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Trouble matching paint on new Mopar half doors

4K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  JRJKU 
#1 ·
Local paint shop is having trouble matching the paint to my 2015 silver billet. They have painted it three times with no luck. Last attempt looks good straight on but from the side there is a noticeable difference. They used a computer to try to match the paint, had they region rep on site to help mixed the paint and talked with there paint company. They said they will try one more time and thats its. This shop has the best reputation in the area.
Any suggestions.
 
#2 ·
Honestly it can be a couple factors, and nothing they can do if the problem is the following, need new paint line or an experienced painter.

1. Some large metallic paints used in domestic cars tend to be matched best with PPG brand (There are different sizes of metallics that are called for during mixing). Even though technically each brand has their mixing formula, there are variances.

2. With metallics, if you don't do a "dry coat" on the last pass, it can look darker than the surrounding paint once you clear coat. You essentially lower pressure on paint gun and bump up the atomization and do an "X" pattern spray. Once spraying diagonally one way and following up going the other way. This lets the metallics "stand up" not "lay flat" and reflect light, making it the proper shade.
 
#3 ·
I honestly have no paint experience other than just painting my billet silver half doors this weekend. This was a diy project using sealer, paint, and clear from a local paint shop. I did put down a gray sealer because I was covering red rock crystal colored doors. Maybe a sealer or primer is needed.
 
#4 ·
No matter what they tell you, matching metallic paint is a combination of skill and good luck. The metallic reflection changes based on the under coat, the pressure used and the conditions in which it is painted. They can get very, very close in some cases and in other not so close. Then of course you have fading which makes it tougher.

This is one reason I have stayed away from metallic colored vehicles, especially silver ones. There all the paint shop has to worry about is the fade, which they can handle if they are skilled. I am surprised they have painted them more than twice.

Do you plan to run the half doors all the time?
 
#6 ·
If your question was to me, I will only be running half doors in ems spring and summer. I dont need a perfect match. I just wanted my half doors to no longer be red rock crystal and look good, not perfect.
The painter who did my half doors had problems matching my Hydro Blue pearl coat. He's the painter the dealership uses. After three tries he got close enough for me. Just a little muddy but was close enough since I am running my half doors only part of the year. No one but me can really tell and that's only because I had gone down to see the doors a few times to give my opinion.
 
#7 ·
Sometimes the factory releases updates to paint codes, and if you are using the base paint code and not the updated paint code (the updated codes can vary by VIN), you will not get a good color match, regardless of the talents of the painter. If you have not already done so, call your local Jeep dealer, give them your VIN, and ask them for the complete paint code for your VIN, including any paint variation codes. If they do not understand, have them connect you to the dealership's body shop.

Hope this helps.

Joe
 
#8 · (Edited)
When I had my half doors painted, the body shop manager refused to try and match the pain based on test samples. He explained that the factory can literally change a color using many different formulas. You need the exact formula for your VIN.
 
#9 ·
My half doors are not a perfect match. Sometimes they look good and then the light chamges and I can see a difference.

I also saw a brand new half door hydro and the doors didn't match.
I don't know how true this is, but I was told half doors are not painted on the same assemlby line.
 
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