When I had it mixed out of average automotive paint, the mix called for a triple stage.I'm sure you can get something similar out of normal base/clear, but it won't be Chrome Orange :) Photos don't do it justice.
I'd stay away from metallics on an NA. The body doesn't reward them. Go bold and non-metallic.
jmc14
HalfDork
11/28/21 4:25 a.m.
I painted my Corvette based Cobra build Corvette Atomic Orange. I like the color on the Cobra and always thought that it would look good on my Miata NA.
This picture was towards the end of the day. In bright sunlight the color looks more copper to me.
Rodan
SuperDork
11/28/21 7:58 a.m.
In reply to jmc14 :
That looks way better than that color ever did on a 'Vette!
Stampie
MegaDork
11/28/21 9:10 a.m.
I'm glad a lot of you are saying orange. I'll count that as a victory for me.
demnted
New Reader
11/28/21 10:05 a.m.
Make your own tri coat, hi vis orange single stage carefully wetsand any imperfections. Then with compatable clear, your local paint shop should know, add say an orange and possibly a copper, gold for less of a color shift, dry pearl to the first coats of clear. I recommend two coats medium wet then final clear 2-3 coats with unpearled clear. For repeatability record materials used and weigh the dry items, measure the wet ingredients and air settings that worked best, makes matching for future touchups much easier.
Stampie said:
I'm glad a lot of you are saying orange. I'll count that as a victory for me.
That will sure make autox more interesting.
Driven5
UberDork
11/28/21 12:09 p.m.
Here's an NA in Lava Orange from the 05 MSM:
Debbie (Honda Element) is Sunset Orange Pearl and Little Debbie (Porsche 986) is Zanzibar Red aka OrangeRedPearl. Very similar and the color shifts between oranges and reds with the light.
Little Debbie at sunset, looking red:
Looking Orange:
One paint to have Both colors.
Toot
New Reader
11/28/21 1:16 p.m.
If you are looking for inexpensive orange single stage this is one I did couple years ago.
I wasn't a fan of orange cars until my first Miata. It had a lava orange repaint and looked great.
In all seriousness, is there a bad color for the Miata? Like the 911, a Miata seems to look good in any color. (The same cannot be said for all graphics, however.)
Personally, I dig the non-metallic greens and even something close tan--like the Cargo Khaki used on the Honda Element.