Paint matching

Hey fellas, I wanted to make a thread about paint matching because there has been some concern lately about parts being painted and the paint matching exactly. I'm a pretty straight shooter, so I want to be as upfront and honest with you guys as possible. This way you can make the most informed decision about what to do.

First, check out this article for some good information.

https://www.autobodysupply.net/Articles.asp?ID=140

Here's another one with even more info:

http://www.automotivequalitysolutio...snt-seem-to-match-the-original-factory-color/

Some things to highlight:

Paint Variance

"Auto paint colors are made up of a combination of pigment colors and metallic sizes including pearls. The first challenge is the factory standard. Today, the average paint code has between three to seven alternates that are worth formulating. There is actually more but the auto paint manufacturers have narrowed them to down to keep the databases simple to use."

"Most car manufacturers have three major paint suppliers. The manufacturer decides on a standard color for production and submits a painted sample to their suppliers. The paint manufacturer then produces a formula for the “standard sample” and is allowed a tolerance of plus or minus 5% when they deliver the paint.

This is the first problem because the plant in the east coast may be getting a 5% shade greener on a blue metallic standard and the plant in the west coast may be getting a 5% shade violet on the same blue metallic standard. When compared side by side, they look like a completely different color. This is the reason the paint manufacturers usually have the standard formula followed by two alternates. If the alternates are not available, the painter in the body shop usually mixes the standard formula and tints it accordingly."

I've spoken with our body shop about paint codes, and there are definitely some colors with more than 7 variances. There are some that have over 40.

The Sun

"The reasons above only mention the variables at the car manufacturers level. So what happens to a color after three years of sunshine? Many people think that colors do not change, but they do, and I will prove it. If you own a car that is at least three years old and has been out in the sun most of the time, remove a pinstripe and you will see the original color when you bought the car.

The sunlight has ultra-violet, and has absorbed some of the pigments. Blue metallic colors sometimes shift to a greener shade, and reds will turn pinkish or more orange. The auto body shop has to deal with matching an oxidized color in addition to new OEM colors. The new paint to be applied will look brighter and cleaner but the rest of the car looks dead even if you polish it."

Another thing to take into consideration is the fact that we can not blend the paint to match what you have because we do not have the truck here. Not being able to blend paint means that we, nor anyone else for that matter, including Toyota, will be able to 100% match the paint that you have. Even blending is not matching what you have, it's simply creating a larger area so that you don't notice that the fender you just had painted is a different color than the door it's sitting next to.

Our body shop uses factory Toyota specifications and PPG paints (the best) to paint everything that we do. My guys do a very good job with paint matching, which is difficult to do because of not having the vehicle. There are PLENTY of people here who can attest to that, but I just want to make everyone aware of what could arise and why.

Let me know what you think.

 

@RowdyRon... keep parking outside Ron.

 

Except white. White reflects the sunlight so color stays the same forever.

 

Actually, I had a Camaro that was white. I put a car bra on it and left it there for 2-3 years. After that time the front of the car where the bra was the car was almost a pink color. After that I had to leave the bra on all the time forever.

 

Thanks for the info @Roman I hope people aren't complaining about the paint on these products that you are selling. They should know how fortunate they are to even be able to buy them color matched to the truck they have.

If it wasn't for you we would all be buying these parts and having to go to a local paint shop to get it done and I know in my area that wouldn't be any fun and I would be paying out the ass.

So I do appreciate you offering this to us and once I buy my bumper ends you cant stop offering the paint service

 

Thanks @Roman. My truck is only a year old and has been garage kept since day one, but the color matched TRD Pro Grille, Bulge and Bumper Ends I bought from you earlier this month were a perfect match to the paint on my truck. I tried to find variations in the sun and shade and couldn't. Your paint guy did a FANTASTIC job on my items. Thanks for providing this service to the forum!

 

Thanks for posting this @Roman, and thank you for all you do! Great customer service is what it's all about!