Defender (Paintwork)

[Tony2]

Hello all,

As a potential owner of a new Defender next year (looks over shoulder to ensure wife is not reading), I am researching/seeking advice about paintwork.

Is a solid paint more durable than a metallic one?

I really like the Alaskan white (solid paint).

Does anyone have feelings on their metallic/solid paintwork, specifically on their defenders. What might be best for our Aussie sun as opposed to UK conditions? Is the Defender paintwork up to scratch (no pun intended)?

As this is a vehicle that I might be with for many years, I want to choose wisely. When no one is looking, I'm more then happy to wax the vehicle :eek: to add another layer of protection.

Great forum you have here and thanks for any advice.

Tony,
Perth.

[justinc]

Hi Mate! How are you lot???

As paintwork goes, the metallics seem to be good wearing, most 1999 model Td5 extremes still have good metallic paint, IE unfaded etc, so I would expect the Puma models should continue on in this department. White is always a safe colour, but the new Zermatt silver etc seems a nice colour for example.

Talk soon.:)

JC

[Dave128]

Having had solid white Discoverys for many years, I moved to metallic with Defenders. Tonga green and now Zermatt. I have to admit I like the metallic colours.

I do not find that I get any more scratches than solid white. What I do though on major trips is to use some second skin roll-on protector. It needs to be on a couple of days before any rain and comes of with high pressure water.

[Tony2]

Hi Mate! How are you lot???

As paintwork goes, the metallics seem to be good wearing, most 1999 model Td5 extremes still have good metallic paint, IE unfaded etc, so I would expect the Puma models should continue on in this department. White is always a safe colour, but the new Zermatt silver etc seems a nice colour for example.

Talk soon.:)

JC

Justin,

Thanks matey...will give you a call soon.
Sent you an email a few days ago re Defenders.

Keep well,
Anthony (Tony)

[trailcutter]

Hello all,

As a potential owner of a new Defender next year (looks over shoulder to ensure wife is not reading), I am researching/seeking advice about paintwork.

Is a solid paint more durable than a metallic one?

I really like the Alaskan white (solid paint).

Does anyone have feelings on their metallic/solid paintwork, specifically on their defenders. What might be best for our Aussie sun as opposed to UK conditions? Is the Defender paintwork up to scratch (no pun intended)?

As this is a vehicle that I might be with for many years, I want to choose wisely. When no one is looking, I'm more then happy to wax the vehicle :eek: to add another layer of protection.

Great forum you have here and thanks for any advice.

Tony,
Perth.


have alaska white 3 weeks old ,,,,,looks 3 years old now ,with bush stripes,,,,,,,,:o, personally its solid for me ,i wash my vehicles once a year top side ,stops the paint fading re;; abrasive effect of the dirt when washing,,,do give,m a hose down now and again,,,,,on the other hand the underside/engine bay where it matters is kept clean as a whistle .......u may be suprised just how good the vehicle will stay when not subjected to chronic washing,,cheers ,,,,,,,,,,,,just buy it;).

[Tony2]

have alaska white 3 weeks old ,,,,,looks 3 years old now ,with bush stripes,,,,,,,,:o, personally its solid for me ,i wash my vehicles once a year top side ,stops the paint fading and abrasive effect of the dirt when washing,,,do give,m a hose down now and again,,,,,on the other hand the underside/engine bay where it matters is kept clean as a whistle .......u may be suprised just how good the vehicle will stay when not subjected to chronic washing,,cheers ,,,,,,,,,,,,just buy it;).
Good advice......the more I wash it the more it will leak :eek: !

[Gav110]

I had white on my TD5 - always served me well, however for the Puma I went Zermatt as it is very similar in effect (cool, doesn't show dirt) to white but just has a bit more 'bling' effect !

[boger]

hi got a 2001 110TR the paint work has held up really well still turns heads, good luck

[Tony2]

I had white on my TD5 - always served me well, however for the Puma I went Zermatt as it is very similar in effect (cool, doesn't show dirt) to white but just has a bit more 'bling' effect !


Zermatt is looking really good as an option.....great colour. I can't do dark colours, not in this climate anyway.

I have seen your Defender pics........(drools over keyboard).

Maybe next year.......maybe.

Tony.

[fishobob]

I'm in a similar conundrum myself as I'm seriously considering buying a new defender soon and I can't decide between the alaska white and the zermatt silver:confused:

As I'm also considering keeping the vehicle for 10-15+ years, I'm a little worried how the zermatt silver would look after that period of time with some hard use and abuse over the years. IMO, which could be wrong, the white would probably hold up better than the metallic silver. I'm not afraid to wash and regularly wax/polish the vehicle though so I may be able to keep the silver looking good too. Hmm decisions decisions..

Can you get the white with white metal flares like the metallic colours or are they available only with the black plastic flares?

[juddy]

We went for the Zermatt silver, only 7 months old now but still looks as new and its had a 4k outback trip to contend with. As for washing/polishing ones car, if its not done in the correct way then doing it on a regular basis, will result in damaged paint work, ie scratches and swirls, and some paint work fairs better than others...

[Gav110]

Mate the Zermatt is very hardwearing and has a deeper image as it's metallic and clear coated which seems to be tough. It also camouflages all manner of dirt very well, and it has a genuinely classy touch to it - esp. if you get the 'dual finish' alloy wheels which have a shiny silver outer rim - all looks uber classy - unlike my old white truck with black steels which looked like a farm truck....

[n plus one]

[QUOTE=Gav110;1322058]Mate the Zermatt is very hardwearing and has a deeper image as it's metallic and clear coated which seems to be tough. It also camouflages all manner of dirt very well, and it has a genuinely classy touch to it - [QUOTE]

Well I've already scatched the living Christ out of my Zermatt silver paint - but I reckon that's the terrain not the quality on the paint which, finish on the gutters notwithstanding, is pretty good.

[fishobob]

Thanks for the replies and comments re zermatt silver fellas.

I was secretely hoping you would say the silver was crap, scratches easily and looks terrible after a while, that would have made my decision a lot easier:wasntme:

I guess I'll just have to try and see both colours in the flesh and see which I prefer...

Cheers and all the best,
Rob

[scott oz]

........ major trips is to use some second skin roll-on protector. It needs to be on a couple of days before any rain and comes of with high pressure water.

Sorry but what is this stuff:angel: is it cheap and easily obtainable.

[flagg]

I've found white to be the best as is shows scratches the least... but it does go a bit pink with red sand.

All in all though, defenders (as do almost all new cars) have thin paint. It will scratch easily, and you will need to look after it to keep the finish up.

[jc109]

I've facing the same dillema, but am leaning towards the Santorini Black.

Anyone in that camp? I don't see many around Perth.

[lebanon]

Hi,

after 30 years of service the 110 still looks very good in its original white paint, it has been well scratched by thorns, bushes and trees and every time it is washed it turns heads. I must confess that it gets polish and waxed on yearly basis.
This goes without saying that in hot climates white reflects heat better than dark colors.

Regards and happy rovering.

[pc3]

Hypotheticaly if in 7 to 10 years your paint was a bit scuffed what is the cost of just getting it resprayed 2k ?? Or more ??

After I chose stornaway grey in hind site I might neally gave gone for that really dark green.... Might have suited the defer better, and every bugger has dark grey across the varying brands of cars. I am happy with the grey just so common !!

[flagg]

Hypotheticaly if in 7 to 10 years your paint was a bit scuffed what is the cost of just getting it resprayed 2k ?? Or more ??

Depends, but I would be thinking more like 6-7. I had a car done once after it was keyed and it totaled nearly 12k! (god bless shannons)

[John90]

I have a Puma 90 and 130 both in Keswick Green which was the only solid color available apart from white when I placed the orders. With the white roof I reckon they look great. I think defenders look best in solid colors with a white roof. When the basic design was established back in the forties metallic colors weren't available.

[malsgoing130]

my 10c worth is that all (stand to be corrected) vehicles sent to africa excluding south are white (or other 3rd world hot spots), might be harder wearing or easier to canabalise when searching for parts or just x UN cars.
I also believe game can see white like a flashing neon sign (not a really a problem in Aus) but they cant see beige, green etc too well. Game ranger mate of mine used to make his clients change there white tee shirts for more appropriate bush attire.

I personally prefer white but the metalics do look very nice and seeing that wild animals are not a major concern go with the silver....or white.

Cheers Mal