# If you wanted to paint a car yellow, **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 15, 2020, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196 "2020-08-15T19:02:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hilary\_Algar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilary_algar/32/4282_2.png) [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/1 "2020-08-15T19:02:08Z")
If you were looking to buy a new yellow car for a model that you wanted but, regrettably, that model was not offered in yellow, what color car would you choose with the intention of painting it yellow. I’m thinking that some colors might be easier for a professional to paint over from a technical standpoint. There may also be numerous other factors to consider regarding new car color choice. So, what is the best color? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/2 "2020-08-15T19:03:12Z")
I’m not an expert but my understanding is that white is the easiest color to paint over. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/3 "2020-08-15T19:17:35Z")
The color is irrelevant. If they do it right, the original paint is removed, it is sanded down to the bare metal, and then re-primed and re-painted. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/4 "2020-08-15T19:29:24Z")
Beowulff is probably correct, but I think you’d be best off asking the body shop what would make their lives the easiest. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/5 "2020-08-15T19:30:37Z")
Alternatively, rather than spending $10000 to have a car professionally stripped and re-painted I would be more likely to simply have a high quality vinyl wrap done. [http://www.restyleitwraps.com/sunflower-yellow-mustang/](http://www.restyleitwraps.com/sunflower-yellow-mustang/) ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/6 "2020-08-15T20:53:13Z")
> [@swampspruce](#): > > Alternatively, rather than spending $10000 to have a car professionally stripped and re-painted I would be more likely to simply have a high quality vinyl wrap done. How much does that cost? It looks just as labor intensive as painting. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/8 "2020-08-15T22:16:56Z")
What is the lifetime of that vs. factory paint? Is it resistant to dings or does it tear easily? ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/9 "2020-08-15T22:29:38Z")
Dang. I deleted my own post. I don’t know how that happened. **CookingWithGas** , I don’t think I ever found out about that. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/10 "2020-08-15T22:47:17Z")
It really isn’t. If you’re doing a new car the prep is minimal and in most cases a top notch wrap will run about $2-3000 all in. Still not cheap and you could conceivably DIY it, but I’ve seen the home jobs and they’re just not as good as having it done by the pros. Done at a good shop a new paint job should last as long as factory, but it will be expensive and the shop should offer a warranty. My earlier post should have said $10k+. There’s a lot of labour in pulling a car apart, and going through the process @Beowolff describes. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2020, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/11 "2020-08-15T22:52:03Z")
There’s another technology that is pretty interesting: > **[DipYourCar - World Famous Peelable Auto Paint](https://www.dipyourcar.com)** > > DipYourCar.com is your go-to resource for peelable auto paint, accessories, tutorials, and more! Browse our Dip Pearls, Plasti Dip® for sale, and more! It’s not as rugged as paint, but is supposed to last a few years, and then you can peal it off and re-dip-it, any color you want. ---
**Author:** ![Hilary\_Algar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilary_algar/32/4282_2.png) [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/12 "2020-08-16T03:28:13Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I think you’d be best off asking the body shop what would make their lives the easiest. Shoulda thoughta that. (Smacks self upside the head) ---
**Author:** ![am77494](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d2c977/32.png) [@am77494](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/am77494)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/13 "2020-08-16T04:01:24Z")
Howsoever, you may change the color of a new car (strip down and paint or vinyl wrap or dip …), it won’t have same finish, details and longevity of a car painted at the factory. I can totally understand you wanting to do it, though. Is it a possibility for you to consider leasing a car that is factory painted yellow ? If so, money wise it may work out the same or even better. Amazon has a good list of 2020 cars that are yellow in color : [Amazon.com](https://www.amazon.com/Vehicles-Yellow/s?i=vehicles&bbn=10677469011&rh=n%3A10677469011%2Cp_n_size_browse-vebin%3A2569830011%2Cp_n_model_year%3A19205549011&dc&qid=1597550355&rnid=12474313011&ref=is_r_p_n_model_year_1) ---
**Author:** ![engineer\_comp\_geek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/engineer_comp_geek/32/504_2.png) [@engineer\_comp\_geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/engineer_comp_geek)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/14 "2020-08-16T04:16:22Z")
> [@MindsEye\_Watering](#): > > Dang. I deleted my own post. I don’t know how that happened. I fixed it for you. ---
**Author:** ![Chickenwrangler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chickenwrangler/32/91_2.png) [@Chickenwrangler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chickenwrangler)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/15 "2020-08-16T11:04:23Z")
In Thailand certain colors are considered lucky. If the car you want is not available in a lucky color you can get a bumper sticker saying this car is whatever lucky color you think it should be. Everybody including the color spirits are happy 👍 ---
**Author:** ![Hilary\_Algar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilary_algar/32/4282_2.png) [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/16 "2020-08-16T16:47:49Z")
> [@am77494](#): > > Is it a possibility for you to consider leasing a car that is factory painted yellow ? Appreciate the suggestion However, the only car that I really, really want is not available from the factory in yellow. Thank you ---
**Author:** ![Hilary\_Algar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilary_algar/32/4282_2.png) [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/17 "2020-08-16T16:49:18Z")
I am stunned at the brilliance of this idea! You really made my day. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/18 "2020-08-16T17:16:22Z")
Having ordered or participated in a bunch of custom re-paints and body customs, albeit decades ago … Lesser paint jobs can be had that don’t go so far as to completely disassemble the car. Which has the effect that the old color still exists in nooks and crannies and underneath bolt heads and such. None of these partials are show-winners, but they don’t have to look like backyard garbage either. If you were forced to go that way for whatever reason (likely $$) you’d want to buy a car with an innocuous light shade as close to your chosen color as possible. E.g. given a yellow target, white or tan might be good choices; black or blue would not. Unrelated thought: make sure you know the exact paint brand and color and part number was used to custom-paint your car. A fender bender later with custom paint can be a bear to fix without a total repaint if that precise info isn’t available. ---
**Author:** ![Hilary\_Algar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilary_algar/32/4282_2.png) [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2020, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/19 "2020-08-16T23:13:31Z")
Sage advice Thank you ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/20 "2020-08-17T19:53:47Z")
To expand on what LSLGuy wrote. A true re-color job paints ALL the visible metal. The biggest job is the engine compartment. Take at look at the car you want and see if how much underhood is paint. Most cars have the inner fenders and such painted, while a truck might have plastic panels. If it’s all paint, they may even have to pull the engine. A mismatched engine compartment color is an instant give away that the car has been repainted. All the inner door and sill needs to be painted, this requires removing the door panels and all the rubber seals, etc. Ditto for the trunk. So when you talk to a local paint shop make sure they are quoting a complete re-paint unless you are OK with a white engine compartment. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2020, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196/21 "2020-08-17T20:02:57Z")
What did you fix? The Dang? Did you delete his own post, is that fixing in your chips? Or does he know now how it happened? Please be more precise. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-wanted-to-paint-a-car-yellow/918196.md?page=2)