McLaren 720S Custom Paint Job
Discussion
Inspired by the MSO Pacific Blue custom paint job on this McLaren P1, I have decided to have my white 720S permanently resprayed in the colourshift paint scheme, Blue Iris Pearl.
MSO P1 in Pacific Blue
Watch a Schmee video about the above P1 > https://youtu.be/Caq-P5hnMrU
BLUE IRIS PEARL
The colourshift effect of Blue Iris Pearl on my 720S will be the reversal of the McLaren P1 above. The dominant colour being blue, rather than purple, much like this Senna.
Watch this Video of how the Blue Iris Pearl Paint changes under different angles of light > https://youtu.be/rSFkuaTT7Mk
THE PAINTING PROCESS
The colourshift effect is achieved by first laying down a base of black paint, followed by a clear paint mixed with a very fine pearl pigment. In its raw state, the pearl pigment resembles the fine powder you would find on the wings of a butterfly or moth. It is this pigment that throws off the pearl / iridescent colour changing effect.
The pigment in its raw state, straight out of the tin.
After the pigment has been applied, a final 3 layer coat of premium clear lacquer is applied to bring out the gloss. The clear coat is manufactured by Akzo Nobel, being the same as used by McLaren. I am trying to keep it as close to OEM as possible.
GLOSS BACK
The wheels will be gloss black, as will the top of the rear spoiler, front splitter, rear diffuser, air intakes and wing mirror stalks. Underside of the spoiler will be in the Blue Iris Pearl, although I may add a full width vinyl Union Jack as a nod to being made in the UK - proud to be British.
DEEP GLOSS FINISH
All painted panels will be wet sanded / flatted to remove all traces of orange peel, and then polished to a gloss finish. This is probably the most time consuming part of the project, to achieve that show car deep gloss finish. Lastly, the paint will be protected with Xpel PPF and a Ceramic coating.
PREPARING THE 720S
The car has been fully stripped of its bodywork, and is currently being prepared for painting. A full car sized wooden jig is being constructed within the spray booth to mount the body panels in the same layout as they appear on the car. This layout achieves a consistent depth of paint and spray pattern as the painter manoeuvres around the panels. It is time consuming, but I want the best possible finish, with no evidence that the car was originally white. This isn’t the usual mask up and spray paint job.
Credit to Daniel Hall of Paint-Tech in Bristol UK for taking on such a challenge. He did a fantastic job respraying my Can Am Spyder in Volcano Orange. Daniel is a McLaren enthusiast and owns a 570S.
https://www.facebook.com/paint.tecbristol/
Further pictures and videos to follow as the project progresses.....
MSO P1 in Pacific Blue
Watch a Schmee video about the above P1 > https://youtu.be/Caq-P5hnMrU
BLUE IRIS PEARL
The colourshift effect of Blue Iris Pearl on my 720S will be the reversal of the McLaren P1 above. The dominant colour being blue, rather than purple, much like this Senna.
Watch this Video of how the Blue Iris Pearl Paint changes under different angles of light > https://youtu.be/rSFkuaTT7Mk
THE PAINTING PROCESS
The colourshift effect is achieved by first laying down a base of black paint, followed by a clear paint mixed with a very fine pearl pigment. In its raw state, the pearl pigment resembles the fine powder you would find on the wings of a butterfly or moth. It is this pigment that throws off the pearl / iridescent colour changing effect.
The pigment in its raw state, straight out of the tin.
After the pigment has been applied, a final 3 layer coat of premium clear lacquer is applied to bring out the gloss. The clear coat is manufactured by Akzo Nobel, being the same as used by McLaren. I am trying to keep it as close to OEM as possible.
GLOSS BACK
The wheels will be gloss black, as will the top of the rear spoiler, front splitter, rear diffuser, air intakes and wing mirror stalks. Underside of the spoiler will be in the Blue Iris Pearl, although I may add a full width vinyl Union Jack as a nod to being made in the UK - proud to be British.
DEEP GLOSS FINISH
All painted panels will be wet sanded / flatted to remove all traces of orange peel, and then polished to a gloss finish. This is probably the most time consuming part of the project, to achieve that show car deep gloss finish. Lastly, the paint will be protected with Xpel PPF and a Ceramic coating.
PREPARING THE 720S
The car has been fully stripped of its bodywork, and is currently being prepared for painting. A full car sized wooden jig is being constructed within the spray booth to mount the body panels in the same layout as they appear on the car. This layout achieves a consistent depth of paint and spray pattern as the painter manoeuvres around the panels. It is time consuming, but I want the best possible finish, with no evidence that the car was originally white. This isn’t the usual mask up and spray paint job.
Credit to Daniel Hall of Paint-Tech in Bristol UK for taking on such a challenge. He did a fantastic job respraying my Can Am Spyder in Volcano Orange. Daniel is a McLaren enthusiast and owns a 570S.
https://www.facebook.com/paint.tecbristol/
Further pictures and videos to follow as the project progresses.....
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 23 May 06:28
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 3rd June 23:42
Leftfootwonder said:
Like this?
I'm only kidding. The 720S is a wonderful looking car and I shall watch this with interest.
TBH, I am sI'm only kidding. The 720S is a wonderful looking car and I shall watch this with interest.
tting myself if it doesn’t come out as imagined. These colours are very marmite and can be chavvy if not done correctly. The high gloss orange peel free finish is what makes the main difference.
RBT0 said:
Wow, simply wow.
Please post any pictures here as well.
It's a big tear up.
Why not giving the job to Topaz with their TopazSkin solution?
I’ve looked at PPS but they never come out as well as a proper repaint. They generally lose the gloss over time and start to fade. I want a super high gloss finish.Please post any pictures here as well.
It's a big tear up.
Why not giving the job to Topaz with their TopazSkin solution?
It’s really interesting to see the 720S laid bare. There’s a lot going on under the skin. Did you know that there are two bolts holding the rear window in place. Remove them and the window pops out.
Lots of pictures to follow as the project progresses.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 22 May 15:42
Leftfootwonder said:
I certainly doff my cap for your bravery sir, but why not go for it! In this day and age of resale grey or black cars, it's rare you see anything that really catches the eye. The 720 is a wildly exciting car and should stand out. 
I’m not sure if anyone has ever done this to a 720S in the UK. I know quite a few different owners. It will be unique, that’s for sure.Capcom said:
Isn't the McLaren colour called Pacific Stream?
Similar to the 675LT Spider out there that is Amazon Stream?
Look forward to seeing the result!
McLaren MSO will do any colour you want. The paint products are supplied by Akzo Nobel. My car will be sprayed using Akzo Nobel products, so trying to keep it as close to OEM as possible. Similar to the 675LT Spider out there that is Amazon Stream?
Look forward to seeing the result!
HIS LM said:
Wow that is the dogs gonads my friend all credit and makes a refreshing change from the usual bks (dreamers) on here going about depreciation
As a fellow hammer (iron) loving the Figaro if you ever get bored please pm
It’s the other arfs car, named Bobby. She will be buried in it. ks (dreamers) on here going about depreciationAs a fellow hammer (iron) loving the Figaro if you ever get bored please pm
CharlesElliott said:
I'm not a fan of the flip colour (which is personal choice) but I absolutely admire you for doing something bold and different. NIce one.
I’ve tried to keep it to a 2 x shade, flipping between blue and purple - blue is the dominant colour. There is a very slight orange tint at a very acute angle, but only slight.Until I saw pictures of flip paint on the P1 and a few Senna’s, I too wasn’t a fan. Somehow, McLaren’s can get away with lairy and bright paint schemes.I am genuinely worried that I may be making an awful f
k up with the flip paint tho.My original plan was to change the colour to Jaguar French Racing Blue. I had it on an XKR-S. It looked fantastic.
650spider said:
Loving this thread already MAC.
I would be delighted with you making it as pic heavy as possible...Thorney was trying to explain how technical it was underneath and you knocked it out the the park with 1st pic.
We have discussed paints before...i love how my volcano orange car changes colour all day long, with my favourite shade being early dusk...just stunning...i actually keep it out on the driveway now and constantly get caught having a peek at it like a total geek.
Your colour will be even more so.
Top work fella.
Lots of pics coming. I would be delighted with you making it as pic heavy as possible...Thorney was trying to explain how technical it was underneath and you knocked it out the the park with 1st pic.
We have discussed paints before...i love how my volcano orange car changes colour all day long, with my favourite shade being early dusk...just stunning...i actually keep it out on the driveway now and constantly get caught having a peek at it like a total geek.
Your colour will be even more so.
Top work fella.
k20erham said:
Hi, you are right about it being Akzo Noble paint it's the Autowave 2 system, your problem will be that you cannot buy it, only through Mclaren.
It gets supplied to Mclaren ready mixed but there is no RAL number or anything else on the tin except the name they gave it, the formulas of the tint weights ETC are a much guarded fact, and the application is critical, it will not matter really doing the whole car so long as your chap remembers what he ordered but it will not be the same as one painted at the factory.
As the other post states it just looks like a MG flip when it's on and in my opinion does not suit a 720, P1 yes as it is curvier, but each to their own I guess, anyways top marks to your chap, splitting the doors is a proper barstuard !!
Vaga blue, Burton blue, and Lantana purple suit it the best.
Very interesting that it does not suit a 720. Have you seen a 720S in flip paint or do you have any photo's please? I've looked high and low on the net but cannot find any.It gets supplied to Mclaren ready mixed but there is no RAL number or anything else on the tin except the name they gave it, the formulas of the tint weights ETC are a much guarded fact, and the application is critical, it will not matter really doing the whole car so long as your chap remembers what he ordered but it will not be the same as one painted at the factory.
As the other post states it just looks like a MG flip when it's on and in my opinion does not suit a 720, P1 yes as it is curvier, but each to their own I guess, anyways top marks to your chap, splitting the doors is a proper barstuard !!
Vaga blue, Burton blue, and Lantana purple suit it the best.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 22 May 20:26
I take onboard there is a risk that it may end up looking like an MG flip paint but I think it is down to the shape of the car, more than just reliant on the paint.
Take a look at this Porsche 911 done in a flip paint > https://youtu.be/hFrpJ1IYGH0
The Porsche works well because of the curvaceous body, but it wouldn’t look good on a slab sided square saloon. The 720S has more curves and ducts than most cars on the road, which is why I think it will work. Fingers crossed.
Take a look at this Porsche 911 done in a flip paint > https://youtu.be/hFrpJ1IYGH0
The Porsche works well because of the curvaceous body, but it wouldn’t look good on a slab sided square saloon. The 720S has more curves and ducts than most cars on the road, which is why I think it will work. Fingers crossed.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 23 May 06:18
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Do you get to chose the exact mix of pigment in the paint? The one glaring fault with these colours is if you stand at the wrong angle you end up getting 75% of the car looking one colour.
No bad thing but (I think it was) the MINI flip colour goes a sort of turd brown at a certain angle-not a good look! I think it was the gold in the flip.
As you say OP, this may not be such a problem in the complex shape of the 720S compared to a MINI.
I’m putting full trust in Paint-Tec to get it right. With exception of the side aero blades on the 720, I don’t think there are any other flat panels. I think it could be why flip paints tend to work on TVR’s.No bad thing but (I think it was) the MINI flip colour goes a sort of turd brown at a certain angle-not a good look! I think it was the gold in the flip.
As you say OP, this may not be such a problem in the complex shape of the 720S compared to a MINI.
IMI A said:
Make sure you make them keep a pot of paint if it lasts and tuck it away. Wish I'd asked for this when ordering PTS. Very hard to colour match later 
Ahead of the game on that. I have ordered double the amount of pigment from the US supplier in the event it gets discontinued. Paint will be mixed and stored away and there will be a full documented project diary for when I come to sell it including mix rates etc.
650spider said:
Now THAT is a strip down.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 23 May 11:56
PushedDover said:
I was thinking the same. Commendable when I am sure it is not a cheap job to be done this way vs value of car etc....
It’s a long term keeper so cost versus value isn’t that relevant to me. It is an April 2019 model with harness bar, 360 camera, track cameras + track software, extended paddles, and decent amount of CF. Soon to have P1 CF bucket seats installed.ricky.rep said:
Going to look fantastic Mick!
Fair play for walking the untrodden path!
Now you are making it look like a P1........when you going to let me make it go like a P1?
Keep the pics coming sir!!
Cheers Ricky
It’s quick enough. Once the paint has settled, I’ll be dropping in for Jordan to do the PPF. You can stick it on the dyno and have a play.Fair play for walking the untrodden path!
Now you are making it look like a P1........when you going to let me make it go like a P1?
Keep the pics coming sir!!
Cheers Ricky
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