Matching Paint?

[Mike]

Hi all,

I recently had my front headlight buckets and valance painted by a local shop. The paint on my car is about 3-4 years old and was a pretty standard PPG color. The shop found the color and purchased a can of the same stuff. However, when they painted the headlight buckets, the new paint is slightly off and it stands out. I believe the color on my car has turned a bit darker over the years, so, the standard PPG color code is no longer applicable.

My question is... Is this a pretty common problem? I'm sure it would be tough to find an exact match, but, what is normally done to make these colors match without an obvious line? The shop mentioned they were going to paint my fenders and 'blend' the colors together so there isn't an obvious line. But, they want some additional money to perform the blend.

Do you think I should pay for the blending job? Or, is this a normal situation and it's justified ?

FYI, the work performed by this shop is reputable and trustworthy. I just need to know where I should negotiate or if this is a common painting issue.

[Zs-ondabrain]

Being as how my is red, there are way too many shades of red to perfectly match it. I found a color that is all but Dead on still off a smidge.

My yellow Z was only painted 6 or 7 years ago and is a PPG corvette yellow. I found out after removing the side mirrors that the exposed paint, not under the mirror, was severly darker than that under the mirror.

It was explained to me that UV darkening was a factor no matter what I did to protect it. Especially being such a bright color to start with and not having enough clearcoat on as a sheild.

that's the best I can do for ya.

[LEB]

Mike,

I just had the same problem with my SER that got damaged in an accident. I asked the dealer for a recommendation and they sent me where they have their work done. I did mention to the owner of the shop that his work had to pass rather tough scrutiny. He said it would be perfect.

His work was great except for color match. I pointed it out to him and they repainted. Color match is now perfect.

I believe that shops that work on valuable cars should be able to match color or tell you up front that the color might not match so you can go someplace else. That's the service they're in business to provide. The paint provider will do an eye-match if necessary.

I don't know the circumstances but it seems reasonable to expect a color match.

Larry

[EScanlon]

To answer your question Mike, if you took your complete car to the shop and said, here are the sugar scoops that go in the front, please paint them to match....then the painter should have MATCHED the paint regardless of having the original PPG paint code.

The PPG paint code would have been an excellent place to begin matching from, but any experienced painter would have known that after 1 year....there would DEFINITELY be differences. Although extreme, I've heard of shops that insisted on matching the paint rather than blindly mixing by paint code...even after only a few months. All depending on weather, and whether the car has been exposed to the elements, or simply been in storage and then depending on the lighting there (fluorescent and incandescent lights have different UV emission factors).

On the other hand, if you handed the shop your sugar scoops, told them to paint them using PPG Paint code #123 .... the matching was not part of the job.

Without the car there to match the paint, then you really can't hold them liable for the paint NOT matching.

Sorry, but that's just my 2¢

E

[geezer]

The PPG guy I went to used what I think he called a spectrometer and had me bring him a well rubbed out sample of the color needed.

[geezer]

I forgot to say, he nailed it. Couldn't tell the difference. That was a midnight blue though.

[BD240Z]

Rather than having them paint/blend the fenders, you might have them computer match the color from the side of a door or fender and have them repaint the headlight buckets and valance.

I've seen this done successfully in the past and my eyes couldn't identify what was painted and what wasn't.

Bruce

[Carl Beck]

Hi Mike:

The problem with "blending" paint on the hood or fenders is - after several years, the new paint will no longer look like the old paint, because they have now both aged over different time frames. In which case, you will see the blend lines themselves start to show up.. - and when they are on the hood or front fenders, they always look nasty...

I'd shoot for color matching.. and If I had too, I'd let the color be a tad off.. at least that way you'll have some body lines to hid any differences. If the color is way off - they need to try again simply to have an acceptable job by todays standards..

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Mike]

Good points... I'm wasn't too sure about the 'blending' process, so, I'll ask the guy to repaint using the matching process. Not sure exactly why he didn't do this in the first place, but, I'll check to see about getting the buckets to match correctly.

[bobc]

Hey Mike,

Recently went through kind of the same process getting some touch up paint for my red car. I took one of the inspection lids off and took it over to the paint shop. They put some type of device (spectrometer?) on the lid and took three shots in different places. They used whatever this device told them to mix the paint. It was dead on.

Wouldn't suggest the blending thing. It will just mess up what you've already got on the car. I'd just get the parts repainted.

[CANDYBLUE2+2]

Now for some professional advice. I've been in the automotive refinish line of work for nearly 30 years and I've seen "it all". Matching color is much more sofiisticated(spelling) these days then ever before. Some paint companies are better then others at it and you end up with there expertise or crap. It's also a fact that you can load one paint gun and let two guys spray two diffrent parts and end up with two shades of the very same color. Operator technique also plays a key role in color match for some of the more challenging colors, Candies, Pearls, Optocal Effect, etc.. When push comes to shove, blending is always the best route for everyone involved. Theres no way the naked eye can tell the diffrence. And if done correctly you'll have years of great looks. By then you'll either want or need a respray or color change, what have you. If the shop is reliable with a good track record, I say give them the cance to make it right.