when you guys get your kits painted do you get the pieces painted then put on the car??? or do you put them on and send it to the painters. because when i eventually get my ms-designs lip kit for my elantra, i was planning on getting it painted then put on.

 

EDIT: You want the kit painted with it on the car. So they can match the colors. They just don't paint the kit, they have to blend the paint from above the kit into the kit so it all matches.

High-end kits like the Ixion fit well because they are molds of the first mold. Fake kits like the Vader are molds of molds of molds of molds, and they lose the originial shape and size. Thats why you see so many fitment problems.

Hopefullly not hijacking topic, but 3500 for a two color fade isn't too bad if they do everything (jambs, under interior, and pull the engine for the engine bay). I've seen cars at shows with silver engine bays and red outside of it. Nasty.

 

it has to be off so they can paint the back of it..

 

I never put much thought into it before, but it makes sense that a bodyshop/painter won't be able to match the factory color exactly.

IMHO, I'd get the whole car painted anyways. Chances are your factory paint job isn't showroom fresh anymore plus if you're going to save up that much cash a couple grand more is worth the wait.

Then again, learning to paint isn't hard, it just takes practice and (unfortunately) money.

 

A good paintshop can blend well, and make it so you can't really tell the difference. Learning to paint wouldn't be a bad idea... but paint itself is expensive. Depending on whether you get HOK or a manufacturer paint, its going to cost $500-600 for the paint to paint the car. Then you need a paint room and a hella long time prepping the car. THE NUMBER ONE THING WHEN PAINTING IS THE PREP, NOT THE PAINTING. Most important thing. Thats why paint jobs are so expensive, and why I think those Meinke $299 specials must suck. LOL.

 

It cost quite a bit to get a good paint job/ installing body kits..I had a nice Testarosa (however you spell it) body kit on my BMW...only to watch the front end take a beating and seeing the paint get chipped slowly from the crappy roads over here..since them I will not get another body kit.