Quick question - what color for Car Chassis?

Hey guys - I've always done my car chassis in semi-gloss black. I'm wondering what color you guys work with?

I'm thinking of switching over to aluminum...

I personally mostly use the same as you for my chassis. But sometime going with the color of the car(in certain situations) can also be done. I wouldn't go painting too many of them in aluminum unless you were going for that show car effect. Just my .02.

You go body colour usually!

If you look under a modern car, you mostly see a grey stone chip film, with a thin spray of body colour over the top in places.
If it is metallic, don't lacquer it or polish it!

If it is an old car, use semi gloss black to replicate underseal!
Never aluminuim!

LOL! I think I have the main exception. The NSX kits say to paint the chassis Flat Aluminum, because that's what the chassis is. However, in later model years, the underside got color-matched.

Like Guiddy said, most modern cars are color-matched, but semi-gloss black is a safe bet if you think it'll look weird, or if you want to "cheat" your way around painting some underside detail. ;)

No aluminum, eh :)?

What's this about modern manufacturers painting body color underneath the car? Every car I've ever seen is an off shade of aluminum, covered in dust. Dunno the exact color, but I know they aren't black from the factory.

I guess I'll just stick with my semi-gloss black (the color I use is Black Chrome Trim).

I normally go with a flat black,body colour or a matt light grey

Originally posted by MercCougarXR7

Every car I've ever seen is an off shade of aluminum, covered in dust. Dunno the exact color, but I know they aren't black from the factory.



Yeah, but you do live in a country where they throw away the suspension and replace it with vats of treacle!
The proper cars we have here are body coloured underneath!:D

Well then, it's settled. I'm working on a 1992 Ford Thunderbird SuperCoupe, and I am going to paint it dark Metalic blue :). I figure to paint the Chasis the same color, and if it looks funny - it won't be terrible because it's a dark color as it is. I still have a hard time believing that the undersides of cars are painted body color. Most modern car finishes start with the cars being dipped through some sort of bath of corrosion inhibiters, a few other things and then it's various paints.

I know that my 1992 Cougar is NOT painted black underneath - it's all coated with years of oil underspray :rolleyes: ...

Thanks guys - I'll update in a few weeks when it's done to tell you how I like it :).

I'd follow the instructions! Do what theat says.
If you follow Tamiya kits, most say paint body colour, with lots of black strips, like my S2000.
But like I said, it would only be a thin pass with the spray gun!
It may be different for your Cars though, as they are so much bigger!
Do some research!

This IS my research Guiddy :D!

Seriously, I have never come across a more knowledgeable bunch than you guys. Although I don't reply much in this forum (being a novice and all, despite my years expericene), I read alot of it.

Most of my kits are Revell/Monogram, as their kits are affordable, and they make the cars I'm interested in. Tamiya does not. I'm sure they make excellent kits, but they are overprices, and are mainly import cars - I'm not too interested in spending time making them (no offence :)).

Thanks - Merc.