Paint the Factory or Buy - Side Skirts?? - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

twick · 03-30-2012, 07:02 AM

I've heard good and bad about painting the Factory Side Skirts (2009 Smart). I'm not sure the best route to take?? My body shop guy is really good but he has never painted a Smart, not sure if that matters.
If it is better to go with new, I would like a easier install that would look good with the Carlsson kit. Any suggestions?

WhiteNBlack08 · 03-30-2012, 08:16 AM

The biggest issue with painting the factory skirts, is they will eventually chip and look like crap. If you buy the new MIC ones, they are the same color all the way through, and even if they chip, you won't be able to tell unless you get really close.

Kermit · 03-30-2012, 08:26 AM

Just what WNB said. I drive on a dirt road and mine have had the paint sandblasted off.

As far as body guy panting a smart, it is the same as painting late model bumpers (late model being 80's up)

WhiteNBlack08 · 03-30-2012, 09:49 AM

Besides, I just got a quote from smart online parts. $56 each for the MIC skirts in white. You can't even begin to paint them for that.

CABUTT · 03-30-2012, 10:45 AM

Do you have the part numbers for the white MIC side skirts?

WhiteNBlack08 · 03-30-2012, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CABUTT

Do you have the part numbers for the white MIC side skirts?

In this thread: Wrap lower mouldings?

CA8L is the code for white.

twick · 03-30-2012, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteNBlack08

Besides, I just got a quote from smart online parts. $56 each for the MIC skirts in white. You can't even begin to paint them for that.

I emailed smart online parts and mentioned the MIC skirts and Ann Marie ask if I was referring to the OEM Skirts. Are they the same kind of skirts??

Kermit · 03-30-2012, 06:09 PM

Yes, they are the OEM MIC skirts.

Stretchmobile · 03-30-2012, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twick

I emailed smart online parts and mentioned the MIC skirts and Ann Marie ask if I was referring to the OEM Skirts. Are they the same kind of skirts??

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)= factory or stock

hihosilver · 03-30-2012, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteNBlack08

The biggest issue with painting the factory skirts, is they will eventually chip and look like crap. If you buy the new MIC ones, they are the same color all the way through, and even if they chip, you won't be able to tell unless you get really close.

I'm guessing here MIC stands for Molded in Color ? Are all colors available? Are the front and rear lower pieces MIC also??.