How about a gloss clear wrap?

[FlyHappy]

I kind of like the Slate gray. With a white grill and wheels and a couple of stripes it would look pretty spif. But I don't like the dull matte surface at all; I want a nice shine. They have a gloss wrap called the Other Warsaw which looks close to the base color, but how about just doing a clear wrap? It could be glossy or flat or satin, depending on your preference, and give some UV and small impact protection to the plastic surface, without changing the color.

Is that even possible / practical?

In theory... you can polish this raw plastic into a glossy sheen, literally using the same kind of technique as another other dull material (ie, a fine grit compound and buffer). It would be really, really laborious and surely risk creating uneven finish, etc. So realistically, not realistic

If the gloss is that important to you, you really are just best off getting a full wrap in one of the rather close gray colors.
Having said that... the Slate would be a pretty easy vehicle to apply a 2 part clear coat to with an adhesion promoter. If done well, it could be more durable then vinyl wrap.

Personally, I really like the "battleship" effect!

 

[SailorDan]

I thought of this first. After all, that is what we used to do with single stage paints. But a ppg panel is not a painted surface, and the likelihood of uneven finishes is very high.

Then again, if you just get it close, maybe a ceramic finish on top of a pretty close smooth plastic might turn out nice. Maybe.

So, no definite answers yet, and FlyHappy's various choices seem like very possible choices.

 

[E90400K]

Just a question. I built a lot of plastic car models when I was a kid. I'm thinkin' Testors paint shouldn't need all the prep work... Oh, and a lot of race car models I built had stickers too. I figure I'm ready to wrap a Slate when the time comes.

 

[LevelHeaded]

Vinyl colored wraps are more forgiving/easier to apply than clear PPF.

 

[FlyHappy]

Just a question. I built a lot of plastic car models when I was a kid. I'm thinkin' Testors paint shouldn't need all the prep work... Oh, and a lot of race car models I built had stickers too. I figure I'm ready to wrap a Slate when the time comes.

well, testors paint was solvent based, formulated to chemically soften and bond to the surface plastics, something you don't get with the adhesives used on the back of wraps or even clear coats. Don't know about the stickers, but they may not have been so durable in outdoor conditions, UV, rain, temp swings.

 

[E90400K]

well, testors paint was solvent based, formulated to chemically soften and bond to the surface plastics, something you don't get with the adhesives used on the back of wraps or even clear coats. Don't know about the stickers, but they may not have been so durable in outdoor conditions, UV, rain, temp swings.

You really didn't catch the sarcasm?

 

[EV Trek]

Just a question. I built a lot of plastic car models when I was a kid. I'm thinkin' Testors paint shouldn't need all the prep work... Oh, and a lot of race car models I built had stickers too. I figure I'm ready to wrap a Slate when the time comes.

Those models were made of a different plastic also, I used a lot of different regular paints not just testors, i think model cars were made of polystyrene plastic. It has different properties than polypropylene and bonds better with paint.

 

[E90400K]

Those models were made of a different plastic also, I used a lot of different regular paints not just testors, i think model cars were made of polystyrene plastic. It has different properties than polypropylene and bonds better with paint.

There you go, you get the joke then.

 

[EV Trek]

I asked Slate to consider offering 12” wide rolls of the same vinyl used in their wraps so those that have access to the crafting vinyl cutting machines an opportunity to make their own custom stickers that will adhere to the polypropylene body panels.

 

[Luxrage]

Just a question. I built a lot of plastic car models when I was a kid. I'm thinkin' Testors paint shouldn't need all the prep work... Oh, and a lot of race car models I built had stickers too. I figure I'm ready to wrap a Slate when the time comes.

Wait, you guys were building the models? I never got past sniffin' the glue.

 

[E90400K]

Wait, you guys were building the models? I never got past sniffin' the glue.

Cannot comment for fear the humor may escape some of the readers here.

 

[EV Trek]

A little off topic here but I asked Slate how well the Plastic body panels would stand up to automatic car washes after a couple hundred wash cycles. Here was their answer:
Hi Timothy,

Great question!
What I can share: the composite body panels are made of high strength and reinforced composite, which is known for being impact resistant and corrosion resistant compared to traditional sheet metal. We are proud to back each Slate with a 4 year/50,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty as well.

We expect the body panels to hold up well wherever you are in the US, and however often you'd like to wash your car. With that said, we'll publish our full owners manual before deliveries begin, which should have some further detail on a care guide for your vehicle.