Matching the paint color on a car can be a very difficult task. Even if you know the exact shade of paint, there are a number of items that could alter the shade of the finished product. This makes it important to have a clear understanding of what you are doing when painting a car. This starts with knowledge about how to best match the paint color, and how to blend that color into the existing paint. Following a few simple color-matching procedures will provide great results in the finished product.
Obtain the Factory Paint Code
The most basic step of matching the paint color of a car is to obtain the original factory paint code. This is usually found on a sticker or label located on the inside edge of the driver's door. It may be on the door itself, but will probably be found on the section of the car body that the door closes into. This location keeps the sticker in place even if a door is replaced later.
The paint code should be clearly identified as a paint indicator. In many cases, the number starts with the letter "P" and is followed by a number of two or three digits. For example, you may see a number like "P-26." This number identifies the specific paint formula used by the manufacturer.
If you are unable to locate the paint code on your vehicle, contact the local dealership and ask for the factory code. This information is usually readily available at the car lot.
Consider the Age of the Car
Taking the age of the car into account is important for two reasons. The most obvious is that cars that have been exposed to sunlight for a period of years have a tendency to fade. Even if the fading is very light, it will stand out noticeably if part of the car is given a fresh coat of paint using the factory formula. Therefore, this fading must be taken into account.
The other reason that age is important is because of the paint process itself. Prior to 1985, cars manufactured in the United States were painted with a basic single-stage paint job. This method of painting included the resin, pigment and solvent all in a single layer of paint, which is the opposite of today's multi-stage painting techniques. If you are spot painting a car from this period, you will need to adjust your painting technique to match what was originally used on the car.
Compare Sample Strips
The paint code obtained from the car will direct you to the proper manufacturer's formula for mixing the paint color. This formula often includes variations that will produce subtle differences in shade. Mix a test paint of each and paint them onto a piece of scrap material so that the dried paint can be compared to what was originally on the car. Be sure to paint the test strip onto the same type of material (sheet metal vs. plastic) as the car, since the paint will dry differently on different materials.
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