How to Design Car Paint Schemes

People express themselves in a multitude of ways, whether it is a tattoo or their clothing. People can also express themselves through their cars. Gone are the basic jet black and cherry red paint schemes and in is the screaming orange and lime green. Drivers express their personalities through the images and colors that they splatter on their cars. With a little imagination and some research, you, too, can have an exuberant car that grabs everyone's attention.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Brainstorm ideas. The paint is one of the first things that someone will notice about your car. Think about how you'd like to express yourself through your car. Some people will design the paint themes around a certain image, like a rose or skulls, and other people will have the colors copy their favorite sports team's colors.

2. Attend classic car shows. Many of the owners design their cars' paint schemes on their own. Use their cars for inspirations and don't be afraid to ask them questions. Pay attention to which colors go well together and what ideas you would like to incorporate into your paint scheme.

3. Read custom car magazines and visit Websites. Between these two media, there are millions of photos published with custom paint schemes.

4. Find a professional near you who has a good reputation. The last thing you want to do is get a bad paint job because you didn't do your research. Ask your friends, fellow racers or people in the local car clubs where they would suggest going. It may be pricier than you like, but in the end the money will be well worth it.

5. Develop a relationship with the professional who is painting your car. The more you communication with the painter, the more your vision will come to life. Be ready to bring paint swatches and pictures to make your dream a reality.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't go overboard with your color choices. A general rule of thumb is to keep two to three shades of color in your theme.
• If you don't know what you're doing, don't attempt to paint your car yourself.

Resources

• Rod and Custom Magazine