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I do a lot of custom painting, and hi end cars like Lexus, MB, Ferrari, etc.
My best educated guess is one of two things:
Assuming your painter took your gas cap and let his jobber put it under the Prophet/Color Analyzer..he either isn't getting the correct number of coats for each color in the tri-coat, or he isn't using the same color sealer that matches the original GM color that was on the OEM panels. LEaving off 1 or 2 coats in a tri-color paint match can make a HUGE difference in the percieved color or ability to match.
If I remember correctly- the OEM raw panels are black, and are prepsol and lightly sanded down before hitting the paint booth. If the sealer isn't black..then theres your issue most likely.
You used to be able to call BG/The Corvette Center and they could tell you just about anything related to the car..number of coats of clear, color coat, etc.
Now..you probably will have to find someone who has repaired late model Vettes extensively to get the answer.
Also..spraying the tint coats- ask your painter what overlap he's using. A lot of painters will use the same 40-50% "overlap" that they spray base with..this usually is incorrect with tint coats and candys. Its usually recommended that a 25% overlap be used in those cases.
Let me throw in my $.02 on this. I am a detailer by trade and see a lot of paint. Chances are very high every panel on the car is a slightly different shade and could be incredibly difficult to match. 95% of the people in this world don't see it, but a trained eye can spot it very quickly.
My LMB was absolutely horrible, actually all LMB's are pathetic, no panels match. It had to do with how they were painting the panels. My neighbors Crystal Red is better, but I can still see a subtle mis-match in the right light.
I was in a fender bender and when I took it into the body shop, I told them to estimate for a total repaint as they won't get a blend match on the surrounding panels.
The painter pretty told me he could, and this body shop employs some serious artists when it come to blending.
About three weeks later I get a call from the body shop "Uhhh, we are going to need the car another week. We can't match the paint from one panel to the next and need to repaint it." I just said "no problem, make it happen."
Thanks to Safeway(one of their trucks hit me) I have an absolutely incredible, blow you away paint job.
Diamond, unfortunately I have no idea. I know he has tried multiple suppliers and different "formulas". I gave him my gas lid as a sample to color match. I mounted the panels last weekend. All of the tests were too light. Any suggestion you have I would be happy to pass on.
Thanks!
A paint store thats sells Dupont
should do the job,.,..
Yep, too far off to blend. Dropping it off tomorrow. Like I said, he's got an excellent reputation so I'll keep the faith for now. We'll see how it goes.
Yep, too far off to blend. Dropping it off tomorrow. Like I said, he's got an excellent reputation so I'll keep the faith for now. We'll see how it goes.
It's not just your guy that is the issue. I went through this same thing when I tried to get my Z style front bumper to match the rest of the cars JSB. I thought he was wrong for going just basecoat/clearcoat but that is exactly what code it says in the glove box. Then I called 3 other shops and the local GM dealer and all agreed he did it right but would need to blend or re-shoot to get a closer match. The funny thing is that there are painters that did it 3 stage that posted in my thread. I ended up leaving it as it is since it's hard to notice unless you really look at it.
My painter has been trying for weeks and weeks to match my paint but just can't. The big problem is that California only allows water based paint now. My panels are probably as close as he can get but looks too light and blending might not help. My paint is the Monterey red. Any ideas?
Call the body shop at purifoy Chevrolet in Ft. lupton Colo. They had a heck of a time matching my 06 Monerey Red but did figure it out. The match is perfect! I'm not sure what they did but I do know the solvent base (and yes some still used it in 06 and some limited 07) and the water base make a difference.
there are some paint experts on here like Mike, swiftrider08, and another fellow up in Mich.; pm/em them your thread. I'll find his handle I hope and put it up here.
It's not just your guy that is the issue. I went through this same thing when I tried to get my Z style front bumper to match the rest of the cars JSB. I thought he was wrong for going just basecoat/clearcoat but that is exactly what code it says in the glove box. Then I called 3 other shops and the local GM dealer and all agreed he did it right but would need to blend or re-shoot to get a closer match. The funny thing is that there are painters that did it 3 stage that posted in my thread. I ended up leaving it as it is since it's hard to notice unless you really look at it.
Let me throw in my $.02 on this. I am a detailer by trade and see a lot of paint. Chances are very high every panel on the car is a slightly different shade and could be incredibly difficult to match. 95% of the people in this world don't see it, but a trained eye can spot it very quickly.
My LMB was absolutely horrible, actually all LMB's are pathetic, no panels match. It had to do with how they were painting the panels. My neighbors Crystal Red is better, but I can still see a subtle mis-match in the right light.
That's just what my painter told me when I asked him to repaint my front bumper due to a large scuff ('08 CR Metallic). I asked if he could match the paint to the rest of the car. He walked around my car and started to laugh, and said sections of the car didn't match now. According to him, the factory may paint panels, hoods, roofs, etc. on different days. It's the same color but from different batches. A well-trained experienced painter will see the different shades on the car.
So I guess outside of the factory a painter gets as close a match as they can and that's it.
Still looking for recommended paint shops in SoCal. My painter is still trying to match but I want to be ready with an alternative. Any recommendations for the Riverside/Corona or even Orange County area?