I did a search and couldn't find this particular question posed yet;
(and this is superficially an exterior question, so Mods: please move if this post is mis-catagorized in technical... I wasn't sure.)

I have a Black Limited Coupe, I'm having the windshield surround, grille, and possibly door handles painted O.E. black....
Here is my desire / question;
I would like to have the front and rear wings, side strakes, rear "crossfire" lettering, doorsills, and possibly door handles done in copper plate. (as opposed to chrome) I would also be happy with a brass or bronze finish.

I realize copper plating is possible, but is incredibly difficult to keep from tarnishing, and will often tarnish beneath a clearcoat if not done absolutely perfectly. (unlikely)
Is there any good way to do this?

I don't know as much about a brass or bronze coating process, or how feasable would they be compared to copper. (?)

I also know there are some nice alloy-look powdercoats, but plastic and ovens don't mix...

Are there quality (available to my local bodyshop, Ie; PPG, SIKKENS, etc.) paints that accurately replicate a true metalic finish like a plating job would?
I really think these warm metals would perfectly compliment the (black) coupes art deco styling, but ultimately I really want to achieve a true alloy look.
(And I HATE gold or chrome. )

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions?
Anyone have any experience here?
Thanks guys!

 

I like where you are going with this, sorry I do not have more info to share, but would like to see how it works out...

 

Duplicolor makes a "Metal Specks" copper. Used with a clear coat finish it may be OK. I've used the metal specks line on a few outdoor/garden projects and it's held up well on both plastic and metal over the years.

 

I seem to recall that FP had posted something a while back about a company who's colors are mirror bight for painting the entire car to look metalic.

The results were awesome duplications of metal colors.

I did not save it and have not found it via the(?) search engine here.

I would sen him a PM.

 

Advanced search, use 'FP' and 'metal paint' and you get;
https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...tml#post594392
Simple!

 

OK friendly fire, there ya go!

 

Ahhhh Advanced search!
I only ever used the generic search, and was slogging through pages....
Thanks 180, and everyone else.
Just recently acquired my coupe, and have been spending long minutes looking at it and contemplating what it needs...
(not much)

That copper "ghost chrome" from ALSA looks outstanding. Just what I had in mind.
I think this will be totally different, while still keeping with the cars tasteful design.
Finances will dictate how quickly all this happens, but I will post results for sure!

(and still open to creative ideas here.)

 

I agree with Boilerup. Your concept sounds amazing. Black and Brass, awesome.

Good luck with the execution of it.


franc

 

Well, I have to give credit where credit is due, I thought it was a Valk post but you said FP. There again though I should have known as FP is a synonym for chrome.

 

I really like copper. It's probably my favorite color.
But what's wrong with Black and Gold?
Chrysler Corporation was actually the first to start the Black and Gold "theme" car line.

 

I'd be interested to see which option you come up with! Maybe you can get it done in time for the CAA in July.

 

When I ran a powder coat shop we had low temp powder for plastics and such. Not as tough as reg powder but close enough

 

On a '57 Chrysler 300C, Black and gold is stunning.
But it had 26 lbs of gold chrome covering 580 square feet of car.
A totally different animal.
Gold "trim" is so overused to "luxury-up" cars these days... Ohhh my beige Camry has the gold package.... bleck.
Chrome to me, though far less tacky, is still overused.

One of the things I have always liked about the XF is that it's not like anything else out there. I like to be different.

Nobody (other than the occasional lowrider/showcar) ever uses copper, probably because it does tarnish, but It's a beautiful deep warm metal,
And looking at the car, it's art-deco lines, and my minds eye just sees copper there. I can't wait to get it done now.

To that end, I'll be lucky if I have the A-pillars and grille painted (and maybe some CICCI swag) to show off, itsky.
I have a feeling the costs involved in having all the ancilliary bits done in Copper is going to take some saving for. I'm actually on a pretty tight budget; the purchase of the XF itself is eating all my "spare" money.

 

Also, I am still torn;
Looking at the car, I can't tell if it would look better with the handles painted O.E. black, or done in copper.
I think it would look good either way, but my gut kinda says black. (since the windshield surround will be black, and I have a deep 5% rear 15% side tint)
I also want to avoid "overblinging" the car, and the stock N/A wheels (which I happen to like) will ultimately be finished in copper as well.
Thoughts?

 

There are a lot of members here who have painted everything black. The "black-out" look looks good. A copper color would be unique for sure.

 

Copper on the handles and the wheels might look good. Boiler up did a more subtle combo and it looks gret. i wold consider brass over the copper. Side strakes, handles and wheels but leave the windshield surround black. It would be a little too mucn bling and,,,,,,it is not goodfor the driver to have a bright reflective color on the windsheild surround.

Whatever you do here, I do like the direction you are taking.



roadster with a stick

 

I think if you went with a "burnt" copper it would look very nice. I also hate gold packages on cars - it is so 90's (every other Honda on the lot had it done). I think some of the darker, deeper metallics that you see these days in fashion would look amazing. This may sound a little out of the box, but have you considered checking out some of the popular nail polish colors right now. You can buy them on the cheap & paint a little piece of scrap. Might give you an idea what color you would like on the car. Kind of like paint chips on your wall.

 

Copper, hands-down.

I immediately thought of msheredy's photoshop he did a few years back:



Now... follow me here... All silver/chrome OEM accents are changed over to copper, save for the windshield surround.... Now, do a nice staggered-fitment wheel with a substantial lip on the rear, and have the wheel face in black, with a copper lip... and, eventually, throw some nice meaty calipers behind them and paint them copper (AMG 6-pot calipers, anyone?). This would be a true head-turner.

And a head-turner like nothing else on the road.

You must do this, man...

 

JHM2K (and msheredy) pretty much nailed what I am going for. The Eibach kit will be coming soon(ish) as it is so reasonably priced.
Similar wheels are a long ways out. I'll be doing good just to get my N/A wheels done, but I'm thinking blacking the spokes and copper on the lip.

Thanks for the image too, helps to invision how mine will look.

 

We have a Powder Coating shop near by that I have seen some nice copper looking items come out of, just maybe if you have a shop in the area, you could ask.