Matching Paint Colour
Discussion
Anyone got any suggestions for matching up paint colours? Basically, the Spitty was repainted in a non-original colour. I was told at one point that it is now a Ford colour. However, I have been to two motor factor places now to get some made up for touch ups, but neither seem to be able to match it. They scanned the colour, and sent it off to the main office who couldn't identify a paint code. Their opinion is that it's just a colour that was essentially thrown together. So, I now have prep'd areas with no paint! Any suggestions? Preferably not complete re-paint suggestions.
If they've scanned it, they should be able to produce a reasonable match from that.
My local paint factor has books that have literally thousands of colours referenced per colour. So (for example) you look through all the greens to find a match.
But remember, (presuming you're going to use arsesol cans), even if you knew the colour code, and there was a matching can (say in Halfords), or the paint factor mixed it for you, it's unlikely to be a good match. Especially on a very old car.
The best way would be to find a body shop (perhaps one that specialises in classic cars), that has its own mixing scheme. Then get them to match it by eye (if anyone there has the skill to do this).
Again, even then, it may not appear to match very well when sprayed, because it is fresh, and professionals blend into the next panel "losing" the new paint across, say, a door. It is very rare to find a panel to panel match new paint / old paint. Blending can disguise paint that is not a particularly good match because the eye cannot see "the join".
My local paint factor has books that have literally thousands of colours referenced per colour. So (for example) you look through all the greens to find a match.
But remember, (presuming you're going to use arsesol cans), even if you knew the colour code, and there was a matching can (say in Halfords), or the paint factor mixed it for you, it's unlikely to be a good match. Especially on a very old car.
The best way would be to find a body shop (perhaps one that specialises in classic cars), that has its own mixing scheme. Then get them to match it by eye (if anyone there has the skill to do this).
Again, even then, it may not appear to match very well when sprayed, because it is fresh, and professionals blend into the next panel "losing" the new paint across, say, a door. It is very rare to find a panel to panel match new paint / old paint. Blending can disguise paint that is not a particularly good match because the eye cannot see "the join".
Thanks. I took a door (smallest thing as filler cap is chrome).
Spoke to them today and said they can't match it. I asked what they could suggest and they basically said nothing. Maybe I should press them a bit more to see if they could make some up from guess work...but I got the impression they wouldn't be keen.
It's new paint (resprayed about 4 years ago), and I'm not too bothered it it's not a PERFECT match. It's not a concourse car, but I don't want it to look stupid. I'll pop in and see them tomorrow, see what they can do.
Spoke to them today and said they can't match it. I asked what they could suggest and they basically said nothing. Maybe I should press them a bit more to see if they could make some up from guess work...but I got the impression they wouldn't be keen.
It's new paint (resprayed about 4 years ago), and I'm not too bothered it it's not a PERFECT match. It's not a concourse car, but I don't want it to look stupid. I'll pop in and see them tomorrow, see what they can do.
I had the very problem of not knowing the paint code on a kit car I used to own & needed some paint repairs.
I was told it was a ford colour but none of the colour chips matched by a mile & it was decided that someone must of added their own touch to what ever colour it originally was meant to be.
Went to a local motor factors who offered colour scanning and they got it close but not close enough.
After speaking to a few local bodyshops I was told to visit another motor factor who scanned the colour and came up with a superb match.
I guess its all down to the skill of the operator and if they can be bothered to take the extra time.
I was told it was a ford colour but none of the colour chips matched by a mile & it was decided that someone must of added their own touch to what ever colour it originally was meant to be.
Went to a local motor factors who offered colour scanning and they got it close but not close enough.
After speaking to a few local bodyshops I was told to visit another motor factor who scanned the colour and came up with a superb match.
I guess its all down to the skill of the operator and if they can be bothered to take the extra time.
laters said:
I had the very problem of not knowing the paint code on a kit car I used to own & needed some paint repairs.
I was told it was a ford colour but none of the colour chips matched by a mile & it was decided that someone must of added their own touch to what ever colour it originally was meant to be.
Went to a local motor factors who offered colour scanning and they got it close but not close enough.
After speaking to a few local bodyshops I was told to visit another motor factor who scanned the colour and came up with a superb match.
I guess its all down to the skill of the operator and if they can be bothered to take the extra time.
Thanks. Seems like exactly the problem I have. Also seems that Ford colours are a PITA! I was told it was a ford colour but none of the colour chips matched by a mile & it was decided that someone must of added their own touch to what ever colour it originally was meant to be.
Went to a local motor factors who offered colour scanning and they got it close but not close enough.
After speaking to a few local bodyshops I was told to visit another motor factor who scanned the colour and came up with a superb match.
I guess its all down to the skill of the operator and if they can be bothered to take the extra time.
I don't think the motor factor I went to were interested in taking the time, even though I was the only customer in there for the half hour I was there.
Oh well. I'll see if I can find another one who want my money!
Any decent bodywork place should be able to match paint - scanners are very good and a skilled painter can adjust colour too. I kept the details and a little sample panel from a year or two back and got the painters to mix some to try to spray by myself - a great result as they didn't charge either! So hurray for Gray and Adams of Fraserburgh!
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