Expert paint advice needed
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Mendota Heights MN
Expert paint advice needed
I have a 99 pewter vert with a paint-match problem. I have had the rear bumper painted twice by the dealer attempting to match the paint on the rest of the car. I just got it back from the second attempt, at which a PPG rep was brought in to computer match the color. Unfortunately, the paint match is now worse than ever -- I am embarassed to drive it like this.
The body shop says they did several spray-outs to make sure they had the color right, but when it dried it still doesn't match, and are not willing to continue trying to match it. In their opinion the entire rear of the car (from the doors back) need to be painted.
My question: Is it possible to get a reasonable match by painting only the rear bumper, or do they need to blend into the surrounding panels -- something they seem reluctant to do. Also, assuming the paint takes differently on the urethane bumper, how can they match it by blending to the surrounding panels - it would seem it would still look different on the bumper.
The body shop says they did several spray-outs to make sure they had the color right, but when it dried it still doesn't match, and are not willing to continue trying to match it. In their opinion the entire rear of the car (from the doors back) need to be painted.
My question: Is it possible to get a reasonable match by painting only the rear bumper, or do they need to blend into the surrounding panels -- something they seem reluctant to do. Also, assuming the paint takes differently on the urethane bumper, how can they match it by blending to the surrounding panels - it would seem it would still look different on the bumper.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: Bentonville AR
I wish I could help, I can only offer my sympathy.
I am however interested in the answers you get, as I too have a Pewter Vette that needs minor paint work up front.
Sorry again for your troubles, hope it works out
I am however interested in the answers you get, as I too have a Pewter Vette that needs minor paint work up front.
Sorry again for your troubles, hope it works out
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 59
Likes: 2
From: Glendale N.Y.
An exact color match panel to panel is almost impossible, especially with metallic colors. Most bodyshops get the color as close as possible, and then blend other panels, In your case deck lid right quarter, and left quarter. Color will only be applied to area next to panel, then entire panel cleared. Front of quarter panel will still be original color (paint from door to quarter will match) Rear of quarter will have same paint as bumper (paint from quarter to bumper will match).
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,102
Likes: 2
From: Pinckney MI
St. Jude Donor '11
Blending into the quarters would be the only way to get it to match. Even though colors such as pewter are very hard to match, I would think a competent shop could get it pretty close without blending.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,102
Likes: 2
From: Pinckney MI
St. Jude Donor '11
Originally Posted by TWOBOLTS
An exact color match panel to panel is almost impossible, especially with metallic colors. Most bodyshops get the color as close as possible, and then blend other panels, In your case deck lid right quarter, and left quarter. Color will only be applied to area next to panel, then entire panel cleared. Front of quarter panel will still be original color (paint from door to quarter will match) Rear of quarter will have same paint as bumper (paint from quarter to bumper will match).
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
Likes: 9,801
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Don't know about Pewter but I had the front fascia replaced twice and repaired once on my 97. The car was Torch Red and I could never tell the colors didn't match. Especially on the repair. The right front was torn by the parking light and they were able to patch it. I know they painted at least half the fascia but I could not tell where they stopped. On the left side there were still some paint dings from the track they didn't touch so I know they didn't go that far.
Bill
Bill
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Warren MI
Originally Posted by Cart99
I have a 99 pewter vert with a paint-match problem. I have had the rear bumper painted twice by the dealer attempting to match the paint on the rest of the car. I just got it back from the second attempt, at which a PPG rep was brought in to computer match the color. Unfortunately, the paint match is now worse than ever -- I am embarassed to drive it like this.
The body shop says they did several spray-outs to make sure they had the color right, but when it dried it still doesn't match, and are not willing to continue trying to match it. In their opinion the entire rear of the car (from the doors back) need to be painted.
My question: Is it possible to get a reasonable match by painting only the rear bumper, or do they need to blend into the surrounding panels -- something they seem reluctant to do. Also, assuming the paint takes differently on the urethane bumper, how can they match it by blending to the surrounding panels - it would seem it would still look different on the bumper.
The body shop says they did several spray-outs to make sure they had the color right, but when it dried it still doesn't match, and are not willing to continue trying to match it. In their opinion the entire rear of the car (from the doors back) need to be painted.
My question: Is it possible to get a reasonable match by painting only the rear bumper, or do they need to blend into the surrounding panels -- something they seem reluctant to do. Also, assuming the paint takes differently on the urethane bumper, how can they match it by blending to the surrounding panels - it would seem it would still look different on the bumper.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 7
From: queens Newyork
go to a competent corvette body shop or a shop that specializes in high end cars, u should not have to spray half the car for a bumper to match..thats bs..the dealer usually uses a place thats close to the dealer an not always the best place, and yes metallic colors are hard to match, but not impossible
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas Nevada
Twobolts has it right, On the metallics it is never advisable to "panel paint" even with multiple spray outs and computer color matches. Everything from humidity to PSI at the tip of the gun can affect the atomization of the basecoat, therefore altering the cast and layout of the metallics. Make sure the clearcoat being used is actually clear, years ago (late 80's early 90's) my shop used ACME probase, the clear had a yellow tint that was accounted for in the basecoat. As long as the work is performed by a reputable, competent painter, blending into the quarters/decklid is not a bad thing. It will ensure that the color match is there from any angle. I hope this helps and good luck!
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 52
From: Colorado Springs CO
I had my Pewter princess' rear bumper replaced and painted by a small auto-body place in Texas in December. They matched it perfectly, and you can't tell. The key is, being able to "tint" the paint. You can color match all day long and it will be hit or miss, but you have to find a place that can "tint" the paint due to the different materials that are being painted. Obviously the rear fascia is a different material than the quarter panels, therefore the paint will dry differently on them. With the tinting, the paint folks can adjust for that drying. Not all places have it, you have to ask for it. Hope that helps.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 52
From: Colorado Springs CO
Originally Posted by TWOBOLTS
An exact color match panel to panel is almost impossible, especially with metallic colors. Most bodyshops get the color as close as possible, and then blend other panels, In your case deck lid right quarter, and left quarter. Color will only be applied to area next to panel, then entire panel cleared. Front of quarter panel will still be original color (paint from door to quarter will match) Rear of quarter will have same paint as bumper (paint from quarter to bumper will match).
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
Ha! Tell that to the mom and pop auto shop that did mine. Look at the picture above.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 34
From: St. Louis Missouri
Originally Posted by TWOBOLTS
An exact color match panel to panel is almost impossible, especially with metallic colors. Most bodyshops get the color as close as possible, and then blend other panels, In your case deck lid right quarter, and left quarter. Color will only be applied to area next to panel, then entire panel cleared. Front of quarter panel will still be original color (paint from door to quarter will match) Rear of quarter will have same paint as bumper (paint from quarter to bumper will match).
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
A slight variance in color between the bumper and the actual body of the car with metallic colors is normal even from the factory. This is because the bumpers are painted seperately and with flex additives. I have seen brand new cars that matched very closely and I have seen brand new cars that didn't match very closely. Unless it was a completely mismatched bumper on your car, I wouldn't want to blend into the surrounding areas.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 333
Likes: 1
From: Mendota Heights MN
Originally Posted by waupachino
A slight variance in color between the bumper and the actual body of the car with metallic colors is normal even from the factory. This is because the bumpers are painted seperately and with flex additives. I have seen brand new cars that matched very closely and I have seen brand new cars that didn't match very closely. Unless it was a completely mismatched bumper on your car, I wouldn't want to blend into the surrounding areas.I spoke to the body shop manager again today, and he agreed that the only way to match it will be to blend into the other adjacent panels. I have rescheduled another try, and he will have the PPG rep there again as well.
Hopefully I will be able to report better results next time -- if not, I will have to switch to another shop.
Thanks, Guys -- I appreciate all of your input!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 34
From: St. Louis Missouri
Originally Posted by Cart99
Yep, I understand the problem can exist from the factory -- but, this is much worse than that, although this is a large GM (and Corvette) dealership that does a lot of work.
I spoke to the body shop manager again today, and he agreed that the only way to match it will be to blend into the other adjacent panels. I have rescheduled another try, and he will have the PPG rep there again as well.
Hopefully I will be able to report better results next time -- if not, I will have to switch to another shop.
Thanks, Guys -- I appreciate all of your input!
I spoke to the body shop manager again today, and he agreed that the only way to match it will be to blend into the other adjacent panels. I have rescheduled another try, and he will have the PPG rep there again as well.
Hopefully I will be able to report better results next time -- if not, I will have to switch to another shop.
Thanks, Guys -- I appreciate all of your input!
Good luck with the repair. If it is that far off, hopefully they don't screw the paint match up on the adjacent panels and then you get stuck with even a bigger problem of your car looking like a fade job.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
A lens from a light fixture fell on my hood in my garage and left some big scratches. Knowing full well it would be difficult to match I took it in anyway. After three sprays the hood looked like total garbage The first spray looked very good but not enough color to cover the primed area. The second spray extended the blending area but the color was off. The third spray the whole hood was painted and looked like a sore d_ _ _. My brother sells paint for a living recomended a customer of his who has a small shop who does restorations. I took the car down to him and found out there is something like 21 variations of pewter according to Glaserit. He also pointed out that the original shop had used the wrong cut of metallic. He ended taking the hood off and removing all the old paint and also sent in one of the headlight covers to Glaserit for paint matching. Long story short, he worked with it until it was right, he even put in the orange peel. The car looks fantastic. Having spent some time at his shop I got to see the progress on restoration jobs he was doing, vettes, porsches, and a 69 442 vert. just beautifull work.
