Author Topic: Reflective paints for stripes?  (Read 374 times)

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Offline Richard48Y

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Reflective paints for stripes?
« on: Thursday,August 05, 2021, 11:08:50 AM »
With engine work begun on my S2 I began musing on details of paint and interior.
Color is already decided but the car will be a bit plain without some accents.
Could do JPS style stripes despite being an S2 as it is My car so I only have to please myself.
I also like the simple "Team Lotus" stripe I have seen on some S2's at the bottom of the Sail panel.
And of course there are the Racing Stripes over the top front to back.

Mention of small cars vs 300 HP soccer-mom vans driven by cell-phone addicted fools is a frequent concern on several forums.
Some are adding oversize lamps and even lighting elevated above the body "to be seen".

I have no intent of resorting to such extremes but it does seem reasonable have all striping done in reflective paint.
Since my car will be a light/medium blue I have to decide on the stripe color.
White, silver, or gold.

I know there are reflective tapes available but have no ready source for reflective paint or a process to apply it without it being too thick above the base paint.

Suggestions?
Thoughts?

Offline gideon

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Re: Reflective paints for stripes?
« Reply #1 on: Thursday,August 05, 2021, 11:22:54 AM »

Offline Richard48Y

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Re: Reflective paints for stripes?
« Reply #2 on: Thursday,August 05, 2021, 11:57:20 AM »
"Apply to metal, wood, plastic, concrete or masonry".

Will have to experiment as I do not want to mess up the normal appearance in daylight.
I have a call in to a specialty paint supplier.

Offline gideon

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Re: Reflective paints for stripes?
« Reply #3 on: Thursday,August 05, 2021, 12:11:30 PM »
Well you'd be applying it to plastic so it should be fine, maybe.  But, yeah, you'd be crazy to spray that all over your car without trying it on something less valuable first.

Offline Richard48Y

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Re: Reflective paints for stripes?
« Reply #4 on: Thursday,August 05, 2021, 12:54:29 PM »
Found a source for the "Right" paint.
Only $300 per gallon and a ten gallon minimum!  :FUNNY:  :headbanger:
Working on details and a more affordable solution.
I have several cars to paint but for stripes I think a gallon would do them all.
Might be able to get some from one of their customers if they will share such information.

Offline gideon

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Re: Reflective paints for stripes?
« Reply #5 on: Thursday,August 05, 2021, 01:32:40 PM »

Offline gideon

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Re: Reflective paints for stripes?
« Reply #6 on: Thursday,August 05, 2021, 01:39:55 PM »
Here's a source for reflective glass beads, with some how-to info as well.

https://www.reflectivebeads.com/

Offline Richard48Y

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Re: Reflective paints for stripes?
« Reply #7 on: Thursday,August 05, 2021, 01:55:29 PM »
I may have to just get some relective lettering die-cut.
My car has been "Shaved" of all emblems and lettering except the bonnet badge.
Guess the former owner was very concerned with drag.
So die-cut reflective LOTUS across the back would not be too unbearable.
Any decent sign shop should be able to handle it.

Offline dakazman

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Re: Reflective paints for stripes?
« Reply #8 on: Thursday,August 05, 2021, 06:47:31 PM »
  Hi Richard, I’ll check with my son in law. A gallon of RTS ( ready to shoot) paint is enough to paint a full size car. A quart will paint a motorcycle tank, fenders with plenty leftover.
  Gold would be the most expensive for obvious reasons. Asking for brown or tan would lower the cost.
I’m just unfamiliar with reflective paint.   I’ll let you know.
Dakazman