Auto body repair & detailing/paint matching

Advertisement

Expert: Cameron Orsich - 9/7/2006


Question
I have a 2007 mitsubishi eclipse.Autobody shop says that there is a paint code somewhere on the car to insure the new paint will match perfectly.Where is this code?I can't find it.Are they just jerking me around? Would the dealer have access to special mitsubishi paint that other shops dont have or is this a lie? Thank you Margie Kilburn 615-646-4638  

Answer
There is a "paint code" for the car, I don't know where it is on your car, but its only a starting point, as there is extensive data stored for each make, model, mfg.. plant of origin, UV data for the region of the country you're located, etc..to mix the paint; and that's just for starters, as the shop may then need to adjust (lighten or darken you mix) in addition to utilizing different spraying techniques to fool anyone looking at it that it original.

When "matching paint" there's no hype...ita a real art...and if they screw it up...you're going to complain when you go down to pick your car up.

As for expertise...any shop can go through this process--don't feel compelled to take it back to its maker; as any competent shop can handle this...though it is involved.

Auto body repair & detailing

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Cameron Orsich

Expertise

NOTE: MY EXPERTISE IS AUTO BODY...PLEASE limit your questions to the subject of GENERAL AUTO BODY PANEL QUESTIONS...you know: OlD Fashioned, Do It Yourself, By Hand, Back Yard, Under Shop Lights at 3:00 AM AUTO BODY QUESTIONS. I can answer auto body questions for any make, model, or year regarding replacing valances, door skins, fenders, etc... I can also answer questions on how to grind, weld, fiberglass, fill, paste and spray top coat, feather, mask, prime, paint (enamel, lacquer, base-coat/clear-coat), touch-up, melt-in, wet sand, wool polish, sponge polish, finesse, and much, much, more...to much to list here. I love air tools, but if you don't have any...no problem...as I can answer all your questions on how to achieve superb results doing it yourself...the old fashioned way...by hand. If you want a shop answer, go to a shop and pay someone to do it for you. If you want to take pride in doing it yourself, just ask someone who's been there and done that--me, Big CO. I'm available to answer general Auto Body questions for those whom want to do it themselves. Please...no collision, basket case, or train wreck questions. If you have something special that you want to fix, paint, or restore yourself; but don't know how, you've come to the right place...ask me...Big CO, the neighborhood know it all with the shop lights on all night

Experience

Having put myself and my brother through college in the late 80's and early 90's buying and selling over 250 cars. I restored my first car, a '72 350 Chevelle Malibu 4 barrel, in 1978 at just 16 years old. From there, I never looked back...usually restoring classics or sport cars: 340 Cuda's, 396 SS Chevelle's, Novas, Dusters, late 60's Mustang Convertibles, GTO Judges, 455 Buick Grand Sports, about a dozen 280ZX's ('79-'83)--the most recent, in July of '06, I sold a '83 280ZX on cars.com to a gentleman that flew in from Colorado to my state of Ohio just to purchase it from me. As for experience: Have replaced valances, door skins, fenders. Have grounded, welded, fiberglassed, filled, pasted and sprayed top coat, feathered, masked, primed, painted (enamel, lacquer, base-coat/clear-coat), touched-up, melted-in, wet sanded, wool polished, sponge polished, finessed, and much, much, more...to much to list here.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.