If you give your car in to a paintwork shop to get some scrapes etc sorted...?

Question

do they use the EXACT paint for your car or can they somehow colour match? What if the paint on your car is a metalic type?
Is it usually quite noticeable if they just colour match?

** Experienced/knowledgable answers please! **

Answer 1

Depends on the age of the car and the quality of the paintshop!!

If it is new/ish then they can go back to the manufacture for the paint. If it is old the paint will naturally be a slightly different shade from when it was new (reds are the worst for fading) so they will mix it themselves. If the paintshop is any good it is done by computer. The final tweak is done in the ovens as they can age it to give the best match. I had a metalic green Volvos hood sprayed (the car was 8 years old) the match was spot on (costing £300) but at the end of the day you get what you pay for!!! Can you put it through on your insurance??

Answer 2

Your car has a colour code for its paint, so the exact colour it left the factory with is used.

However as your paint will have faded over the years, the paintshop will paint up the panels either side of the one they are doing and blend it in to the existing paint colour. On smaller cars this often means doing an entire side.

Answer 3

If the paint on your car is standard then the will make paint up to the relevant paint code which will be on the car somewhere (it's almost like a recipe of different weights of different colours).
The real skill of the painter comes in when he/she blends the new paint into the old paint to (hopefully) create a seamless finish.

Answer 4

They can't use the exact paint so they colour match. You car will have a colour code on the VIN plate, usually under the bonnet. They will then blend the new paint to match the paint on your car.

Answer 5

there is plate under your bonnet that has the code for the original color used on your car.

you tell the sales rep at your auto supplies store that code and they mix the paint for you.