What color is your 2016 Prius?

Blue streak.
Adding insult to injury, the body work behind the rear tire tucks directly in to line up with the rear tire tread exposing the finish to the kicked up grime and grit. I got mud flaps after about a month.

 

My new 4 w/ ATP is Blue crush.

I named her 'Blue Devil'.

 

2016 Prius 4 Touring w PCP

 

Regarding the upcharge for Blizzard Pearl and Hypersonic Red, paint cost really does differ depending on the color. The paint that goes on new cars is in many ways the most complex type of paint that exists. You would think it would be aerospace paint or something like that, but most types of paint only have to do one primary job, they either have to look good up close (example decorative paint) or be very durable in outdoor use (paint for bridges, airplanes etc.) The paint that goes on a new car has to do both, it has to be durable enough to last several years outdoors, while also looking so good up close that it clinches the deal on the sale of what is effectively a $30,000 appliance. And a big part of that look is accomplished by the auto paint manufacturers by using some very expensive and complex pigments, some of which cost a lot more than others.

I happen to have access to paint software used in bodyshops for one of the top three paint manufacturers for automotive repair in the U.S. (I prefer not to name which one). The prices listed below are based on published list prices, nothing secret, however the prices themselves for each color are not a “packaged” price, the software calculates the exact cost of the paint that the body shop incurs for the job, based on the formula being mixed (weighed in grams) and the price of each individual toner in the formula.

Prices will vary for solvent and water based (which still has some percentage of solvent by the way) and other factors, but the basic trend seen below still applies.

Blizzard Pearl (070) 186.79+219.77 = $406.56

Hypersonic Red (3T7) 230.45 + 150.42 = $380.87

Blue Crush Metallic (8W7) $204.87

Midnight Black Metallic (218) $191.26

Magnetic Gray Metallic (1G3) $183.29

Classic Silver Metallic (1F7) $176.24

Sea Glass Pearl (781) $171.59

What makes Blizzard Pearl and Hypersonic Red so expensive compared to the other colors is not just expensive effect pigments, but it has to be sprayed in two color layers to give the right effect (in addition to the primer and clearcoat layers).

Even though this is repair paint, not factory paint (which is a different technology) it will still give some idea of the differing costs of different colors, since whichever company provides paint for these colors has to deal with the same challenges of pigments and metallic effect, and they will price the paint accordingly, and that includes the companies selling paint to the car manufactures.

Of course the factory gets a volume discount on the paint and I’m sure pays much less than the numbers listed above, but still I think charging $395 for the premium colors is not totally out of line, as the paint does cost the manufacturer more, and they have to spray an extra layer for these colors which adds a little more time on the assembly line (even though the paint is sprayed by robots) . Obviously they are marking it up quite a bit, but probably the markup percentage is less than the percentage that they are marking up other things like floor mats.

 

It thought it was common knowledge that tri coat paint cost more , generally are a paid extra option at time of order. Similar to the soul red Mazda currently has. Wife's cx5 was that color, beautiful when detailed , but pretty dismal when dirty.

LG-H901 ?

 

Trying to estimate what is common knowledge is quite an imperfect science

 

Finally gotten it to what I want it to look...

20/5 tint
Smoked tail lights
Plastidipped (darkened) back bumper plastic part

 

Really really sharp and unique... very well done!! It makes me want to rethink my color choice... and get black. But I've been there and done that. Black is sharp, but takes a commitment to properly keep it looking that way!

I love your window tint, the rim transformation, exhaust and darkened back bumper plastic part. Now the only thing left is to debadge the Prius and Hybrid logos.

 

OMG! That is the cleanest black car ever. Looks amazing! Congrats..

 

Super NICE!!!!
I'm really impressed. Great work!

That will turn heads for sure.
Makes us proud to be a Prius owner.

 

I'm getting Magnetic Grey Metallic... liked it better in person (than in any of the pictures).

I've done the white thing too... and I was obsessed about keeping it perfectly clean... with a high gloss polished. But with the black cars I've had, hairline swirls were hard to avoid. Time for something new!

 

Thanks! Debadging is next on the list and yes black is a pain in the nice person to keep clean... My last black car was 15 years ago so I guess it's about time

 

After you debadge I wonder how many people will even figure out what it is. Probably will be some surprised expressions when you tell them.

 

@PeterKG Your blacked out Gen 4 looks great! From your profile photo it looks like you took the plastic covers / beauty ring trim off your touring wheels. Could you please post some photos showing how the bare touring wheel looks, and some other beauty shots of the Prius?! Thanks!!!