Paint to Sample: cult colours celebrate a comeback
In recent years, the demand for custom-painted Porsche cars has risen sharply. With its new options, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur has significantly increased capacity in this area. A new colour-mixing bench has been put into operation at the main plant in Zuffenhausen, where paint specialists blend several dozen ingredients down to the last milligram in order to achieve the desired shade. Each batch is divided into two paint pots for bodywork and add-on parts. The areas to be painted on the vehicle consist largely of aluminium, plastics and carbon/fibreglass composites. This mix of materials and the different application methods and drying temperatures require slightly different paint compositions, depending on the component. Batch comparison plates are painted and serve as colour reference samples during the final inspection of the vehicle.
Porsche is not only expanding its colour range, but also restructuring it: Custom Colour has been renamed Paint to Sample. This category includes predefined colours that have already been technically approved by Porsche’s paint specialists. Examples include Maritimeblue, Rubystar, Mintgreen and Manausblue. These colourful choices from the 1990s enjoy cult status among Porsche fans. In the past, they were offered on the 911 (Type 964). As part of Porsche’s enhanced individualisation strategy, the legendary paint shades are now celebrating a comeback. Thanks to Paint to Sample, current Porsche models can be painted in these eye-catching classics.
The range is really diverse and depends on the model series and production location. For the 911 and 718 model series, there are more than 100 additional paint colours to choose from. For the Panamera, Macan and Cayenne, there are more than 50 options, while a further 65 colours complete the range for Taycan customers. Paint to Sample can be ordered as part of new vehicle configurations at Porsche Centres. It adds about three months to the delivery lead time compared to standard colours. Prices within the model series vary depending on the derivative. The offer is set to be integrated into the Porsche Car Configurator from early 2022. Online filter options, for example by colour family, and background information on the individual colours will follow successively.
Paint to Sample Plus: extensive feasibility check
For especially individual colour requests, Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur goes a step further: with Paint to Sample Plus the paint finish can be chosen almost entirely freely. This option is available for the model lines 911, 718 and Taycan.
The procedure is as follows: the customer hands over a sample of their desired colour to the Porsche Centre – anything is conceivable, from a favourite shirt or scarf to a nail varnish colour. This sample is then sent to Porsche AG. There, a separate feasibility check is carried out for each request, which can take several months depending on the work involved.
From there, Porsche’s colourists create the formulation. These experts develop the hue on the basis of the available paint components. Then, in several rounds, the shade is further developed so that it also corresponds to the sample under different light sources, such as daylight or artificial light. Next, the feasibility of the colour is tested under production conditions on the car body and add-on parts. It is also essential to define the layer thickness, which enables process-stable, reproducible and error-free painting. Before the actual customer vehicle is painted, the colour is applied to a test body. If it transpires that the desired shade cannot be realised in accordance with its usual quality standards, Porsche will bear the costs of the feasibility test.
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