Any give me a little photochop help?

[Nathans_Dad]

Can anyone make the stripes on this Mustang a dark gray, sorta like the color of the mustang below? I am thinking about striping my car, but am not sure if it will look right or not. I don't really want to go white, since everyone seems to do that. Feel free to do the stripes in other colors if you think that will look better. Thanks!!

[scottmandue]

I suck at photoshop, but how are you going to get better if you don't try.
There are about a hundred shades of gray on that car you posted the pic of so here is something in the middle.

[Nathans_Dad]

Hrm...a bit light. I am going for a dark charcoal color. Maybe that car pic wasn't the best example...thanks for the try though.

Can you darken it down quite a bit?? More like this color:

[Moses]

Originally posted by Nathans_Dad
I don't really want to go white, since everyone seems to do that.

There is a reason they go with white. It looks GREAT! The GT is a bold looking car. Why tone it down?

[Steve Carlton]

I have trouble replacing colors with my basic version of Photoshop, but maybe this'll help:

[Nathans_Dad]

Originally posted by Moses
There is a reason they go with white. It looks GREAT! The GT is a bold looking car. Why tone it down?

Point taken, I just wanted to look at other color combinations because it seems everyone goes with white stripes on the dark blue base. I think black stripes would look good, along with a brighter silver. It is looking like my original idea of darker grey just isn't looking right...

I found a neat application which lets you put different color stripes and base colors on the car:

Black rallys on blue base:


Silver Rallys on blue base:


I really like this "Super Sport" type stripe too...

[930addict]

That last one is my favorite.

[Moses]

The black looks good and the silver looks better than the gray. Now you have some great choices!

[Nathans_Dad]

I think I like the black better than the silver. I saw one today in the parking lot (non-GT but still same blue) with silver stripes and it looked almost the same as the white stripes. Maybe it was because it was so sunny.

We are already planning on putting the black rocker panel stripes on it so I could probably do that and then decide whether I wanted the rally stripes or not. I'm a little concerned about a vinyl stripe that is that large on the hood. Can you still wax over those things? Do they shine up as well as the paint? I'm tempted to just bite the bullet and have stripes painted on if that is what I am going to do.

[Moses]

Originally posted by Nathans_Dad
I think I like the black better than the silver.

Me too. The black looks great. The vinyl holds up pretty well and is easily replaced if you need to.

[Nathans_Dad]

See, my problem is that I am a wax nut. I really love the look of a freshly waxed surface where you can get that mirror quality. I'm afraid that a vinyl stripe won't do that for me. Of course if I paint the stripes then they can't be removed later without repainting the whole car.

Decisions, decisions...

[Moses]

Just get the best quality vinyl stripes you can find. It will look great.

[deanp]

You are never going to get the full panel polished look you reference in your post above using vinyl. The vinyl will have a lifespan, most are advertized at 6-8 years, but that is based on vertical sign applications, horizontal panels that are exposed to the elements will reduce the lifespan.

When it is time for the vinyl to come off, there will most likely be ghosting from time. Slight fading of the rest of the car, whereas the area under the vinyl is still brand new. Swirl marks, light scuffs from washing, waxing etc, will not be present under the vinyl.

I think if you are committed to the stripes then the best way to get long term results is to paint. While more expensive I think you'll be infinitely happier with the end result, esp if you plan on keeping the car a while.

[svandamme]

stripes should have a high contrast

white on blue is right
black or dark grey on blue, just isn't


but that's just my opinion...

[jyl]

Get vinyl stripes, if you still like them after a year, paint.

[Moses]

Originally posted by jyl
Get vinyl stripes, if you still like them after a year, paint.

That's a great idea.

[drew68]

I like the solid grey color without the stripes better.

What about silver?