I have a 1996 XJS convertible in BRG. I like the car in green, and would like to keep it that way. The paint on the trunk and one of the front fenders is starting to crackle, so I'm having the entire car repainted. Along the way, I'm removing the bumpers that the PO had installed along the sides.

I was wondering whether I should consider a better dark green? I don't think a metallic would fit the car, but maybe copy one of the Aston-Martin greens?

Does anyone have any advice? Thanks in advance.

 

I have just gone through this thought process myself. Car was originally blue. I went and looked at a few shows narrowed it down to silver or black and finally settled on black. Bought a tin of the correct black and tried it on the car. Disliked a lot. I went back to the paint suppliers and tried two more aerosols before deciding on a jaguar metallic black from a modern car. I did the “ it’s not original argument” in my head and decided in the end it was my car and my money and I was putting the hours in so that was that. I’m happy with my choice but know it’s not as easy as you think.

 

I totally agree Brinny. Slavish originality is for the birds - whether cosmetic or mechanical. My only personal rules are not to spoil the car's wonderful looks, mechanically only to make it better, easier to service and more reliable. Metallics really suit the car IMO, too.
We have the luxury of being able to do things to our cars that the factory might well have done if costs were not a consideration, so why on earth not? Plus, Jaguar had a programme in the early 1990s which allowed owners to select anything they wanted from a colour pint of view. I kid you not, I have seen an XJS with green tinted dashboard wood; absolutely hideous, but done by the factory!
Cheers
Greg

 

I don't think I ever saw a metallic green on the XJS before.

I'm not planning on respraying the interior of the car, so although I might choose a different BRG, I don't think I'm planning on making a drastic change.

I flipped through some of the Aston Martin greens...but I guess only by seeing it in person could I really make the determination. That, or follow Brinny's idea by ordering paints and trying them out.

 

I really hate clear coat peeling (dealing with it now), so when I repaint my XJS, I plan to do a good ole single stage. I like the richness of the color anyway.

As a result I've looked through older Jag racing greens. Keep in mind there are tons of variation in BRG, with Jags typically being darker. Maybe also helpful to go with a color used over the greatest range and years.

Don't forget to keep a pint or so from the spray for later touch-ups.

 

Any advice on stripping anything off the car to make sure it gets taken off properly? I am particularly concerned about the headlight washer jets at the front bumper chrome.

 

I particularly liked the BRG green on my Triumph TR8. It's called Poseidon. It has a little blue in it. Would have to be a two-stage metallic though.

 

Thank you, looking into that suggestion!

 

I had an MGC painted in Connaught Green which is really nice colour, darker than Dark BRG and really looked the business.

 

That looks great in the photo!

I’m starting to flip through pics of Lotus now....

 

Below please find a photo of a 1989 XJ-S in Moorland green, paint code HET, which is metallic.

 

Hi Jp72

That's the same color that 'Fern' was!

One of my Favorite Colors of all time

 

Thanks for posting. I prefer the darker colors. I think the only thing I don't like about the color I have is that is has too much blue in it.

I think I'm concluding that Connaught Green might be the answer!

 

I agree - that Connaught Green is really nice. I find the lighter greens, like the Moorland Green, are a bit washed-out. The darker green will really look good on the XJS.

 

The MG was originally BRG which was fine.
I had a bit of a prang in it when some dozy wotsit drove in to the front wing and bust the suspension.
This was 2 days before I went off to sea for 3 months and whilst I was away my brother-in-law fixed it and repainted it in Connaught Green and it looked the bees knees.
About a decade later (I had it for 18 years) I decided that it needed a refresh so gave it to a local guy to do whilst I was away again and when I came back he had done a lovely job of painting it in BRG!
It just didn't look right so I flogged it.

 

I too have a '96 XJS in BRG and I really like the color so I personally would not change it (my paint is original and excellent condition so it's not really a consideration). There have been many BRG variations over the years.

But, I find once you start changing the color and unless you paint engine compartment, door jams, inside hood and trunk lids, etc... which can get really expensive...it will never really look right.

If you're thinking of a metallic look, the F Type has a BRG that looks metallic and is a little darker.

 

My Mercedes is Almandine Green and that Color doesn't show the dirt even though I wash it at least once a year