Color matching techniques

[homemade]

Hi guys,
I'm sure this has been brought up hundreds of times, but I would like some clarification.

When painting an older car (early 90's) that has original paint, how do you go about matching the paint to the original? I have my paint code and purchased a can of paint according to the code, and as a test, I sprayed (using an aerosol can) to compare the 2 colors and they did not match at all. Obviously 15 yrs of sun exposure changed the color of the original paint. My questions is, how does one go about altering the newly purchased paint to look lighter? I have access to a spray gun as well. Local paint shops offer a matching service via electronic gun or hand match, and in both cases, none worked.

Thanks

[Phil V]

What is the year, make and model or the car as well as the color of the paint you want to match ? Please include if its a metallic or non metallic based paint.

[homemade]

It's a 3 series BMW, 1990, I believe non-metallic, daulphin gray.

[Len]

I would use a base coat/clear coat system and blend then clear the adjacent panel. The color will match but the new paint may have more gloss than the original unless you polish the rest of the car.

[Henry]

It's a 3 series BMW, 1990, I believe non-metallic, daulphin gray.
Are you spraying this with a buzz bomb and where did you get the paint you tried?
Polish you gas filler door and remove it. Bring it to a paint jobber and ask them to camera the color; forget the code. Often times they are too lazy to camera when they should and the code makes for a quicker mix. Also, not sure how much you need to paint but some local bodyshops mix their own paint. If you know of one or someone in such a shop with their own paint mixing system just bring your piece and ask them to mix some for you. Regardless who you end up getting the paint from, if it matches MAKE SURE YOU KEEP THE FORMULA THEY USED. Henry

[homemade]

Well, I had brought the gas door to a local paint shop and when they matched it, it was still not close enough. It was way darker than the original paint. I applied this paint with a can.

I also bought a can using my original paint code, and it didn't come close either. Again, too dark. What do you suggest in this case?

Also, will painting a small spot with a can or professional gum make much of a difference?

[stealth1]

Homemade,

The first thing I do when doing an older car like that, I would do any touchup needed on the other panels not being painted then buff it out and polish, then wash it down real good then do a test panel to see if it matches.

What kind of paint are you using. I have found that PPG DBC matches really well when doing a panel, but to get metallic to match you really need to blend the color and and clear the next panel. New paint will usually never be dead on when doing just panel painting, but with some creative buffing and polishing you can get it close enough for an older car.........best of luck

[fixdent]

Blending is your only way. What panels are you painting..??

If you are doing side panels, you can paint down the complete side staying away from the hood and trunk lid, then clear coat all the panels...except for being more shiney, they should match alright.

You may also have to get the jobber to tint it a bit lighter for you.

--
Gordon

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