McLaren 720S Custom Paint Job

[anonymous-user]

Now that I know how to embed Youtube Videos into PH, I can post up more.

[Don1]

A) Really impressed by the packaging in the car. McLaren have worked at that.
B) Love the colour, but you know TVR look best in flip/cascade paints

[mcl570]

MAC 720S said:

Rear right arch panel placed temporarily to see what it looks like. Daniel the painter is teasing me. The video isn’t the best quality due to compression when he sent it to me.

Looks amazing! Question - What are you going to do with the calipers?

[MDL111]

Very cool and thanks for sharing the journey
Always loved TVRs with flip paint, so a McLaren seems like a perfect car to do the same to me (not sure it would work on a Porsche or a Ferrari for some reason)

[RBT0]

Calipers should be either gloss black or polished aluminium imho.

[IMI A]

Already looking fantastic. Very jealous.

[LaurasOtherHalf]

RBT0 said:

Calipers should be either gloss black or polished aluminium imho.

Think the OP is remaining with black wheels so orange might just be the clash needed.

Silver wheels with silver callipers would look good to my eyes but it’s the OPs option and who are we to disagree?!

[anonymous-user]

This looks great, looking forward to seeing the finished article. I think I'd leave the calipers as is - they will provide a nice contrast and focal point, and can always be done later if needed.

[RBT0]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

RBT0 said:

Calipers should be either gloss black or polished aluminium imho.

Think the OP is remaining with black wheels so orange might just be the clash needed.

Silver wheels with silver callipers would look good to my eyes but it’s the OPs option and who are we to disagree?!

Orange doesnt make sense with that MSO colour. Black calipers better with black wheels then.

[anonymous-user]

mcl570 said:

Looks amazing! Question - What are you going to do with the calipers?

The callipers will remain orange. I think they will contrast well with the body colour and the dark gold wheels.

The top of the air brake, front splitter, rear diffuser, mirror stalks and all palladium coloured plastics will be painted high gloss black. Even the side window surrounds are removed and will be painted gloss black.

Check this video out.

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 30th May 14:59

[anonymous-user]

Will be going with Porsche Aurum Gold Satin for the wheels.

Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 30th May 15:49

[mcl570]

[quote=MAC 720S]Will be going with Porsche Aurum Gold Satin for the wheels.

Edited by MAC 720S on Saturday 30th May 15:49

[/quote

I must take my hat off to you - such a ballsy project but my it will look fantastic.

[likesachange]

Question is... The cost. I recon this could be cheaper than if you speccd the clour from factory anyway? Once theyve nailed one surely the second one will be a breeze... whats a few bolts, whip off panels and slap a bit of paint on.

[anonymous-user]

likesachange said:

Question is... The cost. I recon this could be cheaper than if you speccd the clour from factory anyway? Once theyve nailed one surely the second one will be a breeze... whats a few bolts, whip off panels and slap a bit of paint on.

I’ve been sworn to secrecy on the cost, but yes, much less than factory. Taking panels off isn’t as difficult as some may think. It was all done by one guy in less than a day. Putting it back together will take approx 2 to 3 days as there are consumable items that need to be replaced such as bonding tape. Alignment of panels and being careful not to scratch it will add to the time.

I can say that the paint materials were approx £3K, including the Didspade Colourshift pearlescent pigment which was shipped over from the US. The actual paint itself is from AkzoNobel, being the same supplier that McLaren uses. The McLaren colour code palettes are shrouded in secrecy and will not be released by AkzoNobel, but with this being a one-off, it isn’t that relevant. One thing for sure, is that when I come to sell it, the new owner doesn’t need to worry about a huge MSO repair cost if it gets scratched. I have even purchased double the quantity of pigment in the event of a repair being needed, or if the pigment is discontinued. Mix rates, air pressures, spray gun types etc are all documented.

Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 31st May 02:01

[RBT0]

Having this such attention to details and documentations is no doubt going to increase the value of your 720S, well done.

[anonymous-user]

RBT0 said:

Having this such attention to details and documentations is no doubt going to increase the value of your 720S, well done.

The only potential issue I can foresee is if the dreaded body panel corrosion appears that affects some of the cars. McLaren could potentially claim that the corrosion warranty is void, but as I have not compromised the actual surface of the raw panel, I don’t think it would be a strong argument. Anyways, my car is a 2019 model which I understand does not suffer from corrosion and McLaren is not at all an unreasonable company to deal with.

[anonymous-user]

Update: Painting of the ancillary body plastics in High-Gloss Black commences.

If carbon fibre is not available and/or not specified when built, the plastic parts are supplied in a gloss dark grey colour which McLaren call “palladium”, as seen in the below 570S picture.


My 720S has the rear armadillo and batwing engine covers in CF, as well as the rear-view mirror covers, bonnet vents and rear air scoops, but everything else is Palladium. I decided to have all plastic parts painted in a high gloss black finish, which should contrast better with the Iris Blue bodywork.

KEY FOB
Nice touch to paint the rear of the key fob in the main body colour. I did not spec this but came as a nice surprise.



REAR SPOILER
I specced the rear spoiler / airbrake to have the top section in gloss black and underneath to be Iris Blue. Once it has been sanded and polished, the spoiler should look epic when viewed from behind with its two contrasting colour schemes.



REAR VALANCE


PAINTING JIG
Rear diffuser and various parts attached to Jig.






REAR DIFFUSER
This thing is large, and it picks up a lot of road st. It will need some decent PPF to protect it.

• Note: The above pics are straight after painting. The parts need to be sanded and polished.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 1st June 22:03

[PushedDover]

Amazing job.
mentioning the PPF of the Rear valance - is now(ish) the best time to PPF, if you give a little longer to harden the paint ?
(II know nothing about PPF application, but surely access etc has to be easier and quicker ?

[IMI A]

Mac 720s. How long will you have to wait before PPF? Looks fab.

[anonymous-user]

IMI A said:

Mac 720s. How long will you have to wait before PPF? Looks fab.

I’ve been told to give it 4 weeks to allow the solvents to properly evaporate and for the paint to properly cure. The car will be garaged and then dropped off for PPF.