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Most nights I thumb through a few favorite Facebook groups before calling it quits, but yesterday’s doom‑scroll turned into a double‑take. Mid‑feed, a photo of Andy Morris’s Rivian R1T, freshly cloaked in KPMF Matte Burnished Bronze, popped up against a slate‑gray sky and basically yelled, “Quit scrolling and look at me!” A single tap later, I was stalking the entire thread, and what started as a curiosity break quickly snowballed into a deep dive on the art (and occasional agony) of EV customization.
Andy Morris (full quote):
“Got the wrap finished up finally, KPMF Matte Burnished Bronze. Goes great either way, the Forest Edge interior. It’s overcast today, so y’all will have to wait for some sunshine pics; maybe it’ll peek out later today and I can get some. Wrapped the lower panels & light bar high gloss black; light smoked the lights; painted emblems gloss black. Deciding on a color to paint the calipers and tow hooks, possibly a copper color. We will see.”
Why Bronze? Why Now?
Sure, Rivian’s factory colors lean outdoorsy, but none of them capture that warm “sunset‑in‑a‑rocks‑glass” glow like Matte Burnished Bronze. Andy told me he wanted a hue that felt rugged during the week yet classy for date night. The wrap nails that vibe, especially once you spy the Forest Edge interior peeking through the glass. Bronze and deep green might sound like Christmas décor on paper, but in the metal (or vinyl, technically) it feels more like an upscale ski lodge parking lot: warm, woodsy, and undeniably expensive‑looking.
Color nerds will point out bronze sits smack‑dab between brown and copper on the spectrum, which brings enough metallic richness to avoid looking like a flat UPS truck. And because the wrap is matte, it diffuses harsh reflections, so even a cloudy‑day photo has this cool, sculptural depth that glossy paint can’t touch.
Step‑by‑Step: Turning an R1TInto Rolling Art
Andy gave me a blow‑by‑blow of the weeklong makeover. Day one was a full de‑trim: fender liners out, badges cataloged, mirrors and tailgate panels tagged and bagged. Days two and three were all about vinyl gymnastics, matte film is unforgiving, so every air bubble had to be coaxed out like a stubborn wrinkle in a bedsheet. Day four? Gloss‑black attack: rocker panels, skid‑plate fascia, and that single‑piece light bar all got a slick piano‑black treatment. Day five wrapped with a light smoke over the head‑ and taillights plus fresh gloss‑black emblems.
While the truck was still up on the lift, Andy debated powder‑coating his brake calipers. Copper is the front‑runner, but he’s flirting with a darker “oil‑rubbed bronze” too. He figures if you’re going bold, go all the way, yet you still want a tone that won’t clash the moment Rivian drops a new software‑themed interior color in an over‑the‑air update.
First Impressions From the Peanut Gallery
Car culture is nothing if not opinionated. Within minutes of Andy’s post, the group’s notification bell sounded like a Vegas slot machine.
Adam: “I have seen the dark green finish similar to that and was thinking that was the most beautiful, but that brown is amazing. Please post more with the green interior and outside! Epic, awesome choice. Way to be different. Why blend in when you can stand out! Nice job, props.”
Tk Moore: “Whoa, I’ve seen many wraps, but this one… this one… muah… chef’s kiss.”
The praise piled on from there: emojis, flame icons, a couple of “take my money” GIFs, and at least one brave soul asking for cost details. (Spoiler, if you’re budgeting less than five grand, start saving.)
Does a Wrap Mess With Real‑World Road Trips?
Short answer: no. A good vinyl job adds maybe six kilos, nothing you’ll notice. Drag coefficient? Same deal unless a corner peels up. And thanks to improvements in route‑planning software, you’ll spend more time staring at scenery than battery bars. Just ask the family that recently completed a very long, successful 1,300‑mile trip in their Rivian R1S using nothing but Tesla Superchargers. Their only regret was forgetting to pack an extra SD card for all the photo ops.
Still worried about range. Remember Rivian’s Route Planner update that “accidentally” revealed early R2 and R3 specs. Between that leak and a growing NACS adapter rollout, finding a charger is easier than picking a Spotify playlist, unless, of course, somebody’s hogging a stall to rescue a Cybertruck. (Yes, that happened, a Cybertruck owner once handed over a Supercharger cable to bail out a stranded R1S. Good karma all around.)
Living With Matte: The Good, the Bad, and the Dusty
Let’s be honest, matte finishes look killer, but they’re dust magnets. Expect to quick‑detail your R1S more often than your neighbor wipes smudges off his iPhone. The upside? Matte hides micro‑swirls better than gloss, so you’re free to hit a forest trail without panicking every time a branch nicks the vinyl. And come resale time, you can peel the wrap to reveal paint that’s been living under a protective blanket.
Maintenance tips straight from Andy’s installer:
- Skip automated brush washes; the bristles are wrap‑rippers.
- Two‑bucket hand wash or touchless rinse only.
- Keep a bottle of ceramic‑safe detail spray in the frunk.
- If you do get a tear, resist the urge to slap on clear tape; a pro can usually patch a section without re‑wrapping a whole panel.
Reliability Reality Check (Because Looks Aren’t Everything)
So you’ve got a bronze R1Tthat turns heads at every stoplight, what happens if the drivetrain throws a curveball? Rivian’s still ironing out early teething pains, as one owner learned when his SUV unexpectedly slipped into neutral mid‑commute. On the flip side, a different driver just finished a Palm‑Springs‑to‑Las‑Vegas loop in a tri‑motor R1S and wouldn’t stop gushing about the ride comfort.
Then there’s the guy whose very first Rivian test drive ended in a grinding noise and a tow truck call, proof that no matter how flashy your wrap, service departments still judge a book by its VIN rather than its cover. Moral of the story: document your wrap, keep receipts, and photograph every panel gap. Paper trails calm warranty reps.
The Great Copper‑Caliper Conundrum
Let’s circle back to the ultimate question: should Andy’s calipers go copper? My vote is a resounding yes. Copper accents echo the wrap without looking like you tried to color‑match and missed by a shade. Powder‑coating offers durability (and an excuse to upgrade brake pads while everything’s apart), but it means pulling the calipers and re‑bleeding the system, a half‑day job if you’re handy, a full‑day plus Uber rides if you’re not.
Paint kits exist, but brush strokes on a six‑figure SUV feel wrong. Spray? Risky unless you build a DIY paint booth and block off every vent. Honestly, copper powder‑coat looks rich, hides brake dust, and glows like lit embers behind gloss‑black wheels. And if Andy matches his tow hooks, it’ll tie the whole exterior together like a movie score you don’t notice until the credits roll.
My Two Cents (Straight From the Driver’s Seat)
At seventeen, I’m old enough to remember the second wave of Plasti‑Dip trends, spray cans in every driveway, and I’ve watched vinyl technology evolve from “good from ten feet” to “wait, that’s not factory?” Matte Burnished Bronze might feel edgy now, but I suspect we’ll look back in ten years and see it as a turning point where EV owners collectively said, “Forget blending in; let’s bring the art car spirit to daily driving.”
More important than any color code, though, is the mindset Andy demonstrates: use your car as a canvas. Cars are emotional devices; when we personalize them, we amplify that emotion. You can crunch range numbers, battery chemistry, and depreciation curves all day, but the first moment you catch your reflection in a bronze‑wrapped door? That’s why we’re all here.
Quick‑Start Guide for Your Own Wrap Adventure
- Set a realistic budget: $5–$7 K for color‑change vinyl on an R1T, more with paint‑protection film.
- Vet the shop: EV‑savvy installers know where the high‑voltage lines lurk.
- Insist on edge‑sealing and a ceramic top‑coat: It’s an upcharge that pays for itself in longevity.
- Photograph everything pre‑wrap and post‑wrap: Your warranty rep will thank you.
- Coordinate accents before you sign the invoice: Calipers, tow hooks, wheels, even roof‑rack crossbars, plan once, paint once.
Moral of the Story
A true adventure rig isn’t just about spec sheets or factory options; it’s about turning the blank slate Rivian builds into something unmistakably yours. Whether that means bronze vinyl, copper calipers, or simply a roof‑top tent and mud splatter is up to you. Let your vehicle reflect your taste, and don’t wait for perfect weather or unanimous approval before rolling with your vision.
Let’s Keep This Conversation Rolling
- Have you wrapped or otherwise customized your EV? What surprise lessons did you learn along the way?
- Copper calipers on a Matte Burnished Bronze R1S, instant classic or one mod too many?
Narek Hareyan is a young automotive journalist with experience in a golf cart dealership and an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Narek on X for daily news coverage about cars.
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Source: torquenews.com
