Dang, I almost went by there today after our Ferrari event and now I wish I had! What color was it supposed to be?
I don't know. I'm on the orphan list and received an email notice that the "one-of-a-kind paint job" smart would be available.
It sold in less than an hour. I received another email that they expect to receive two more such vehicles next month and that "these vehicles are separate from our orphan vehicles".
They did not post a photo.
I know at our Dallas smart center, they have done a lime green metallic set of panels - powdercoated from the factory. They were on a car when I went to pick up my car, and it had been sold already. Apparently they will do any color that you want for $2500/set. There was a sample rear valance in Barbie pink, and a another panel in a very retro 50's looking turquoise.
I know at our Dallas smart center, they have done a lime green metallic set of panels - powdercoated from the factory. They were on a car when I went to pick up my car, and it had been sold already. Apparently they will do any color that you want for $2500/set. There was a sample rear valance in Barbie pink, and a another panel in a very retro 50's looking turquoise.
Powdercoated plastic?
Someone is blowing smoke, 'specially when you can get an entire set of panels painted for under $1000.
Someone is blowing smoke, 'specially when you can get an entire set of panels painted for under $1000.
I agree, and I don't believe smart (Hambach) would actually have the time to knock out custom panels at this time. Your dealer is painting them, and most definitely blowing smoke.
Someone is blowing smoke, 'specially when you can get an entire set of panels painted for under $1000.
The panels ARE powdercoated from the factory and I am not susprised that they can and will custom powdercoat the panels for you if you're willing to fork out another $2,500.
With powder coating requiring a bake at 350 plus degrees for about 30 minutes minimum, how would the body panels hold their shape under that? It's also really hard to get a layer of plastic to stick to another layer of plastic by a quick melt job...it tends to flake.
I just did some research and came up with this:
Powder Coating and the Future of Plastics
Powder coating plastic surfaces represents a major growth area. In the automotive industry, plastic sheet-molded compounds receive wet finishes that take more time and are not environmentally friendly. The challenge for powder coating is getting it to stick, because the various compositions of a plastic surface make it a moving target. There is also a concern about the potential impact to the plastic from high heat exposure during the cure cycle.
The powder industry is optimistic that these challenges can be met. One custom coater in Michigan who works with the automakers said, “We’re testing the powder process to see if we can get coverage adhesion by using ultra-violet curing for powder on plastic sheet molding compounds, which also keeps the heat levels under control.”
In coating plastics, manufacturers are concentrating on such items as wheel covers, rear-view mirrors, door handles, air conditioning vents and interior clothes-hanger hooks. From top to bottom, from inside to out, powder coating takes first place at the automotive finish line.
Sounds close, but not quite there yet.
Last edited by smarticus; 06-30-2008 at 01:03 PM.
Reason: more info
I've been down this road before. The parts manager at smartcenter/Dallas told me that there is no paint used in the process. The frame and body work are powdercoated. Some rather insistent members of this site said, "no way" and I left it that since I know what I was told and I believe it, and I don't really give a rat's a$$ what they think. If you do your Internet research you'll find that there are new powdercaoting processes using UV and low-temp baking.
I mentioned it at the center again, and was told yet again that it was powdercoated.
As to whether or not they are getting the panels done at the factory or not, who knows. I know if I decide on an after market set, they'll be sprayed in my garage like other cars I've done, with HVLP.
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