Expert: Michael Kakuk - 4/10/2010

Question
Had back hatch of 2006 Ford Expedition xlt repainted. Although paint code for the white color was sourced, the hatch now appears to be best described as a warmer white than the cool white of the rest of the vehicle. The difference is subtle but clearly different. Can there have been more than one white for this make and model. Thx

Answer
GLEN....THERE ARE A BUNCH OF REASONS AND I WILL EXPLAIN A FEW FOR YOU.
YOUR VEHICLE HAS A PAINT CODE ON THE VIN STICKER AND THIS IS THE CODE THAT WAS MIXED BY THE REPAIR SHOP AND SPRAYED ON. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE NEW PAINT IS DARKER THAN THE REST OF THE PAINT ON THE VEHICLE.

EVEN THOUGH THE PAINT CODE IS XYZ YOU CAN TAKE 3 IDENTICAL EXPEDITIONS OUT IN THE SUN WITH THE SAME PAINT CODE AND FIND THAT ONE IS BRIGHTER OR DARKER THAN THE OTHERS.

THIS IS BECAUSE ALL PAINT CODE HAVE WHAT THEY CALL VARIANCES TO THE THE BASIC COLOR...SOME LIGHTER....SOME DARKER...SOME IN BETWEEN.

THE SHOP IS SUPPOSED TO DO A SPRAY OUT PRACTICE PANEL TO MAKE SURE THE CORRECT VARIANCE IS DONE.
UNFORTUNATELY THIS IS NOT ALWAYS FOLLOWED.

THE TECHNIQUE USED DURING APPLICATION WILL ALSO EFFECT COLOR. THE CLEAR COAT THAT IS APPLIED
CAN ALSO HAVE AN EFFECT.

IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE FINAL PRODUCT RETURN TO THE SHOP AND ASK TO HAVE IT CORRECTED.
YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO ASK FOR THE SPRAY OUT PANEL THAT WAS USED TO IDENTIFY THE CORRECT MATCH....
GUARANTEE YOU THAT YOU WILL WILL GET A BIG NO WE DON'T HAVE THAT FOR AN ANSWER.

GOOD LUCK

MIKE