What is considered acceptable paint match?
Discussion
Hi, I've recently bought a new MG ZS and stupidly have already had an 'incident'! I've scraped the side of my car. There's a dent in front passenger door and some scratches. It does need bit of a re-spray and this is where my problems have started. Despite having the paint code, it is not showing up any formulation to mix the paint. I've taken the car to several bodyshop garages, who cannot get a match. MG have been worse than useless in helping and apparently this is a known problem with MG cars (new at least) that the paint formulations are not released for a long time. Anyway, last place I took it to was an MG approved bodyshop place, as I figured surely they can help. They said they can do the work, it will require more blending than previously thought (so practically re-spraying the entire side of the car!) because they can only get a 75% match on the paint. I've booked it in, but am now having second thoughts. 75% sounds quite low and I'm worried one side will end up being a noticeably different colour to the rest of the car. I know nothing about car spraying though, so maybe they can blend it well enough that it doesn't notice?
If I went ahead and had the work done and it is a complete mis-match, where would I stand? I want to get this sorted (this has been going on a month now with no one being able to help) but I don't want to end up making the problem worse!
If I went ahead and had the work done and it is a complete mis-match, where would I stand? I want to get this sorted (this has been going on a month now with no one being able to help) but I don't want to end up making the problem worse!
Fastpedeller said:
I'd be going as high up in the MG management as I could to resolve this - It shouldn't be an issue, and any responsible manufacturer should have a solution.
I'm at the point where I'm considering putting it in the hands of my finance company and telling them to sort it, as I'm not going to want to continue paying for a car I can't repair! My last conversation with MG I was told 'you're the one who damaged your car, not us'!! I'm fully aware of who damaged it, but if it was done by a third party I would be in exactly the same boat! V8covin said:
A bodyshop with access to a spectromoter and a skilled paint mixing operative should be able to get a pretty good match by eye .
Most colours should be blended by the way so 1 panel can easily become 3
They did use a spectrometer, which is what gave the 75% match (car has been to 3 garages so far and 75% was the highest match that could be achieved). I don't mind a bit of blending, I don't even mind having practically the whole side of the car painted if it sorts the issue. I'm just concerned that with only a 75% match, even with a skilled operative there is going to be a noticeable difference. Most colours should be blended by the way so 1 panel can easily become 3
mrsb1977 said:
They did use a spectrometer, which is what gave the 75% match (car has been to 3 garages so far and 75% was the highest match that could be achieved). I don't mind a bit of blending, I don't even mind having practically the whole side of the car painted if it sorts the issue. I'm just concerned that with only a 75% match, even with a skilled operative there is going to be a noticeable difference.
A 75% match will be miles off,it needs tinting by eye,if they can't do that go elsewhere.When I say miles off I'm probably exaggerating a bit but it sounds like they'll just mix the paint to the formula and spray it and hope for the best.
I check every colour I have mixed, outside in natural light....I don't have my own scheme.....and if I'm not happy it goes back to my supplier for tinting.Fortunately they have high standards anyway and many of my mixes come already tinted above and beyond the formula the spectrometer comes up with
Edited by V8covin on Friday 28th May 11:27
V8covin said:
mrsb1977 said:
They did use a spectrometer, which is what gave the 75% match (car has been to 3 garages so far and 75% was the highest match that could be achieved). I don't mind a bit of blending, I don't even mind having practically the whole side of the car painted if it sorts the issue. I'm just concerned that with only a 75% match, even with a skilled operative there is going to be a noticeable difference.
A 75% match will be miles off,it needs tinting by eye,if they can't do that go elsewhere.When I say miles off I'm probably exaggerating a bit but it sounds like they'll just mix the paint to the formula and spray it and hope for the best.
I check every colour I have mixed, outside in natural light....I don't have my own scheme.....and if I'm not happy it goes back to my supplier for tinting.Fortunately they have high standards anyway and many of my mixes come already tinted above and beyond the formula the spectrometer comes up with
Edited by V8covin on Friday 28th May 11:27
From experience the London underground map (in diary form) isn't one of them.Out of curiosity what is the paint code on this car?
As already said 75% is a long way out.
And a good paint specialist motor factor should be able to get it a damn sight closer than that by eye match which is often better than the spectrowhatnot.
Assuming it isn't something really outlandish.
I use Sayers at Northampton.
If Squib is still working (he may be retired as we're of an age) then I would have no hesitation in also recommending Supertune at Castle Donington.
As already said 75% is a long way out.
And a good paint specialist motor factor should be able to get it a damn sight closer than that by eye match which is often better than the spectrowhatnot.
Assuming it isn't something really outlandish.
I use Sayers at Northampton.
If Squib is still working (he may be retired as we're of an age) then I would have no hesitation in also recommending Supertune at Castle Donington.
Trevor555 said:
Are you claiming on your insurance?
If so I'd call them to say bodyshops are saying they cannot match the paint, and ask them what they think.
Also ask them if the jobs done, and you're not happy with the match, what happens then?
I'm not claiming on my insurance because it's really not a big job and will just push my premium up. If so I'd call them to say bodyshops are saying they cannot match the paint, and ask them what they think.
Also ask them if the jobs done, and you're not happy with the match, what happens then?
paintman said:
Out of curiosity what is the paint code on this car?
As already said 75% is a long way out.
And a good paint specialist motor factor should be able to get it a damn sight closer than that by eye match which is often better than the spectrowhatnot.
Assuming it isn't something really outlandish.
I use Sayers at Northampton.
If Squib is still working (he may be retired as we're of an age) then I would have no hesitation in also recommending Supertune at Castle Donington.
Paint code is JSO, colour is called Battersea Blue. Appreciate the recommendation, but I'm down south! As already said 75% is a long way out.
And a good paint specialist motor factor should be able to get it a damn sight closer than that by eye match which is often better than the spectrowhatnot.
Assuming it isn't something really outlandish.
I use Sayers at Northampton.
If Squib is still working (he may be retired as we're of an age) then I would have no hesitation in also recommending Supertune at Castle Donington.
mrsb1977 said:
Paint code is JSO, colour is called Battersea Blue. Appreciate the recommendation, but I'm down south!
Yeh there's no formula in Lechler,says to ring tech dept.It's because it's a 2021 colour.My advice is put up with the damage for a few months and see if the paint manufacturers bring out any formulas
Gassing Station | Bodywork & Detailing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff