tturner2b

After seeing 2 flat/satin/matte black cars on the road in the past month, I am seriously considering painting mine that way. I have not seen an A6 or S6 with that kind of exterior but online there are some cool photos of other model Ausi's and other brands (a couple of which I have attached).

Has anyone actually done this to one of their cars? If so did you sand and then apply a satin clear coat or totally repaint? Is the maintenance as painful as people say?

BVegas

I saw a 2008 Range Rover (full size) in matte black, it was amazing. BUT -- I really do want to know what it looks like after 3 years outside. Have not seen how it holds up.

tturner2b

I hear you. For me it may hold up better. I live in the city and don't use it during the week. So it is in a covered garage 24 hours a day except for 4-6 days per month.

chuckee98

You might want to consider a full vinyl wrap in the flat black. That way, it's reversible without damage to the paint. If you choose to repaint, you'll take a hit in the resale value of the car regardless of how good the paint job is since it is no longer original.

camerri

+ 1 on the vinyl.

http://picasaweb.google.com/skinzwra...apsMatteBlack#

tturner2b

Certainly the vinyl looks really nice in the photos. I sent those skinzwraps guys an email to get some info. My main concern was how it would look up close (wrinkles, etc.) and also what the maintenance process is like. On various sites on the web though, it looks like vinyl has been used on some exotics so assuming the installer is good it must produce a very nice look when completed.

jbone487

tturner, i'm looking to do the exact same thing to my car. let me know what you learn about the actual paint job and the vinyl wrapping and what you decide.

mikegilbert

Most exotics you see are done with a vinyl wrap.

tturner2b

According to everything I have read, the vinyl wrap is the overwhelming choice for a matte black exterior. In the New York area skinzwraps and impressive auto are the two shops mentioned most frequently as doing high quality work. There seem to be significantly more shops on the west coast that do vinyl wraps (maybe because of better weather and thus longer expected lifespan of the product?). In any case I have yet to get price quotes but I think that it costs 2500 or so for a high quality job depending on the vehicle and type of film used. Ill post again once I get some quotes.

kemer1

Here are a few pics of a Matte black RS6 Avant. That should give you some idea of what yours will look like...







And as far as Vinyl goes... I had my Passat Wagon done with vinyl and the upkeep was easy. Keep it clean, and make sure you keep it from drying out with regular washes and a good polish. Nothing out of the ordinary. And here are a few shameless pic whoring of the B6 Variant







I say get it wrapped for a few hundred...may be a grand and see if you like it. If you do you can have it peeled off and painted, if not then just peel it off and you're only out the small amount not several thousand and then another several to have it painted back.