My Z28 is getting repainted sometime before March 2012. Exactly when, I'm not sure, but it is 100% for sure getting repainted.


I'm really getting the itch to do something different, not totally different where people are like "yuck", but just different enough where people go "wait a sec..."

I'm liking the idea of changing to a different paint code from the original color, but I don't want to spray a factory color just as it is either. I'm going to have the painter introduce a few ounces per gallon of either a House of Kolor chameleon or pearl to the base coat. But my question is, WHAT BASE COAT TO GO WITH?!

There are so many blues....and there are SOOO many "What color blue should I go with?" threads on this site... I have done some homework and know the look I'm going for: A "medium" shade of blue, slightly close to the original Ultra Blue Metallic, not too light, not too dark...because it's going to get some wicked '92 Heritage Stripes that will look like bare steel, so if the blue is too dark, it will contrast pretty hard. If it's too light, it will look washed out.



So my question, and the whole reason for this post is...what do you think about Porsche's Aqua Blue Metallic? And if you don't like it, what do you suggest that is at least close to Ultra Blue Metallic ('91 Camaro color)??

Here's a few pictures of some Porsches in ABM, different amounts of sunlight so you really get a feel for it.

With some black heritage stripes......thats a nice blue, or maybe candy oriental blue.

The stripes will have the look of bare, brushed steel. I think the contrast will be real slick

IMO that blue is dull, it just doesn't "pop".

I'm going to try to find one at the local Bentley/Maserati/Porsche dealer so I can get a good look in person. I like it but I dont want to spend a bunch of money on a color without seeing in person first.

I like it. I'l toss this out there. I was gonna do my last car in House of Kolor orion silver base and cobolt blue top coat.

I like that, but it has a more purple-ish shade to it. Trying to stay closer to the original color just something that will grab your eyes a little more.

ya in the shade/night it looks dark.
Out in the sun its totally diff. DEFF. an eye catcher and head turner.

Porsche Aqua Blue Metallic is nice.

Some other blues I like:

C5 Electron Blue:






Mustang Cobra Sonic Blue:


C4 Admiral Blue:

The Grand Sport blue is too purplish, I do like the Cobra Sonic Blue though, and Electron Blue although that second picture isnt a very good representation of how it is in person due to a lot of editing.

I like that Porsche blue. BMW Estoril Blue has always been a favorite of mine too. It might be too light for what you're looking for though.

That is nice but I think it's a few shades to light for what I'm going for.

I agree. That Porsche blue is the gray of the blue world. It is really boring in person.

I do think that Mustang blue looks great.

I agree the '96 grandsport is dark cloisonne and more a puprlish blue.

That mustang blue is very nice. I like that a lot.

Why not look into a tri-coat paint, you can go with the stock base color then spray a tint on top of that before clearing it. You can keep it close to stock but manipulate the color lighter or darker depending on which way you go. The only down fall to this is having a really good painter and keeping the exact tint recipie so that you can match it in case of a fender bender.

Admiral blue in the sun...not bad for a 17 year old paint job!! It does tend to change colour in the shade, and at night it looks awesome.

I kinda like the blue color on your car now. It is one of the best third gen colors IMO.

I'd agree that it's HARD to beat the factory "Iroc" blue, it looks totally new FRESH!. I'm sure you've probably seen my build thread, but if not look me up.






If you just want a change, check out GM Arrival blue. It is on some trucks, Silverado SS's, Cadillacs, and the such.

Here is a bad picture, but it shows the color difference. SLIGHTLY darker.

I like Electron Blue, and I also REALLY like the Aqua Blue Metallic that came on early 2010 Camaros that got quickly dropped from the color charts.

This ABM doesn't look like much in the pics, but in person I think it's really a lively color:


This pic seems to better capture how it looks in person. Notice how it's different on every angle of the car. It really makes the car's lines & curves stand out:

The second shot of Electron Blue appears to be a well done HDR or a layered shot; Electron Blue will never look like that in one lighting situation, but that picture does an excellent job capturing the dynamic range of lighting and how the color looks through that range.

I think the blue you have now looks great, maybe do a respray of that and call it a day.

Or do fathom green from the '69 Camaro... haha.

Putting HOK chameleon in a basecoat won't do what you think it will. It needs to be applied over black for best results, and at $250pt, you don't want to be wasting it. Have your painter do a mid coat dry pearl over HOK Cobalt(excellent idea) over the Orion silver as suggested. If you're the blingy type, add an Ice Blue to the midcoat. Be sure to do a spray-out panel as Cobalt doesn't like things sprayed over it.