TheSamba.com :: View topic - mismatched paint... am i being screwed over?

Sat Jun 21, 2008 2:19 pm

I got my fender repainted and told them to match the paint.
when I got it back, the fender was a different.
I confronted them about it and they said they got it as close as possible.
it is still pretty noticable. I cant take any pictures right now.
Shouldnt they be able to match the paint so youre not really able to tell?
Are they screwing me over to get out of repainting it?
Or am I expecting too much?

Sat Jun 21, 2008 2:33 pm

A lot depends on the age of the paint they are trying to match. That can make things quite difficult.

Sat Jun 21, 2008 2:35 pm

the paint is from 1990. But it has been garage kept and wasnt driven much

Sat Jun 21, 2008 2:44 pm

Even if the paint is in perfect condition there are factors in getting a good match. If they don't know the manufacturer of the existing paint or, if they do know the manufacturer but don't know what brand. Even with new paint there is a difference between PPG Omni and PPG Delstar Enamels (just for an example).

Sat Jun 21, 2008 3:43 pm

i just thought they should be able to do a decent match so its not noticable from a distance. i even gave them the car to match the fender.

Sat Jun 21, 2008 4:21 pm

In my opinion, they should be able to match it almost exactly.

I've seen people match original paint so that you could not tell until years later when they faded differently. Or you could tell because it was too clean, meaning no chips or scratches.

They need to know what they are doing though. I tried to get some color-matched paint one time and it was a joke - didn't match at all. The guy didn't like it when I refused to pay either. I never went there again.

Sat Jun 21, 2008 6:33 pm

I agree. You can get extremely close but it requires patience and experience. Also not cheap if youre paying for colormatching at hourly rates. You could spend a day just getting the color right.

Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:11 am

Yep, It all comes down to the allmighty dollar. Color can be matched extremely close but keep in mind that every eye sees color a bit differently. Also never fall for "we used a computer picture to match your car perfectly" 15 years in the business and NEVER seen that camera match paint perfectly. It does REAL good if it gets you "in the ball park."

Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:33 am

I agree with Everett that they should be able to match the paint color. Color matching can be a real art and depends on a good eye and experience both. Often it is not the autobody shop that matches the paint color but the paint supplier who may know much more about how each paint line will work. The final color can also be effected by the application and conditions but the bottom line is that a good shop should give you a very close match.

Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:38 pm

I have worked in an autobody shop for quite a number of years. As stated in previous post, most Automotive paint suppliers can get you in the ball park either with experience or the camera. Many shops order paint and no longer mix in house custom colors based on expense and overhead. In our shop we order paint in and never just paint a individual panel. We typically blend the paint into the adjacent panels so it less noticeable. Most shops do this on a regular basis to trick the eye. Although your vehicle has been inside some of the elements of sun, pollution, and time do effect the paint. Thats where a good painter and detailer work as a team to sand and polish the other panels as well. Be understandable about your concern and go back and address it without hostility with the owner. Ask him or her what either they or you can do to help the fender painted to be less identifiable. Maybe the can do a quick rub to take some of the oxidation off your old paint. Just be pleasant...and maybe offer some extra dollars within reason. I hope that you are able to resolve your concern without serious issue.

Mon Jun 23, 2008 7:41 pm

unless I missed it? what color?

If it's a normal run of the mill color.. red, blue, green, etc
WITHOUT and metallic in it, then yes they should of been able to match the paint.

Now if it is a metallic then you have a whole list of variables that come into play.

example...

you just got done painting your bug.. ( PS2 Dodge silver ... just an example)
COMPLETE... everything looks bitchin.. matches etc...

ooops your dented your fender, so you repair it, take it off the car and paint it.. guess what... 9 times out of 10 it's not going to match the original paint. Here's where the variables come in,
did you use the same air pressure,
did you thin it the same way and ratio, did you hold your gun at the same distance.... its just luck that you get it to match.
I fix bumpers on cars for a living, just because I got the paint code and mix it perfect doesn't mean that it's going to match the paint sprayed on the car....... very frustrating at times.. but I have little control over it.. mainly air pressure and spray distance.

Now I have worked in a body shop that mixes there own paint , heck I do it now out of my truck now. you have alot more play that you can do than going to a store and buy it.. if it doesn't match with the test spray you can add color etc....
you have any idea how many shades of black they're are.. :P

ok I'll stop rambling.... hope it helps..

Fri Jun 27, 2008 7:00 pm

I match colors all the time in my shop. It's not hard. any competent painter would spray a color match panel BEFORE they put any paint on the car.

Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:29 am

Getting a bit off topic, but wouldnt it solve all problems by going to a shop that you really trust and have them do all of the paint work?

So if they were the ones to do the paint on the body in the first place, wouldnt it be easier to match?