In iRacing Arcade, car appearance depends on preset liveries, sponsor schemes, and multi-tone color adjustments selected in the Garage. Players cannot alter the physical 3D chassis or import external decal files, but you can change primary body coats, accent patterns, wheel colors, and race numbers across all owned vehicles.
How Liveries and Car Paint Customization Work
Car visual adjustments take place inside the Garage menu under the Edit Car screen. The game uses a palette system that lets you recolor designated zones on each chassis without altering the vehicle body shape.
Depending on the car model, paint templates feature up to five distinct color channels that dictate the main body, secondary striping, accent decals, and wheels. On PC, color sliders can be dragged using a mouse or cycled via a gamepad.
The visual toolset currently has specific limitations:
- There is no freeform decal editor, vinyl layer placement, or external image import tool.
- The game does not support saving custom color hex codes or palettes to a quick-select slot, requiring players to set up colors manually on each car.
- The underlying vehicle styling remains fixed, meaning aerodynamic kits, spoilers, and body panels cannot be swapped.
Preset Schemes and In-Game Sponsors
Every vehicle category in iRacing Arcade includes a selection of predefined paint templates that determine how stripes, accents, and sponsor badges map onto the bodywork. Players choose a base livery pattern and then modify individual color zones within that pattern.
| Livery Type / Sponsor | Category Availability | Customization Features |
|---|---|---|
| Default Base Livery | All owned cars | Multi-tone primary and secondary body paint with adjustable wheel colors |
| iRacing Official Scheme | Standard categories (Fiat 500, Formula, etc.) | Official iRacing brand decals with editable base accents |
| Genuine Chocolate Milk | Touring Car, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, LMP2 | Distinct sponsor branding with customizable color channels |
| Blank Street Coffee and Matcha | Fiat 500 Challenge | Themed series sponsor livery featured across introductory events |
| In-Game Brand Liveries | Multiple vehicle classes | Decal packages including Cherry Peak, Devil, Kicks, Ice, and Super |
| Caterham Academy Set | Caterham (Patch 1.0.a2) | 10 unique dedicated liveries added specifically for the Caterham class |
Livery Costs, Numbers, and Wheel Adjustments
Basic color remapping on standard unlocked liveries uses the built-in color picker at no additional charge. However, specific premium liveries require in-game credits earned through career mode race finishes. Purchasing special designs, such as premium liveries for the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, costs $1,000 in career prize money.
Car customization also covers several peripheral components:
- Race Numbers: Players can assign vehicle numbers directly to the car exterior, such as number 0 or custom team racing digits.
- Wheel Rims: Wheel surfaces can be painted independently with colors like white, black, red, yellow, orange, or blue.
- Driver Gear Coordination: Under the Edit Driver menu, suits, helmets, and visors can be customized using matching color palettes to coordinate with your team livery. Linking an active iRacing account grants an exclusive branded iRacing fire suit.
Rental Cars and Test Liveries
Entering a career series without purchasing the required car forces the game to assign a rental vehicle. Rental cars automatically use a plain, locked "test livery" that cannot be edited or recolored in the Garage.
Operating a rental car imposes two distinct penalties:
- Prize money from races is reduced by 25%.
- Campus boost items generated by team facilities cannot be equipped for the race week.
Buying the car permanently removes the test livery restriction, allowing you to equip custom liveries and apply boost cards freely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you import custom liveries or SVG logos into iRacing Arcade?
No. The game does not support external file imports, third-party textures, or community livery sharing. All designs must be built using the preset livery layouts and built-in color palettes provided in the Garage.
How do you unlock the Caterham liveries?
Patch 1.0.a2 introduced the Caterham class alongside 10 unique preset liveries. These liveries become available under the Edit Car menu once you access the Caterham in the career calendar or free play.
Why is a car stuck with an uneditable test livery?
A vehicle displays the default test livery when it is being driven as a rental. You must purchase the car outright using career mode currency to unlock color editing, preset livery choices, and campus boost slots.
