Finally got 313TD painted. It was time. The salt-laden dew at SMO was killing the skin, especially underneath the canopy cover. I hemmed and hawed over various paint scheme ideas, mostly military-themed. Eventually, that gave way to the practicality of painting it to make it more appealing on resale. But then I thought, who am I kidding, I’m not selling it, it’s too awesome. Then on the way to work one day, I saw a BMW M4 Gran Coupe, painted in Singapore Grey Metallic. I have never before been so captivated by car paint. The way it captures the ambient light and the prismatic effect of the metallic flakes is fascinating, and the pictures really don’t communicate the full impact of how it works with light and reflection. One could argue there aren’t enough swoopy lines in the body to make it work right on this structure like it does with a sport sedan’s bone line, hip line, and fender contours, but I disagree. you really have to see it in person. In any event, I’m happy with it. Not only is it protected from the elements, it looks bloody awesome. The gear fairings and wheel pants still have to be put back on, but since I ordered a set of pre-made RV Bits fairings, I’ll need a facility to install them so I can get the alignment right. The wheel pants are also gloss black.
Big shout out to Derek Spears and David Prescott, who helped with the movement and various aspects of disassembly/reassembly!
In the hangar, you can see a bit of how this paint is supposed to work. Right now it’s picking up the greenish hue from the fluorescent lights and the yellow-green skylights, but also the blue bounce from the floor near where the hangar doors are slightly open.
Indoors
It’s a dark gray, to be sure, but the way it phases through the blue-green spectrum is awesome, and the black just sets it off.
Here I am, set to head back to Santa Monica with no pants on.
Direct sunlight really does a number on photographing this paint, but it’s still amazing!
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