From my hyper-rev and other magazines it seems as if the 99 spec vintage red is darker than the 93-95 models. Is it just my eyes or is the paint code different?

 

afaik it's exactly the same. However, the red, at least as it came from the factory, hasn't held up well - it's possible that the fact that almost every old FD is starting to go pinkish = your perception

also, afaik, the only colors to change were silver (silverstone -> highlight), white (chaste -> pure) and yellow (comp yellow mica -> whatever color they used for the rs-r and last bathurst-r)

 

That would be Sunburst Yellow

 

Some people yes some say no. I believe it is a different color, but is still called vintage red. If you've read the Import Speed South article the guy purchases a 99 spoiler and it comes painted a darker red then VR.

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...red+paint+code

 

I think its because for 1, the 93 paints are horrible which was a known fact and on top of that, its older than 99, obviously lol.

So i would assume any 99 VR fd would look more fuller.

 

it would be very unlikely for a manufacturer to change the paint and keep the same name.

paint fade.

 

Thanks for the responses guys. I guess its paint fade.

 

Agreed, but that's the most likely possibility in this case.

Doubtful. If the South Import Speed link was still up you would see the obvious color difference. The thread I linked mentions that the 99 spec spoiler that MichaelB145 recieved was a different red and, as I mentioned above, the South Import Speed article mentions the same thing. I can also remember, yet can't seem to find with the search function, several threads asking for the paint code.

 

Definitely. when I had my MB 94 FD I got rear-ended and had to get the back end replaced and repainted. The new paint, still Montego Blue, looked SO much darker than the stuff that was on there before. I think you can just attribute it to 12 years of sun, smog, rain, salt, dirt, etc.

 

You guys also have to remember that base FD colors were NOT clear coated from the factory which attributed to these paint issues we're talking about here. Red is the most oxidizing color add to that not having a clearcoat you can imagine what will happen over the years. Maybe Mazda at some point started clear coating the base colors at some point and therefore may explain why some of the newer model Vintage Red FD's look different.

 

I personally know the owner of the car you are referring to and have seen it in person. Despite what he says in the article, I do not think the 99spec is a different color. As others have mentioned, the type of paint used back in 93 was of a horrible quality. Years late the problem was fixed. Perhaps the car looks a deeper red in pictures, but I assure you in person it is the the same VR. It may only look different because it is a different type of paint, but overall the color is unchanged.

 

Would you guys think it would be stupid to repaint a 94 FD that only has 21k original miles? I just want the perfect finish, plus I have extra cash laying around. In the long end would you think a repainted FD would increase the value vs. one with original paint?

 

The mileage has nothing to do whether it needs to be repainted or not. Usually age and how it was cared for is what matters. If it's faded from the sun then sure, go ahead and paint it. Personally, I think a new paint job adds value to the car, but if the original paint is still in good condition, it wouldn't matter.

 

My FD was repainted the factory 3 stage VR about 9k miles ago and definitely has a darker sheen to it than many other VR cars I come upon. If you'd like to see more pics, do a search under my s/n and the keyword 'pics.'

 

I love your car, definatly looks a bit darker. Maybe its because of the clear coat? Anyways is the paint code for the 3 stage nu?

 

I can try and find out the paint code, not sure. I was in the paint booth during most of the process, I know he used Spies Hecker german paint.

If you can believe it, I only had to pay material costs for the paint job---$1200. I did all the removal and reinstall labor myself, which was simulaneouly a pain the *** and a big learning experience. This paint job would have run me at least $4000 elsewhere, given the care and amount of detail that went into the process.

Needless to say, I am one lucky bastard

 

Bah, looks like my intuition was wrong. Well thanks for clearing that up Sikopathx.

 

I remember seeing theres two paint codes for vintage red, I believe nu is single stage and nt is 3 stage? Is this correct?

 

bump. last question pls?

 

The difference lies in the vintage red for the tourings vs the R1. I *think* NU is the paint code for the R1 VR......which doesnt have clearcoat. NT is with clearcoat.

 

dudes, all fd's were clear coated. single stage paint is a base and clear coat combined. the other code is a for a 3 stage process in which a orangeish red base is laid on, followed by a toner(not pearl) and then clearcoated. you can also tint the clearcoat to get a custom effect