Thread: Is it wrong to "mimic" another paint scheme?

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Is it against the man rules to mimic another paint scheme or a part of another paint scheme that you have seen before?

I think after this many years of paintjobs, its kinda hard not to in some shape or form, but more to the point , i say no its not wrong

I think that is a two sided coin. one the other guy could take it as a compliment OR he could call you a copy cat. I'd say if its what you want its totaly up to you.

The car in not a local car and they would never be at the same show. The owner or painter probally will never see my car unless they come by here and see the pictures of it.

It is absolutely all right!!!! Imitation is the highest form of flattery!!! That being said, I wouldn't copy the paint scheme of somebody in my home town, or from someone who might show up at the same rod run that i am going to .

What I would say is it depends how unique it is. If it is a real standout one of a kind of job I would say stay away from it. I don't care if it is a car across the country. I would assume you saw it in mag or something. Well, if it is a stand out car BECAUSE of the paint, what will your car look like at a local show, a copy.

Like has been said, custom paint jobs have been sprayed for years, just about every thing that you or I could ever come up with has been done. But there are some special ones out there still in some creative guys head. If you take one of those special ones and put it on your car, it will be tacky.

All the others, heck, who would know, it has all been done a million times.

Brian

I would agree with making enough of a change that it doesn't appear as a twin. How hard can it be to use a darker or lighter shade for part of it, move something a little forward or down, change the pinstripe color, or even choose a different base color?

The few times I have been asked to copy a job, the owner and I sat down, and tried to determine if we could improve the design. Often, the first attempt has something about it that might not be the ultimate version of their idea. So far we have always found something we felt could be better......so why not have a unique job? The cost is about the same.

I've always thought it was funny, these guys who guard a paint code like it was a National secret. I saw a car I liked one time, and when I asked the guy what color it was, he acted like I had called his Sister names. As said above, I always considered it a form of flattery when someone would ask me, and I would give them chapter and verse.


Don

If the ride looks like a mural ,I say no ,...but if its just a 2 tone or a color scheme with a break line go for it ,surely you would want a lighter or darker shade or different brand of close to the the same shades of paint.

That is exactly what I meant Shawn. If it is very "distinctive", don't do it. Some paint jobs are just like the rest of the car, a "signature", and you shouldn't forge someone elses signature.

Brian

Well I dropped her off at the paint shop today. I will post pics of her when she is done. She will look like a completely different car. I can't wait!!!!!!!

Probably not, if it is on a different type of car... If you're talking a car just like yours, then it's ok too as long as the one you are copying is at least 3 states away.... After all, copying is the most sincere form of flattery.....

Well I'm on the East coast and the other car is in the Mid West. They are different cars too. It's not going to be the exact scheme, but some ideas were generated from the other car. I e-mailed the painter and even asked his opinion on ithe matter but have not yet gotten a reply back. I'll post pics the day she comes back home to me then let you all be the judges...LOL!

nope not at all. I have had amny paint jobs look similar to what I have done.....then others are dead on
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...k/DSC00816.jpg

As I had mentioned earlier in this post I had e-mailed the person that painted the car that I liked about his feelings on using the scheme. He said that he had no problem with it and said thanks.

Like others also said, some painters take it as a compliment, and that appears to be the case here too.

I'm definately at ease with it now....LOL!