Why Just One Color?

[E90400K]

I get the idea of eliminating a paint shop.

 

[Count Orlok]

I get the idea of eliminating a paint shop and using a single slate gray color and wrapping it to reduce manufacturing costs. But the color is molded into the plastic (via dye pellets), so why not produce panels in a few base colors? It doesn't increase the manufacturing cost.

a lot of people will want to wrap it anyway to look cooler on those Costco runs.

 

[The Weatherman]

For only one reason….. Cost!

The factory would have to inventory multiple colors, in multiple bins, with multiple order control and inventory management.

 

[bartflossom]

Didn't they say they are using some recycled carbon material to color the panels?

 

[ucfknights123]

Other than the simplicity the dyed plastic is sure to fade fairly quickly and unevenly.

 

[cvollers]

You can get it in any color as long as it’s gray. Sound familiar?

 

[MavStangVa]

I get the idea of eliminating a paint shop and using a single slate gray color and wrapping it to reduce manufacturing costs. But the color is molded into the plastic (via dye pellets), so why not produce panels in a few base colors? It doesn't increase the manufacturing cost.

Have you ever dealt with molding colored panels? Imperfect panel every time. No 2 will match. that is why they use gray or black, and yes color is added, because your eye can;t see the slight swirls in it. Plus if other color plastic sits in the barrel of the press to long it starts to burn, now you have little brown and black flecks in your red panel.

 

[Ewwgas]

I think if you don't wrap it the plastic will show scratches pretty bad with out the protection of paint, you cant just buff it out...

 

[MavStangVa]

I think if you don't wrap it the plastic will show scratches pretty bad with out the protection of paint, you cant just buff it out...

Honda Elements with the gray panels looked awful after a few years. Remember the Chevy Avalanche bed rails?

 

[Adam W]

Is there a reason these couldn't be painted after the fact by the consumer? If they can all be removed, I have a good HVLP gun that would do the job. Seems like it would be more durable than wrap, I just don’t know if paint on plastic is a bad idea.

 

[cvollers]

Is there a reason these couldn't be painted after the fact by the consumer? If they can all be removed, I have a good HVLP gun that would do the job. Seems like it would be more durable than wrap, I just don’t know if paint on plastic is a bad idea.

If the plastic is PVC-based, it’s always a bad idea.

 

[MavStangVa]

Is there a reason these couldn't be painted after the fact by the consumer? If they can all be removed, I have a good HVLP gun that would do the job. Seems like it would be more durable than wrap, I just don’t know if paint on plastic is a bad idea.

The plastic used for parts that is to be painted is much different than what is used for molded in color. The plant I retired from made the exact same part in black and for paint. The painted parts were a different polymer and had to be handled with cotton gloves from the conveyor belt to the packaging. They were painted is a 100% dust free down draft booth then cured in an oven. The polymer manufacturer made a slight change to the compound and we got small fish eyes in the paint. No amount of primer or paint covered it. They had to go back to the old formula. Remember you aren't going to sand out blemishes.

 

[Ewwgas]

The panels could be painted.

Just like almost every car on the market now with plastic/abs/composite you name it "not metal" parts that are painted.

I would say even car for the past 25 years has had a part that is painted that is not metal. So it's no issue.

Butttt IMO since they designed the slate to be wrapped it makes sense to wrap it. It's also im my opinion that if you leave it bare, you will have alot of very noticeable blemishes.

Maybe a ceramic coating would be smart if the owner really wanted to keep it bare.

 

[Johnny-Longtorso]

A bit off-topic, but I'm really hoping all panels will be made available and not-too-expensive.

I'd love to paint or wrap sets that I can swap at will. I'm willing to bet swapping entire panels would be about the same effort as doing a really good job of wrapping.....

I would really love to see Slate share CAD drawings of all trim and panels so the aftermarket can go nuts.....

 

[Mad Mac]

My only concern is that the factory color
is too "stealthy".

I want my vehicles to be conspicuous.
Too bad they can't make them white.