I'm trying to decide between 3 paint colors for the P5, red, laser blue and vivid yellow. I have heard many people complain that the yellow paint is not very durable. I have also heard many people complain that the red paint will fade.

I know the laser blue is a mica finish, what does this mean? Is it more chip resistant than the red and yellow finish?

How tough is the red finish? I have my doubts about the fading complaints, it seems like this shouldn't be a problem if the paint is cared for properly.

Thanks in advance for any links to previous threads, and other input.

 

all mica means is that it is more metallic looking.

 

the paint - regardless of color - is weak. Very soft and very easy to chip, scratch and scuff. Wash and wax often.

 

doesnt matter which color you decide!
mazda paint blows, no color is better then the other, the problem is that the paint for our pros is just way to thin, they say it is better for the environment(guess it is biodegradable when it chips off- mada @#$holes) point blank just cutting their cost. just dont ride peoples butts on highways. and what my paint and body man told me is that mica colors are a little easier to match.
if that helps you in any way

 

Man I love those tints.

Sorry, just an outburst.

 

hey just don't get yellow. unless u take care really nice. I mean really nice.
i have mine for yellow but got alot of chips
I cry everyday.
It is great color and nice car
but when it comes to painting job, mazda SUCKS!!!

 

My silver paint has held up pretty well for over a year and 17,000 miles. It chips off the soft parts (front bumper etc) but has fared well on the sheet metal. The mica part of the paint are the tiny metallic chips in the paint that give the metallic luster. BTW silver is a hard color to match. My rear bumper was replaced not long ago and in certain light it matches well, in others it looks darker and bluer. I love the Laser Blue on the car. Good luck with your decision and purchase!

 

I tell people,"Please don't rub against my car or you will rub the paint off, it is special Mazda water color paint." I am afraid to take it in the rain because the color might come off. The paint sucks. I have a 1989 Mazda MX-6 GT is has the most durable I have ever seen. Mazda's new moto is pay more get less.

 

I like the Laser Blue...

And I have noticed that signs for stores and stuff that have red in them tend to have the red fade out a lot more quickly. Don't know if that applies to car paint too. Red paint used to have lead in it, of course it doesn't anymore, so maybe it's not as good as other colors?

Well, IMO, you should just get the blue

 

Is it really that bad? After 3-4 years, it's gonna be w/o any paint then!? Is there anyway to protect it, like waxing?? Anything that I can do w/ my new car to make sure the paint is protected?

 

What is Mica?

 

Yes!!!
It is a group of minerals called "sheet silicates" that exhibit perfect, basal (1-direction) cleavage. It is associaed with some igneous intrusions with granite or pegmatites but is very common in metamorphic rocks. Often cyrstals are only microscopic to a few mm in size.There are a few common varieties.. Biotite, Muscovite, Chlorite and Vermiculite are considered "Micas".
Uses include insulators, porcelain and the above-mentioned lampshades, etc.
Muscovite was also used as window panes during the Middle Ages since these sheets can be split thinly and it can be rather transluscent.
Is it actually in Mazda's paint? I'm not sure, but it certainly is yet another groovy product of the planet!

 

Mica is making it's way into many automotive finishes. It can be chopped up smaller than other metal materials that were previously used (aluminum, I think?) and give a great luster without the big flake look.

As far as it being groovy, I know what you're saying. I remember being fascinated by goofing around with mica samples in science classes back in junior high school. Yeah, almost as cool as playing around with loose mercury from broken thermometers. Wouldn't do that these days, but back then who knew?

 

the paint fade and/or chips