Have the rear panel painted or leave it black?

[76Datsun280z]

This weekend on Sunday, we made an appointment to drop my car to get painted, finally! I'm so stoked and excited as I've been waiting for this for years now. It's going to be in the shop for about two to three weeks depending on how soon he can work on it.

Any way, I thought it might be interesting to get your opinions on the whether or not you guys like the rear panels on these cars painted the color of the car or left black as they were when they left the factory? I used to lean torwards having it painted the color of the car, but now I think I'll probably just have it painted black again. I have a few more days to think about it, but that's what I'm leaning torwards as of now. What are your opinions, what do you prefer just out of curiousity?

Couple examples of a painted panel and the stock color

[KDMatt]

"Paint it black"

'Stones knew what they were talking about.

[JimmyZ]

It looks nice using the same color but I'd prefer to have original color on back. Contrast is good.

[DeesZ]

My personal opinion is that I prefer the original charcoal color.

I have one original, and another painted the same color of the car, so I experience both every day..... If I put the second one back on the road it will be returned to a close to stock color.

Again, that's only my opinion - if you really like the same-as-car color, go for it. Remember, it's yours, and your goal is not to please me.

[76Datsun280z]

Yeah,

I've also kind of thought the look of the painted rear panels give the car more of a modern look then were they're black.

[EScanlon]

Austen:

At the risk of being one to spoil the fun.

Get the leak problem up front taken care of FIRST, then address any mechanical issues you may have, THEN go for the paint job.

IMO there isn't a sadder sight than a beautifully painted car.....in the boneyard.

2¢

E

[76Datsun280z]

Austen:

At the risk of being one to spoil the fun.

Get the leak problem up front taken care of FIRST, then address any mechanical issues you may have, THEN go for the paint job.

IMO there isn't a sadder sight than a beautifully painted car.....in the boneyard.

2¢

E

Good catch.

Actually, the leak ended up being under the cowl under neath below where the wiper motor mounts after all. There we're several rust spots that we ended up filling under there and after several leak tests and driving it in the rain, no more leak. Thanks again for the help on that.

[e_racer1999]

paint it the charcoal colour...... i looooove it.

[webdawg1]

Back to OEM (Gray) for sure....When painted the car color...it just kind of blends in with the rest of the car...When it's gray...it's kind of IN YOUR FACE...they would have to be behind you tho...

webdawg1

[AndysPlit]

Black will always add a nice contrast. My bodyshop painted my panel black without asking, but it turned out really nice. Never really cared for when the panel matched the rest of the car, but that's just me.

[bpilati]

Paint it the original factory color.

[Blue Meanie]

As the Stones said, "paint it black"! I even blacked out the trim around the taillights.

Mine is black, and it compliments the car very well. (body is Laguna Blue Pearl with bright white Daytona stripes)