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Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHRare: Black Pearl paint on 1999 Carrera (early build)
Reported or suspected cause
having the door handles outsourced and painted
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No successful repair reported for this finding.
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Reported cause
The door handles on my car are slightly lighter than the paint, and this is due to having the door handles outsourced and painted before assembly.
Rare: Black Pearl paint on 1999 Carrera (early build)
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Leading evidence: 'having the door handles outsourced and painted' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'having the door handles outsourced and painted' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace color' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
They explained their paint guy ran many paint samples based on the Porsche color code, but couldn't get a perfect match.
Rare: Black Pearl paint on 1999 Carrera (early build)
Use paint well beyond the early 996
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
Drop the "L" in L744 and you'll find that Porsche used the paint well beyond the early 996.
Rare: Black Pearl paint on 1999 Carrera (early build)
Replace color
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Suggestion
Under direct sunlight, the car changes color to a more vibrant blue color with the metallic shining through.
Rare: Black Pearl paint on 1999 Carrera (early build)
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22 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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Generation: 20261027T150039Z · outcome-qualification-6. Deterministic extraction; no AI model inference. How we use sources
Maybe some of you can help me confirm a Paint question I have on my 996. I have an early-build 996 coupe (4/98) with Paint Code L744, which is Black Pearl. The color is great and gets compliments all the time for the bronze-colored metallic hints it gives off in certain light.
But here's my quandary: All the websites I review tell me that Black Pearl was not a paint color in 1999, only in 2000.
Rennbow, the Porsche Color Wiki:
https://www.rennbow.org/color-wiki?m...ch=1&go=search
AutomotiveTouchup:
https://www.rennbow.org/color-wiki?m...ch=1&go=search
CarsDirect:
https://www.carsdirect.com/1999/porsche/911/colors
And yet, here is my car's original factory options tag with L744 and clearly, my paint is Black Pearl. Interestingly enough, 1998 911 color options DID include Black pearl, so It seems that the Black Pearl L744 will ONLY be found on the eat-build cars that were built alongside the 993's before the 996 factory was completed. Yet another rarity for my car.
So, anyone else owned or seen a 1999 with Black Pearl Paint?
Can't provide any kind of answer you're looking for, but can say that's a beautiful exterior color option paired with XAA. Rare bird that deserves all the compliments.
Thanks! It's def a rare bird with the (XAA) Aerokit and the (220) limited slip diff and the (XRB) Sport Classic Wheels. So now I just need to figure out this paint. I am not sure what L741 "Black Metallic" looks like on the 1999 and if maybe it's quite close, but I have read that's more "charcoal" colored.
Thanks! I'm a bit biased, but I think the early-build XAA 996 will go down as an absolute collectable classic. With the GT3 not available until a few years later, the 1999 XAA version is kinda like the M430 turbo-look cars of 1985: the only way to look like the top of the line car. Also, I love the way it drives: I installed new coilovers and lowered it just a tad and installed the Fister exhaust mod.
Exactly. But yet that's what I have. The only place I see it listed is on this website below, which indicates it's just another code for "Black Metallic" but I'm pretty sure this paint has more bronze in it. I have heard some say that Black metallic was known as "Root beer Black", so I'd love to see anyone with a Black Metallic sample up close.
https://www.porscheclubgb.com/legacy...aint_codes.pdf
My Build date is 4/98, so the 1998 paint codes may make more sense.
Your paint looks exactly like my prior car did (1998 with L741 paint code). I remember having some paint charts showing the codes and I believe the different between L741 & L744 was whether it was a solvent based or water based paint. I will see if I can find the charts again.
You have "09991" which is the code for something special, so the car could be paint-to-sample. Porsche will paint the car any color the buyer wants for the right amount of $$$$. Especially if it's a color from a recent year production.
Ah, yes, great catch. I forgot about that one! And it goes with the 09981, meaning the car was moved off the line for some exclusive non-standard work. I have often wondered if many early builds had that, because they were all pretty much special builds, happening on the 993 factory floor rather than in the not-yet completed 996 factory.
I have an early 2000 model year , which i call a transition car, it has Egas but yet has cable to open the frunk and rear hatches... the paint code is L744 and it is an XAA car from factory...Natural Brown interior extended leather, however mine has Sport Design rims think euro GT3 wheels.
My paint has the bronze hue also and i agree it really pops in the sunlight, you can see the car in my sig..
Ah, great, another L744, and it makes sense since it was available in 2000 MY. I love the Sport Design Wheels you have, I had them on my first 2000 996, which was Ocean Blue with XAA, back in 2004.
Drop the "L" in L744 and you'll find that Porsche used the paint well beyond the early 996. Even the Boxsters. It goes by Basalt Black Pearl. The L apparently stands for Lacquer.
When I was hunting a touchup match, I had to drop the L for Ocean Blue Metallic. The "L" (i.e. L3AZ) was on the hood option sticker, but NOT the paint code sticker. Another hard paint to match. The touch up company couldn't get it right, nor one of the best body shops in my area. I guess it could be worse. I could own one of those ME cars with Violet Chromaflair. I've heard that's a nightmare to match. Might as well just respray the whole car.
ME cars are the worst to try and paintmatch. Ask Chance Hales - he put an aerokit on his ME and trying to get the match was awful. Paint is super expensive and the formula is...guarded. Wish I knew his username on here.
I feel his pain. Ocean Blue Metallic is another hard one. The metallic flakes are a mix of royal blue and mint green to give it an aqua color in direct sunlight. The color has a unique variance in shades. Under overcast sunlight, the car appears to be purple in nature. Under direct sunlight, the car changes color to a more vibrant blue color with the metallic shining through.
Now my situation is similar to the person you mentioned. I bought a new front bumper skin and rear deck lid grille from Porsche in Atlanta. I asked them to paint the hood along with the new bumper and grille. This is what I got. (see image) The body shop has done great work for me in the past on other cars, but they said they did the best they could. They explained their paint guy ran many paint samples based on the Porsche color code, but couldn't get a perfect match. Even had the auto paint company come out and do a scan. The only other option would be to spray larger sections and blend the paint. Of course, they wanted more money to do it. Ironically, they are an certified Porsche body shop.
Matching existing paint, especially metallics, is a voodoo science, as many variables exist. The door handles on my car are slightly lighter than the paint, and this is due to having the door handles outsourced and painted before assembly. I ordered a fiberglass tonneau cover a few years ago to match my pickup truck's paint. The dealer needed to find the exact date the truck was painted because the manufacturer added compounds to the paint during the winter months, which affected the paint's chroma and color value. This is why people are encouraged to purchase extra when ordering wallpaper, vinyl, or other decorative products, as printing or dye lots vary. My front and rear bumper need to be repainted, and I will throw fate to the wind as it will be a miracle to come even close; it is a twenty-year-old, mirage metallic car with thirty-three thousand on the odometer. Even solid colors can be hard to match, given UV or age!
I have an 3/98 build 996 with the same paint code. Some similar options as yours. I still have the original hollow spoke wheels. Previous owner had the car resprayed due to difficulty touching up the metallic paint. The car is black with brown showing through in certain light. Love your Aerokit.
My Millenium Edition looked like that the other day. Then I kept walking and it turned violet. Took a few more steps and then it was green! Right before my eyes!
Nice color!
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