Paint Matching
 

So I recently bought a ducktail and took it to the shop to get painted. My car was previously painted and he wasn't able to match the paint. So I gave up on him after 2 weeks. Any advice on matching paint and the difficulties of doing the job?

Try another shop. You were correct to 'give up' on that one. Any paint shop that can't match paint should take down their store sign!

Tom

Z,
Did you contact Mark Schultz in Utica? He does a lot of Porsches as well as maintaining Alan Rosenblooms 150+ fantastic car collection. I am sure he can color match the tail for you. He's only about 1-1/2 hour drive from your location.

Thanks Tom. I'm at the point of doing it myself. It's not a huge part to spray and the decklid is a mashaw and should take minimal modification.
Any recommendations on paint?

I have not yet Bob, I'm not sure I can afford Mark :)

Z asks: Whoa, I just exceeded my level of incompetence above. No ideas on paint brands.

Tom

First off, what color?
Second, your painter should be able to tell you what kind of paint he used. And if you go to a good paint supply store, they can scan the paint and figure the formula for a match.

Let me push back on this just for discussion.

I use two paint jobbers. Dupont and BASF. The DuPont store has a scanner. The BASF store does not. When I am really nervous about a match I go to the BASF location.

They have several chips per color code. I bring in a part of the car. They work it hard to match using these chips. Mind you, they walk the stuff outside to compare and ALWAYS get it very close.

Here's the rub. The old guy at the DuPont store with the scanner matches better than the younger guy. Knowing this, I said to the younger guy "I really need this to match" and he states "Oh. I'll turn all the mixers on'. (just hang me)

It boils down to the people doing the match, hence, good supply store as per your recommendation.

Thanks Bob, that's great advice. I'll head to the paint shop and I'll let you know how that goes!!

When I had my duck tail painted I brought the turbo tail that was on it in to the shop and told them I had no idea what paint (non Porsche) the PO had used. They matched it perfectly.
Find another shop.

You are correct Bob.. it varies per experience.


Again, I still ask what color are we talking about? This also plays a part in the degree of difficulty to match.

Onboost. Ruby Red Metallic(Rubinrot metallic). THe biggest issue that was pointed out is that the car was resprayed at some point and 810 paint code has more red in it compared to what's currently on the car.

I had a feeling that you were going to say it was a metallic color. They are the hardest in most cases, especially after a re-spray due to so many variables. A scan will be the best bet.. and actually a competent paint shop that does high-end work should be able to scan, mix, and shoot several paint cards to get a match.
The paint store will only scan and mix.

Z,
When I bought paint from my PPG jobber, he gave me a small amount he mixed in a pint can to try for color match. Jobbers have white cards they provided to spray sample paint on. I had enough paint to do 4-5 samples. Some had 2 coats of base color, some 3. Sprayed clear over the base and match was perfect. Are you using single stage paint or two stage? If metallic color, usually base/clear. Your jobber is your friend Z. Paint is not cheap, especially red colors.

even if a scope (electronic eyeball) is used it can be tough to match a metallic paint.
i won't bore you w all the whys.
i'm guessing you do not know who painted the car previously. that would help a lot.

Opps, just saw your post regarding color. Red is a fader, so depending on how long ago car was painted, it could have faded somewhat. Good paint shop will take that into account and mix paint accordingly to match older painted car. Metallic colors are tough to match in any case.

+1

Spend a few hundred more. Put it to bed.

This is why i hate metallics

it was resprayed by the previous owner 5 years ago. I spoke with him earlier and he was under the impression that he sprayed it to what the stock color

Unfortunately, that is a moot point. He probably did paint it to the color code.

You may not have squat as far as fading, if it's a garage queen. You still need a pro to tie it down.

The solid colors, reds, blacks, browns, whites are an easy match. Metallics are harder.

Also, paint is an issue. With DuPont Chroma-base they weigh the amount of dry sprinkly stuff that makes up the metallic component. With DuPont Nason, it is more or less a squirt bottle slurry that is added in ( still by weight - but you know it's not the same given price).

You don't need much paint. Trying a good a jobber for a DIY is not a crime.

Just don't bank on a home run, but with the right dude, who knows?

Hi,
Spot on!...It should/must be blended to the hood even when the colour match is close. It's very hard to find a natural good tinter but a good painter with an electric colour scanner may get it spot on or very close so as to be blended in.