Milford Proving Grounds meeting / 5thgen thoughts.....

[35th02ss]

I wouldn't count on GM offering the bumblebee paint color. Costs way to much. The three winners have been drawn. The funny thing, one of them didn't want the car.

[Blizzard]

^^I'll take it.^^

[MerF]

Originally Posted by 35th02ss

I wouldn't count on GM offering the bumblebee paint color. Costs way to much. The three winners have been drawn. The funny thing, one of them didn't want the car.

That doesn't even make sense. It's a color, one "color" doesn't cost more than another. Now the application process that Saleen used on the actual Bumble car(s) would not be practical for a street car, but they could probably mix an orange/yellow hue that would come close enough for the average consumer.

[DGthe3]

Not all colours cost the same. The actual pigment cost doesn't change much from one to the next, but additives like metal flake and pearl can add a fair bit. Plus I think that the bumblebee colour shifted between yellow and a more orangey colour, not possitive though. If so, fancy paints like that cost alot. And then there is the application process as well.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by 35th02ss

The three winners have been drawn. The funny thing, one of them didn't want the car.

Have they been announced? Or is this just a 'known' thing -- it's just the first time I'm hearing of it....cool!

but, +1 to everything. Shifting color, application, etc = expensive paintjob, and not practical for a factory to do. Thought, I don't doubt they can get close. A deep/dark yellow would look nice.

[Rallysport]

Originally Posted by aston70

I have worked in a body shop before and I remember that some colors do cost more than others. We used dupont paint, and only one time ppg. Not thousands of dollars more, but probably about 30% more in many cases. Seems like anything chromabase that had any red or pearl in it was more.

Well, I have owned a bodyshop for 24 years. Unfortunately, colors containing pearl or red pigment ARE more expensive. If you look at certain cars, some colors are an extra-cost option. Example: Red pearl tintcoat. What is a tintcoat? A freakin' semi-transparent red color coat applied after a pearl basecoat, then covered with clearcoat. Basically a candy paint job from the factory, and you get charged more 'cuz the cost of materials, and extra step involved. SO...some colors ARE more expensive, period. Sorry, Merf.

[MerF]

Ok, again you guys are talking about the finish of the paint (pearl, irredescent, etc) not the color. Yeah, you want the color scheme from the movie and you're paying huge...but a yellow/orange solid paint with a clear coat over it shouldn't be so much more than a black or blue with the same "finish" on it.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Right. If anything, it might be one of those ~$500 premium colors that some cars have options for.

[MerF]

I'll give you that...but I was more referring to the comments that the only way to make the Bumblee replica would be a $10k cost...which is just silly.

[Z-Lover]

Originally Posted by MerF

I'll give you that...but I was more referring to the comments that the only way to make the Bumblee replica would be a $10k cost...which is just silly.

No, the 10k cost is what the bumblebee cost to produce.... obviously if your going to make 100,000 of them, the cost would come down, but I do think the nature of the bumblebee paint job would cost more than say, black.

Why? The bumblebee paint was a 12 layer paint job. Several layers of pearl, and different types of pearl additives to give different reflections. If you watch/read about some of the "hot-rod" cars (Foose, etc), it is not uncommon to have 12-20 layer paint jobs (esp those paints that change colour from different angles).

So, GM could offer a "similar" paint job, that is say, a off-tint yellow with a pearl coat for say $1000 more (typical Pearl cost), and it would look similar but not "exactly". Kinda like my girl... she doesn't look exactly like Megan Fox, but "close enough" to wash my yellow camaro in Daisy dukes.

So, do I lay in bed at night and hope that GM will make a "true-ish" bumblebee paint job, YES! But I also think that there is a *chance* that GM will keep it exclusive... I just hope for more than "Velocity Yellow"

P.S.. no replies asking for pics

[Mr. Wyndham]

I'll be honest, here...I'm not entirely sure where this 10k cost-figure came from...if it's because the Bumblebee cars were listed for 40k on the giveaway -- keep in mind those cars are gonna be loaded, and limited edition...

So, yeah - the paint's still expensive...but I don't believe it's $10 thousand--expensive.

[Scotsman]

Hopefully we'll get to at the very least see those cars eh? I bet they're wayyyyyyyyy sick!

[GTAHVIT]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

I'll be honest, here...I'm not entirely sure where this 10k cost-figure came from...if it's because the Bumblebee cars were listed for 40k on the giveaway -- keep in mind those cars are gonna be loaded, and limited edition...

So, yeah - the paint's still expensive...but I don't believe it's $10 thousand--expensive.

It's possible, I've seen Harley tanks a fenders with 15K plus paint jobs. Let alone custom cars.

But a car that is going to get throttled durring filming??? I can see why you'd say that 10k seems a bit much. That makes sense. Maybe it's 10K to recreate it at a custom paint shop? I don't think I'd go to Earl Scheib and ask for bumble bee paint.

[ChrisL]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

I don't believe it's $10 thousand--expensive.

If I recall, the bumblebee paints jobs were over $20k each.