Colour Match - V8V N400 sills
Discussion
I was contemplating getting N400 sills fitted to the V8V. I know, I know, leave it as original etc.. yes, I might do that yet! 
The problem seems to be getting a correct colour match.
I have already refused to accept Attempt #1 and #2. Various tests and Magic Camera etc still does not seem to be getting a perfect match.
Has anyone had similar problems with matching the sills to the existing car colour or is it just Grigio Titanio which is a problem?
Who supplies the paint to AM - is it HMG?
I would be interested to hear of any problems and any solutions other than re-spraying the side of the car.
The problem seems to be getting a correct colour match.
I have already refused to accept Attempt #1 and #2. Various tests and Magic Camera etc still does not seem to be getting a perfect match.
Has anyone had similar problems with matching the sills to the existing car colour or is it just Grigio Titanio which is a problem?
Who supplies the paint to AM - is it HMG?
I would be interested to hear of any problems and any solutions other than re-spraying the side of the car.
I put on some V12 side sills on my V8V and the paint shop had massive problems matching the paint (Mine is Oyster silver).
I believe they tried about 20 swatches involving AM, spectro-analysis, Glasurit (I believe they are are the paint manufacturer) and finally a paint mixing 'specialist' who managed to match it perfectly.
Bottom line is how many times will they try and match it perfectly before they give up and you have to go elsewhere...
Where are you based ? I'd recommend the paint shop I used if you are south west.
I believe they tried about 20 swatches involving AM, spectro-analysis, Glasurit (I believe they are are the paint manufacturer) and finally a paint mixing 'specialist' who managed to match it perfectly.
Bottom line is how many times will they try and match it perfectly before they give up and you have to go elsewhere...
Where are you based ? I'd recommend the paint shop I used if you are south west.
In 2013 my Titanium Silver V8 Roadster went into the AM approved bodyshop near Edinburgh.
To cut a very long story short the car ended up being repainted because they could not get an exact match (both doors were originally being painted)
Aston Martin themselves issue bodyshops with guidelines about various colours, obviously some paint colours are more difficult than others to match.
I have a copy somewhere which lists the various colours and the ones that are difficult to match, I will try and look it out.
I was of the understanding that it was DuPont paint, but that could have changed.
When I was in the AM specialist recently getting my old N400 sills replaced with the Carbon Fibre GT4 sills there was a set of Grigio painted sills in their premises, so it could well have been yours?
The AM approved bodyshop that I have used in the past few years have now been bought over by Direct Line, so only carry out work for Direct Line accident repairs. The manager of that bodyshop and I became friendly since I was in a lot over the years getting upgrades done and since he could not do any more work for me he recommended another company who are AM approved and also list Ferrari, Bentley etc.
It might be worthwhile giving them a call and seek their advice, please note that I have never used them and have no connection to them at all.
http://www.stewartrodenmotors.co.uk/bodywork/aston...
As an aside the old N400 sills I removed recently were sold to a guy with a Tungsten Grey car and the first time they were painted did not match his car exactly.
To cut a very long story short the car ended up being repainted because they could not get an exact match (both doors were originally being painted)
Aston Martin themselves issue bodyshops with guidelines about various colours, obviously some paint colours are more difficult than others to match.
I have a copy somewhere which lists the various colours and the ones that are difficult to match, I will try and look it out.
I was of the understanding that it was DuPont paint, but that could have changed.
When I was in the AM specialist recently getting my old N400 sills replaced with the Carbon Fibre GT4 sills there was a set of Grigio painted sills in their premises, so it could well have been yours?
The AM approved bodyshop that I have used in the past few years have now been bought over by Direct Line, so only carry out work for Direct Line accident repairs. The manager of that bodyshop and I became friendly since I was in a lot over the years getting upgrades done and since he could not do any more work for me he recommended another company who are AM approved and also list Ferrari, Bentley etc.
It might be worthwhile giving them a call and seek their advice, please note that I have never used them and have no connection to them at all.
http://www.stewartrodenmotors.co.uk/bodywork/aston...
As an aside the old N400 sills I removed recently were sold to a guy with a Tungsten Grey car and the first time they were painted did not match his car exactly.
" As an aside the old N400 sills I removed recently were sold to a guy with a Tungsten Grey car and the first time they were painted did not match his car exactly."
The above was me and they are on there 3rd attempt at the moment but i still think it will be worth it when correct as they make such a huge difference.
The above was me and they are on there 3rd attempt at the moment but i still think it will be worth it when correct as they make such a huge difference.
Manwhoneverwas said:
When I was in the AM specialist recently getting my old N400 sills replaced with the Carbon Fibre GT4 sills there was a set of Grigio painted sills in their premises, so it could well have been yours?
Indeed they probably are mine, just not the right shade!The Bodyshop I am using is Glasgow based, recommended by the AM Specialist. Fingers crossed it's all sorted before the Spring.
UPDATE:
Various attempts to get the N400 sills painted the correct colour have proved impossible.
I have now abandoned the whole idea and will keep the car looking original.
The only option was to re-spray both sides of the car to "blend in" the sills.
I love the existing colour and finish too much so that's a non-starter.
Pair of sills now for sale (currently in Glasgow), painted a kind of grigio titanio (perfect if you shut one eye and turn the lights off).
Various attempts to get the N400 sills painted the correct colour have proved impossible.
I have now abandoned the whole idea and will keep the car looking original.
The only option was to re-spray both sides of the car to "blend in" the sills.
I love the existing colour and finish too much so that's a non-starter.
Pair of sills now for sale (currently in Glasgow), painted a kind of grigio titanio (perfect if you shut one eye and turn the lights off).
Strange why it proved impossible, Callum.
As I mentioned earlier on your topic, my bonnet has been resprayed. I don't know whether there were difficulties doing the work, but it was fine when collected.
There are 2 coupes with N400 sills, and 5 coupes with the original sills. (V8 4.7)
Those are the known UK Grigios. I wonder whether any unknowns were bought new, and have never subsequenty appeared for sale.
Glad you are enjoying your car. You have posted some great photos.
Edited by Dewi 1 on Wednesday 17th January 20:36
How old is the car?
It might be one of those colours that is difficult to match when new, throw in a few years of UV rays and fading and it will be nigh on impossible if you have high standards and a keen eye.
Friend of mine had this problem years ago albeit with a red car. They tried writing it off in the end as the only way they could get near it would have been a full respray.
It might be one of those colours that is difficult to match when new, throw in a few years of UV rays and fading and it will be nigh on impossible if you have high standards and a keen eye.
Friend of mine had this problem years ago albeit with a red car. They tried writing it off in the end as the only way they could get near it would have been a full respray.
I'm just outside Aberdeen and the local paintshop is Kinghorn Bodyshop. I've used them on my Porsche and on my last Aston. They are a little more expensive than others locally but i've always had a fantastic service and a seemless match. I know quite a few others from the AMOC have also used them with similar feedback
https://www.kinghornbodyshop.co.uk/approvals/aston...
https://www.kinghornbodyshop.co.uk/approvals/aston...
Here you go; cheeky little advert if anyone is interested.
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/parts-and-...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/parts-and-...
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