A question about mono-tone paint

[E-Man]

About the mono-tone paint...Does the paint on what would have been the gray plastic cladding have the same gloss as the paint on the rest of the vehicle. I only ask because sometimes when I look at the Vibes on the dealer lots it looks like the paint does not exactly match between the cladding and lets say the fender. If you look at the Aztek with a mono-tone paint -- the cladding that was formerly grey does not have the scheen of the rest of the vehicle -- just wondering if the same holds true for the Vibe. Mono-tone owners speak up.Thanks for your help.Ed

[esjones]

I have noticed that the gray cladding on the two-tone Vibe also has a rough texture to it. On a monotone model (at least the ones I've looked at on dealers' lots) there is little or no texture. As for the color matching in gloss/sheen, I don't think you'll EVER get an exact match because plastic and steel are inherently different materials to paint.I chose to pass on the monotone pkg for reasons of gloss, and durability of the painted cladding. I also like the SUV look that the two-tone treatment gives. - EarlI said "two-tone," but is anyone else here old enough to remember when Ford called it "TuTone?"

[Sub-Vibe-R]

I got a monotone Vibe (salsa) and the difference between the steal and the cladding is now very easy to see. There's a little difference, cause the texture is not the same between stale and plastic. Both have the same gloss.On my car, you have to look a it very carefully to see the difference and tell the bottom is a painted plastic.

[NSimkins]

quote:If you look at the Aztek with a mono-tone paint -- the cladding that was formerly grey does not have the scheen of the rest of the vehicle -- just wondering if the same holds true for the Vibe. Mono-tone owners speak up.RIGHT... the Aztek's cladding is far more noticable that it is painted plastic cladding, compared to the Vibe. The Aztek looks like rough painted plastic in my opinion. You have to get alot closer to the Vibe's Monotone Cladding to tell for sure. It has a slight rough texture but glossy like the paint.. as previously said.

[Sub-Vibe-R]

The paint job on my monotone Vibe is very nice. It is very hard to notice a difference between the steal and the claddingA friend of mine told me:"You should bough a 2 tone, the plastic will protec the steal against the rust. Monotone does not have that protection." I had to hit the cladding to proof him it is not stleal but painted plastic.

[vibe owner]

The plastic has tiny bumps all over - a molded-in texture that tends to hide flaws. The paint goes right over this, so it isn't quite smooth. There is therefore a difference in gloss, but in most lighting you don't notice it. I like monotone on my salsa GT, but would have been happy with black (molded or painted) plastic to match the mirrors, rack, and window trim. Just don't like the "3-tone" effect with gray trim.

[mu_ohio]

There is a difference between the plastics used. There is a special paintable cladding and then the rough on the two-tone. I was looking to get mine painted but the shop wanted to make sure it was something possible so they checked on the parts. They will remove and paint all of the pieces but only after they can test a small section. I'm just happy that they are at least honest enough to try before doing. They also guarentee for life so they don't want to repaint every year.

[yank dini]

One of the body shop guys told me that they are painted over for both the AZ and the Vibe. Good thing because I have to get my cladding painted to use the body kit that up and coming

[mu_ohio]

Yank, did you have your cladding painted? If so, is it holding up? i'm about ready to make that my next investment if it's safe.