Forza Horizon 4 offers an expansive open-world racing experience, and a core part of its appeal lies in personalizing your vehicles. Many players want to know how to change colour of car in Forza Horizon 4 to express their style or simply refresh their ride. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough, detailing every step from accessing the customization menus to applying unique paint finishes and advanced livery designs, ensuring your car truly stands out on the roads of Britain.
Understanding Forza Horizon 4’s Customization Philosophy
Forza Horizon 4 excels in giving players unparalleled freedom, not just in driving but also in vehicle aesthetics. The game’s design suite allows for intricate modifications, making each car a blank canvas. From a simple factory respray to complex vinyl art, the customization options are deep, reflecting a passion for automotive design. This commitment to player expression is a cornerstone of the game, encouraging creativity and individuality within the vibrant Horizon festival. The in-game garage and paint shop are intuitive, but understanding the various layers of customization can elevate a simple color change into a true work of art.
Accessing the Design and Paint Shop
To change colour of car in Forza Horizon 4, you need to navigate to the appropriate menu within the game. This can be done in a couple of primary locations:
At Any Festival Site or House
The most common way to access car customization is by driving to any Festival Site or one of your purchased Houses on the map. These locations serve as your central hub for various activities, including upgrading and painting your vehicles.
- Drive to a Location: Simply drive your active car into the designated garage area at a Festival Site or your House.
- Enter the Menu: Once there, a prompt will usually appear allowing you to enter the “Festival Playlist,” “Garage,” or “My Horizon” menu. Select “Garage.”
- Find the “Designs & Paints” Option: Within the Garage menu, you will see several options like “Upgrades & Tuning,” “Buy & Sell Cars,” and “Designs & Paints.” Select “Designs & Paints.”
From the Pause Menu (Anywhere on the Map)
For quick access, especially when you’re out exploring and decide you want to tweak your car’s look, you can use the pause menu.
- Pause the Game: Press the pause button on your controller or keyboard to bring up the main menu.
- Navigate to Cars: Select the “Cars” tab from the top menu bar.
- Choose “Designs & Paints”: Under the “Cars” section, you’ll find the “Designs & Paints” option. Selecting this will take you directly to the customization interface for your currently active vehicle.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Your Car’s Color
Once you’re in the “Designs & Paints” menu, the process to change colour of car in Forza Horizon 4 is straightforward.
1. Selecting a Car (If Not Already Active)
If you accessed the menu from a Festival Site or House, you might first need to select the car you wish to customize from your garage. If you entered via the pause menu, it will automatically default to your currently driven vehicle.
2. Entering the Paint Car Menu
Within “Designs & Paints,” you’ll typically see options like “My Designs,” “Apply Vinyls,” “Find New Designs,” and “Paint Car.” Select “Paint Car” to begin modifying its color.
3. Applying a New Paint Color
The “Paint Car” menu offers several categories for customization:
- Paint Color: This is where you select the primary hue for your vehicle. You can browse a wide spectrum of colors.
- Special Colors: Beyond standard colors, this section often includes unique finishes like metallic flakes, pearlescent effects, or chrome.
- Manufacturer Colors: Some cars come with exclusive manufacturer paint options that replicate real-world factory finishes.
- Custom Color: This is where the real depth lies. You can fine-tune the hue, saturation, and brightness to create virtually any color imaginable. Using the sliders, you can precisely mix your desired shade. This offers far more control than simply picking from a preset palette.
Here’s how to use the Custom Color option effectively:
- Select a Section: You can usually choose to paint the “Body,” “Mirrors,” or “Caliper” separately, though “Body” is the main focus for changing the overall car color.
- Adjust Hue: This slider changes the base color (e.g., from red to orange, green to blue).
- Adjust Saturation: This slider controls the intensity or purity of the color. Low saturation makes colors appear grayish, while high saturation makes them vibrant.
- Adjust Brightness: This slider dictates how light or dark the color appears.
- Choose Paint Type: After setting your custom color, you can then select a “Paint Type” (often listed as a separate option or a sub-menu). Common types include:
- Gloss: Standard shiny finish.
- Matte: Non-reflective, flat appearance.
- Semi-Gloss: A slight sheen, less reflective than gloss.
- Metallic: Contains metallic flakes, giving it a sparkle.
- Pearlescent: Shifts color subtly depending on the viewing angle and light.
- Chrome: Highly reflective, mirror-like finish.
- Two-Tone: Allows for different color application on distinct parts of the body.
Experiment with different combinations of custom color values and paint types to achieve your desired effect. For example, a dark grey with a matte finish can look menacing, while a bright cyan with a pearlescent paint type can give a vibrant, shifting effect.
4. Saving Your Design
Once you are satisfied with your new car color, make sure to save your changes.
- Confirm Changes: Look for a “Done” or “Apply” button, usually at the bottom of the screen.
- Save Livery: The game will typically prompt you to save your “livery.” A livery encompasses all paint, vinyl, and decal work on a car. It’s crucial to save this, otherwise your changes will be lost when you exit the menu. You can save it as a new design or overwrite an existing one. Give it a descriptive name for easy identification later.
Advanced Customization Options: Beyond Basic Color
While simply changing the primary color is a great start, Forza Horizon 4 offers even more sophisticated tools to personalize your vehicle.
Paint Types and Finishes
As mentioned, the various paint types dramatically alter the perception of your chosen color. A rich red can look classic in gloss, aggressive in matte, or luxurious with a pearlescent shimmer. Understanding how light interacts with these finishes is key to mastering your car’s aesthetic. High-quality paints, similar to those found in real-world automotive detailing, often require meticulous application to achieve a flawless finish. The precision of the in-game tools allows for a virtual equivalent of this craft.
Liveries and Decals (Vinyl Editor)
The “Vinyl Editor” is where artists truly shine. This powerful tool allows you to:
- Apply Pre-made Vinyls: Choose from a vast library of shapes, logos, and designs created by Turn 10 Studios or other players.
- Create Custom Vinyls: Layer geometric shapes, letters, and numbers to build complex images and patterns. You can change the color, size, rotation, and opacity of each layer. This enables the creation of racing stripes, brand logos, intricate murals, or full-body wraps.
- Share and Download Liveries: The Forza community is incredibly active. You can upload your custom designs for others to download and apply to their cars, or you can browse and download liveries created by other talented players. This is a fantastic way to find unique looks if you’re not confident in your own design skills or simply want inspiration. Many players scour these community designs for standout art, often finding intricate works that showcase true dedication.
When creating custom liveries, consider the overall theme of your car. Is it a racing machine, a classic cruiser, or a drift monster? The livery should complement its purpose and your chosen colour of car in Forza Horizon 4.
Manufacturer Colors vs. Custom Paints
While custom paints offer infinite possibilities, don’t overlook “Manufacturer Colors.” These are often exact replicas of paint codes used by the car’s real-world manufacturer. They can add an authentic touch to your vehicle, especially if you’re aiming for a factory-fresh look or a historically accurate racing livery. Sometimes, a specific shade offered by the manufacturer is just what you need, rather than trying to perfectly recreate it with custom sliders. This attention to detail is something maxmotorsmissouri.com customers appreciate in real-world automotive discussions, emphasizing the importance of genuine quality.
Tips for an Eye-Catching Look
- Color Psychology: Different colors evoke different feelings. Reds signify speed and passion, blues calmness and reliability, yellows optimism. Consider what emotion you want your car to convey.
- Matching with Rims/Upgrades: A cohesive design extends beyond just the body color. Ensure your chosen wheel color, brake caliper color, and even performance upgrade parts (if visible, like roll cages) complement the primary paint job.
- Community Designs for Inspiration: If you’re stuck, browse popular community designs. You might find a livery that perfectly fits your car, or at least get ideas for color combinations and vinyl placements.
- Subtlety vs. Boldness: Decide if you want a subtle, elegant change or a loud, attention-grabbing statement. Both can be effective depending on your style.
- Lighting Conditions: Remember that colors look different under various lighting conditions in the game (day, night, rain, different environments). Test your design in different scenarios.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While generally smooth, you might encounter minor hiccups when trying to change colour of car in Forza Horizon 4:
- Not Enough Credits for Paint Type: Some special paint types might have a small credit cost. Ensure you have enough in-game currency. Basic color changes are usually free.
- Design Not Saving: Always confirm the save prompt. If the game crashes, you might lose unsaved work. Save frequently.
- Finding Specific Colors: The custom color sliders can be finicky for exact shades. Take your time adjusting hue, saturation, and brightness. Sometimes, picking a close base color from the default palette and then refining it can be easier.
Why Customization Matters in Forza Horizon 4
Customizing your car, right down to the specific colour of car in Forza Horizon 4, is more than just an aesthetic choice; it’s an integral part of the Forza Horizon experience. It enhances player immersion, allowing you to connect more deeply with your vehicles. Each car becomes a personal extension of your in-game persona, a reflection of your unique style in a world where individuality is celebrated. Furthermore, a well-designed livery or a perfectly chosen paint job can make your car stand out in races, photo mode, and during online cruises, fostering a sense of pride and ownership. This personalization is what transforms a generic vehicle into your ultimate racing machine.
In conclusion, knowing how to change colour of car in Forza Horizon 4 opens up a world of creative possibilities. Whether you opt for a simple factory respray or delve into the intricate layers of the vinyl editor, personalizing your ride is a rewarding experience that enriches your time within the Horizon festival. Don’t be afraid to experiment; the best designs often come from bold choices and creative iteration.
Last Updated on October 10, 2025 by Cristian Steven
