Color Mismatches
I’m often asked why the colors we mix sometimes don’t match. This can be quite frustrating for you, the customer, and I wish there was a way to avoid it 100% of the time. Here is why this is not possible.
Starting with the color code, most vehicle manufacturers made a very confusing system to even find the color code in the first place. Rather than putting in an easy to find area, some are located under the spare tire, in obscure places in the hood, I think you get the picture.
When a vehicle is manufactured, a number of vehicles get painted with the same batch of paint. Once this batch is gone, the next batch is mixed. The next batch will be a slightly different color from the first batch and so on. This is why we ask for your VIN as the color variance can be determined from the VIN.
When we receive your order, we use a formula from DuPont or PPG. Usually this formula will match your vehicle and we have a satisfied customer. Occasionally though, the formula from DuPont or PPG is off and the customer will let us know, often wondering how we could even be in business after sending them such a poor match!
After checking the sample (sent in by the customer), we then try a PPG formula (if a Dupont formula was sent in the first place) or a DuPont formula (if a PPG formula was sent first). Usually this will do it and the color will match!
Why the difference? Why would DuPont (or PPG) get is wrong and PPG (or Dupont) get it right sometimes? They use different toners. On some vehicles, the PPG (or DuPont) will just match better. We keep hoping for standardization, but in 50 years of business, we are still waiting! (Our paint store has been in business since 1955)
Some of you wonder how in the world we tell you the color we have sent is an exact match when you know it’s way off? We use color standards from each vehicle manufacturer but sometimes, due to different batches of paint. Sometimes the only way we can match some vehicles is to get a sample off your car as the standard formula is too far off.
Again, we try our best, but I certainly understand your frustration.
Collin
September 16th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Nice article about a customer and owner relationship in paint business.
February 2nd, 2008 at 4:22 am
Another problem I’ve come across is that 2 month old paint from the paint shop isn’t going to be the exactly the same colour as the 10 year old paint on your car due to ageing and sun fading.
October 21st, 2008 at 5:38 am
I ordered Sage Brush Pearl (NH-662P-4) but I received was just plain black. At first I think the paint will match when dried. No, it does not. I regret that I applied the paint without testing in one area and it has a black spot on shiny pearl surface.