Chrome Your Ride: The Ultimate Cyberpunk 2077 Vehicle Paint & Customization Guide
Cruising through the neon-drenched streets of Night City in a stock Javelina or a standard Quadra Type-66 just doesn't feel right, does it? In a world built on style over substance and personal expression, your ride should be a direct extension of your V’s legend. While the game offers a staggering array of ways to customize your character, the process for personalizing your vehicle can seem a bit... mysterious. You’re not alone if you’ve found yourself asking, "How do I change my car's paint job in Cyberpunk 2077?"
Well, choom, you've come to the right place. This comprehensive guide is your one-stop shop for everything related to Cyberpunk 2077 vehicle customization. We're going to dive deep into the system, exploring every vehicle paint option, how to unlock them, and how to make your car or motorcycle truly yours. Let's get your wheels looking as iconic as your reputation.
The Heart of the Matter: Autofixer and the "Ride" Tab
Let's cut to the chase and solve the primary question immediately. Unlike visiting a physical garage, the entire process of changing your car's appearance is handled digitally through your in-game computer or datapad.
The key is the Autofixer website. This is the same site you use to buy new vehicles. Once you’ve accessed Autofixer, navigate to the "Ride" tab. Here’s the magic: if you own multiple vehicles of the same model, they will all appear in this list. By selecting a specific vehicle, you are given the option to "Configure" it. Click that, and a new world of aesthetic possibilities opens up.
This "Configure" menu is your ultimate vehicle customization hub in Cyberpunk 2077. It’s here that you can browse and apply all the paint jobs you’ve unlocked for that specific car model.
Unlocking the Rainbow: How to Get New Vehicle Paint Jobs
So, you’ve found the menu, but it’s looking a little bare. How do you fill it with a vibrant spectrum of colors and patterns? This is where the real gameplay loop comes in, and it’s tied directly to one of Night City's most persistent nuisances: crime.
The primary method for unlocking new paints is by neutralizing Organized Crime activities, often linked to the Scavengers, Maelstrom, or other gangs. When you clear out one of these marked locations on your map, you’ll often find a Vehicle Paint Datashard on a computer terminal or on the body of a key enemy. Picking up this datashard automatically unlocks a new color scheme for a random vehicle that you own.
This system means that to collect all the rare vehicle paints in Cyberpunk 2077, you need to be both a prolific car collector and a vigilante. The more cars you own, the higher the chance that the paint job you unlock will be for a model in your garage. It encourages exploration and engaging with the world's dynamic content.
A Spectrum of Styles: Types of Paint Jobs Available
The paint jobs in Cyberpunk 2077 aren't just simple color swaps. They range from sleek, single-tone finishes to complex, eye-catching patterns that scream "Night City." Let's break down the common types you'll encounter:
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Solid Colors: These are your classic, no-nonsense paints. Think "Vicious Red," "Corpo Black," or "Mako Turbo Yellow." They give your vehicle a clean, professional, or aggressively sleek look. Perfect for when you want your Quadra to look like a true supercar or your Villefort to scream corporate power.
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Two-Tone and Racing Stripes: A step up in complexity, these designs often feature a primary color with a contrasting secondary color on the hood, roof, or sides. Some include racing stripes, harkening back to classic muscle car aesthetics but with a futuristic twist. This is a great way to add some flair without going over the top.
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Camo and Tactical Patterns: For the nomad or the solo who prefers a more militaristic vibe. You'll find digital camo patterns in urban grey, desert tan, or even vibrant greens. Applying one of these to a Thorton Mackinaw or a Chevillon Emperor instantly gives it a rugged, battle-ready appearance.
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Neon and Luminescent Accents: This is where the true cyberpunk aesthetic shines. Some paint jobs incorporate glowing elements, mimicking the neon signs of Japantown or the glow of a braindance interface. Cruising through Pacifica at night in a car with neon underglow or glowing side panels is an experience in itself.
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Branded and Themed Livery: These are some of the most sought-after custom paint jobs in Cyberpunk 2077. They feature logos, brand names, and intricate graphic designs that cover large portions of the vehicle. You might find a livery covered in "Afterlife" logos, "Kang Tao" branding, or abstract geometric patterns that look like they're straight out of a netrunner's dream.
Pro-Tips for the Aspiring Wheel Artist
Knowing the system is one thing; mastering it is another. Here are some key tips to optimize your Cyberpunk 2077 vehicle paint guide journey:
- Check Your Journal: Under the "Shards" section of your journal, there’s a specific category for "Vehicle Paint." This catalogues every paint shard you’ve collected and shows you which vehicle model it’s for. It’s the best way to track your progress.
- Buy More Cars: It sounds simple, but it's crucial. The more vehicles you purchase from Autofixer, the larger the pool of potential models you can unlock paints for. If you only own one car, you might get unlucky and keep finding paints for models you don't have.
- Explore Thoroughly: Don't just rush through an Organized Crime scene. After you've dealt with the enemies, search every corner, check every computer, and loot every notable body. The paint datashard can be easy to miss.
- Preview is Your Friend: The "Configure" menu allows you to preview any unlocked paint job before you apply it. Use this! See how the light hits the metallic flake in different districts. Check if that aggressive camo pattern looks as good on a tiny Hella as it does on a massive Colby.
- Motorcycles Count Too!: This entire system applies to your two-wheeled beauties just as much as your four-wheeled beasts. Unlocking a new color for Jackie's Arch or a Yaiba Kusanagi can be just as satisfying.
Beyond Paint: The Limits of Customization
It's important to address a related question many players have: can you do more than just change the paint? The honest answer is no. The Cyberpunk 2077 vehicle customization options are currently limited to paint jobs. You cannot change body kits, spoilers, rims, exhausts, or engine performance.
While this might be disappointing for some, the paint system is a robust and rewarding way to express yourself. Each unique livery can completely transform the feel of a vehicle, making it look faster, more dangerous, or more luxurious. It’s about crafting a visual identity for your fleet as you become a legend of the Afterlife.
So, get out there, choom. Hunt down those Scavenger dens, liberate those datashards, and start building the most visually stunning garage in all of Night City. Your perfect, chrome-plated ride is waiting.
