness / shinyness"