Side Blades - body colour or not

[Curious2]

Hello all.

Just configuring a Macan S and am pondering on the side blade finish.

I guess the standard Lava Black finish will offer protection from stone chips. But I wonder if they are easy to keep clean and will they be a nightmare if any polish should accidentally get on them ?

Painting the side blades to body colour is tempting aesthetically but I guess the downside is scratching and or stone chips.

Would appreciate your thoughts.

[GeoffH]

Have not had any problems re stone chips nor scratches. I personally prefer body coloured side blades but might depend on colour.

[GeoffH]

And I've no idea as to why my photo is upside down nor could I find a way of turning it round!

[VanB]

I think body colour works better on darker cars but the contrast looks good on lighter cars

[Paul]

Welcome Curious2!
Yes, the standard blades on the S models do have a stippled finish and are a bit if a bugger to keep looking nice. I used a soft nail brush on my previous SD on occasions!
I’ve no experience with painted blades, but my current GTS, which has smooth plastic blades has a few chips / pits where the odd stone has gone in but no worse than anywhere else on the car.
I guess it depends on exterior colour choice too (and budget) as Geoff’s picture shows
Pop your spec up and we’ll help you decide

[andreas]

I ordered my Macan S in Jet Black, so just left the standard side blade finish. I think the side blades are a styling cue, so having them in body colour perhaps diminishes their visual impact.

[spook]

My old Petrol S VG.
As you can see i didn't like the front lip or the contrast the black plastic on the side blades and bottom of the mirrors gave.
So I went for Sports Design inc mirrors and painted side blades and as Paul mentions above the stippled standard blades are a bit tricky to clean.

[SP6IGHT]

I think painted looks best and cleaning is easy. Just keep them well waxed.

Also consider painting the rear centre panel, Makes the 4 pipes standout more.

[SAC1]

Hello Curious2 and welcome!

I elected to have the standard finish side-blades to contrast with the Rhodium Silver. This it does and was fine for the initial (summer) months in terms of ease of cleaning. Just the occasional use of Armorall to bring back the solid dark black look.

Now in the November murkyness and with the wet muddy lanes, they're a pain to keep clean. If you're predominantly using 'clean' roads like city / A-road / motorways you'll probably be OK.

Go for the painted / smooth finish option for the ease of cleaning though.

[Curious2]

Many thanks for all your replies. Colour will be Agate. Spec so far PJH8PED4