We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Flat black paint makes just about anything look a little tougher. Take this 2008 Lexus IS-F for instance. It was built by Five Axis and although it’s far less shiny that the IS-F that participated in our recent comparison test, we like the looks of this one much better. Part of the credit goes to its wide body conversion kit and the 20 inch wheels, but it’s the Satin Black Pearl paint that really makes it...
Don't expect to see any of its upgrades available as factory options anytime soon.
yeah, the gang at Five Axis did a great job on this car! And i sure hope it looks better since Troy Sumitomo (head of 5 Axis) is an Art Center grad. ;)
Wow, they should have just built this as the IS-f... Just tone down the angularity of the rocker panels a tad, un-flare those fenders ever so slightly and clean up the front fascia a bit and you'd have it! This would be so much better looking than the real IS-F it's sad...
They did a fantastic job with the exhaust tips. Perhaps Lexus should try that next year. I couldn't agree more about the paint. It's such a striking sleeper color. The rims and WBK look really good except for the front lip. A little too much effort there. If that were toned down, this would be a solid offering.
they accentuated (and overemphasized) the angularity of the front bumper. i think it works... i've gotten used to seeing these while i was at that school. it's WAY better than the WRX. ;) lol
Hey Rex, about the paint... do you know how they get the matte effect? Is that a layering process or is it in the overcoat? I agree with estreka on the paint too. Very "stealthy" looking. Kinda reminds me of an F-117A or something.
flic: there's either a flattening agent or an actual paint i believe... i'm not exactly sure with automobiles but i believe that's the case. i'll have to shoot those guys an email about it and ask. there's a process to everything so... could be that too...
cah: the reventon does seem to come in mind (which is probably why i like this so much) but their design, cnc (since most of what 5 Axis does are one-offs - but i hear that they might be doing their own design and molds for scion), and paint could have come before the reventon reveal. could have, but then again... i've seen things done at ACCD that took as little as a few days to a couple of weeks so... it could be possible...
hey troy, i need a front lip for my legacy!!! (it'll probably cost me a stinkin' arm and a leg...)
I talked to a few paint vendors at the show. They generally roll their eyes when asked about such paint - they'd rather sell outrageous colors.
A "flattening agent" is involved (that's not the term for it, but I forget the correct one) but it is also important to spray the last coat VERY evenly and don't color sand it or apply rubbing compound. Clear coat is, as you'd expect, a big no-no.
Thing is, if you had this on your personal car, and washed and waxed it regularly, it'd get SHINIER over time. I gather that this sort of paint is great for a show car but hard to live with. Although I'd be a perfect candidate because I hate waxing my car and wash it less than I should.
Thanks Rex and actualsize! I don't know much about painting cars, but it intrigued me how they got that effect.
I'm in the same boat about waxing and washing. Takes soooo long to get a nice wax job done. I'd rather go through the automatic wash and get a "wax" there :-)
Ducati has been using this type of paint for years on their "Dark" series bikes. It is basically an 'eggshell' final coat that is sprayed onto the paint coat underneath, drying matte not glossy.
Waxing this finish will make it shiny! (eventually)
yeah, the gang at Five Axis did a great job on this car! And i sure hope it looks better since Troy Sumitomo (head of 5 Axis) is an Art Center grad. ;)
The lower body kit is horrendous. What a mess.
Wow, they should have just built this as the IS-f... Just tone down the angularity of the rocker panels a tad, un-flare those fenders ever so slightly and clean up the front fascia a bit and you'd have it! This would be so much better looking than the real IS-F it's sad...
They did a fantastic job with the exhaust tips. Perhaps Lexus should try that next year. I couldn't agree more about the paint. It's such a striking sleeper color. The rims and WBK look really good except for the front lip. A little too much effort there. If that were toned down, this would be a solid offering.
they accentuated (and overemphasized) the angularity of the front bumper. i think it works... i've gotten used to seeing these while i was at that school. it's WAY better than the WRX. ;) lol
Hey Rex, about the paint... do you know how they get the matte effect? Is that a layering process or is it in the overcoat? I agree with estreka on the paint too. Very "stealthy" looking. Kinda reminds me of an F-117A or something.
looks like the lambo reventon had some inspiration on this car
Where were these guys when the REAL IS-F was being designed?
flic: there's either a flattening agent or an actual paint i believe... i'm not exactly sure with automobiles but i believe that's the case. i'll have to shoot those guys an email about it and ask. there's a process to everything so... could be that too...
cah: the reventon does seem to come in mind (which is probably why i like this so much) but their design, cnc (since most of what 5 Axis does are one-offs - but i hear that they might be doing their own design and molds for scion), and paint could have come before the reventon reveal. could have, but then again... i've seen things done at ACCD that took as little as a few days to a couple of weeks so... it could be possible...
hey troy, i need a front lip for my legacy!!! (it'll probably cost me a stinkin' arm and a leg...)
I talked to a few paint vendors at the show. They generally roll their eyes when asked about such paint - they'd rather sell outrageous colors.
A "flattening agent" is involved (that's not the term for it, but I forget the correct one) but it is also important to spray the last coat VERY evenly and don't color sand it or apply rubbing compound. Clear coat is, as you'd expect, a big no-no.
Thing is, if you had this on your personal car, and washed and waxed it regularly, it'd get SHINIER over time. I gather that this sort of paint is great for a show car but hard to live with. Although I'd be a perfect candidate because I hate waxing my car and wash it less than I should.
Thanks Rex and actualsize! I don't know much about painting cars, but it intrigued me how they got that effect.
I'm in the same boat about waxing and washing. Takes soooo long to get a nice wax job done. I'd rather go through the automatic wash and get a "wax" there :-)
you're welcome flic. and dan, i think you and i would fit into the "flat black" category. i don't have time any more to maintain my car. :( boo!
Nothing is better looking than a 'Rex, Rex! j/k :o)
Ducati has been using this type of paint for years on their "Dark" series bikes. It is basically an 'eggshell' final coat that is sprayed onto the paint coat underneath, drying matte not glossy.
Waxing this finish will make it shiny! (eventually)
Its not flat paint its a satin finish. Been around for a while now.
I this the same car as this one http://www.carchannel.be/nl/artikel/lexus/lexus-f-discreet-sportief ? , I don't know, I don't know soooo much about cars :D.