When white is not white
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2023
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When white is not white
Hi all.
At our Saturday cars and coffe a friend parked his 2016 Corvette Z51 (Arctic White) next to my 2017 Corvette Z51 (Arctic White).
Both are very low milage cars with bodywork that have never been touched.
The whites don't match!
The 2016 looks a little creamy (a darker white) while my 2017 is a very bright white..
He has a glass t-top and wanted to replace it wuth a white top. Now he's nervous about finding a match.
Did the Arctic White color from the factory change between 2016 and 2017?
Cheers
Greg
At our Saturday cars and coffe a friend parked his 2016 Corvette Z51 (Arctic White) next to my 2017 Corvette Z51 (Arctic White).
Both are very low milage cars with bodywork that have never been touched.
The whites don't match!
The 2016 looks a little creamy (a darker white) while my 2017 is a very bright white..
He has a glass t-top and wanted to replace it wuth a white top. Now he's nervous about finding a match.
Did the Arctic White color from the factory change between 2016 and 2017?
Cheers
Greg
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From: DFW Area TX
No, Artic White did not change paint codes. In fact, Artic White on the C8 is still G8G (WA9567). It's the same Artic White used by GM since 1989.
Your two cars have most likely experienced many differences in their lifetimes that could change the color somewhat. Sun exposure, cleaning and waxing (or ceramic coating or whatever you and him used), etc..
Your two cars have most likely experienced many differences in their lifetimes that could change the color somewhat. Sun exposure, cleaning and waxing (or ceramic coating or whatever you and him used), etc..
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2023
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Both our window stickers say Arctic White.
And the comment about films or coatings may be a possibility.
The OEM factory applied rock chip protecting film on my rocker panels (below the doors and in fromt of the rear wheel openings) has yellowed and I don't like it so I'm going to have it removed. It yellowed in spite of my car being always garaged.
I'll ask my friend about any films or coatings on his car.
Cheers
Greg
And the comment about films or coatings may be a possibility.
The OEM factory applied rock chip protecting film on my rocker panels (below the doors and in fromt of the rear wheel openings) has yellowed and I don't like it so I'm going to have it removed. It yellowed in spite of my car being always garaged.
I'll ask my friend about any films or coatings on his car.
Cheers
Greg
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What Zymurgy mentioned could be a factor - the same paint codes, even with different years should be a very close, if not exact match from the factory.
Drifting
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Different batches of paint at the factory will vary slightly. In fact the manufacturers actually distribute factory "variant" paint chips to repair shops so the correct formula can be made. Some colors only see 1 or 2 variations, while others can have 5, 8, or even more.
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A body shop owner once told me that white and yellow are the hardest colors to spray and match.
If both cars have not had paint work done though, then I don't know. I can only think that maybe one car has had expel applied all over and it had faded some.
If both cars have not had paint work done though, then I don't know. I can only think that maybe one car has had expel applied all over and it had faded some.
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Could be the "creamy" Arctic White Corvette had paint protection film applied that has yellowed over the years.
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No, Artic White did not change paint codes. In fact, Artic White on the C8 is still G8G (WA9567). It's the same Artic White used by GM since 1989.
Your two cars have most likely experienced many differences in their lifetimes that could change the color somewhat. Sun exposure, cleaning and waxing (or ceramic coating or whatever you and him used), etc..
Your two cars have most likely experienced many differences in their lifetimes that could change the color somewhat. Sun exposure, cleaning and waxing (or ceramic coating or whatever you and him used), etc..
ALL this. ^^^
2017 Arctic White:
Drifting
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I should also mention that most white paint formulas have blue, yellow, red, etc...
even if you had the exact same year, if it wasn't built in the same week, it will be slightly different.
Some whites even have black in them. That's why paint work is expensive. You are paying for labor and color matching time which could be rather extensive on certain colors(tri-coats).
even if you had the exact same year, if it wasn't built in the same week, it will be slightly different.
Some whites even have black in them. That's why paint work is expensive. You are paying for labor and color matching time which could be rather extensive on certain colors(tri-coats).
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From: Phila Suburbs 2023 C8 & 2013 650ix
I bought a quart of Arctic White years ago from an automotive paint store and watched them mix it. It started with pure white and added a small drop of deep blue. That's what makes it look like freshly fallen snow.
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Body shops hate painting white cars. It is one of the hardest colors to match and often results in repainting the whole side of a car for a minor repair. We used to always say, “if it ain’t right, paint it white.” for a reason, but that reason had nothing to do with trying to color match panels. All it takes is a few years of weather, sun, humidity, etc. exposure to require adjustments from the stated paint code when trying to match the paint.
