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Topic: Trying to Match Existing Paint; Headlight lid.

in Forum: C3 Car Care

Trying to Match Existing Paint; Headlight lid.

Posted: 11/25/10 7:39am Message 1 of 7
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Bloomfield Hills, MI - USA
Joined: 6/29/2008
Posts: 199
Vette(s): 1975 Corvette coupe, 4 speed manual, 383 ci 9.5:1,Edelbrock dual plane Air Gap intake, Alum Heads,Comp Cam, roller Rockers, PS,PB,Tilt
My car is painted and I do not know the color code. I want to get some paint in spray cans to be able to touch up some areas.

I need to send a a flat 4" by 4" piece for them to scan to get a match.

I'm thinking of pulling the hedlight lid and sending that.

Has anyone removed one and do you have any tips?



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Trying to Match Existing Paint; Headlight lid.

Posted: 11/25/10 8:55am Message 2 of 7
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spicewood, TX - USA
Joined: 9/13/2009
Posts: 72
Vette(s): Sold them Both
Try sending them your gas cap door.  Much easier to remove and replace, plus it can be matched to the inside of the lid.  If it Basecoat/Clearcoat, it will be a tough match.  Matching the underside of the lid will be better and will have no sun fading.  You will have to do it in B/C C/C as well, or you will never get anywhere near the actual color in a single stage paint.  Find a good reputable auto paint supplier, where that is all that they do.  They will be alot of help and custom matching should be on their list of talents.  I used to do it for a living years ago, (Auto Paint)so I am speaking from experience.



 

Trying to Match Existing Paint; Headlight lid.

Posted: 11/25/10 9:26am Message 3 of 7
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HOWELL, NJ - USA
Joined: 5/18/2004
Posts: 6812
Vette(s): 1979, Targa Blue (72 Color), Pace Car rear spoiler, L88 hood, Dark blue factory interior, 525HP 406, HD 700R4, 370 gears,Steeroids, composite rear spring, TT IIs wrapped in T/A Radials.
Most automotive paint dealers will walk right out to your car and use a "pigment camera" to take a picture of the paint. Their computer then breaks down the pigments in the picture and creates a match. Before shipping body parts off anywhere, I would look into that - there must be a reputable dealer in your area...

This is usually a really good match. I have used it several times...



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Trying to Match Existing Paint; Headlight lid.

Posted: 11/25/10 7:20pm Message 4 of 7
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York, PA - USA
Joined: 5/18/2010
Posts: 1518
Vette(s): 1969 daytona conv. all original 350 350 380 4 sp w/air..and hard top
Find out where body shops get their paint..it's in he Yellow pages..look under automotive paint supplies..these are the ones who can make spray cans to match..bring the car there if you can and show them where you want to touch up..they will match paint for each area..depending on fade! Most charge around 15 a can..clean it good and spray inside with everything else covered.
Rich



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Trying to Match Existing Paint; Headlight lid.

Posted: 11/25/10 9:22pm Message 5 of 7
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Irving, TX - USA
Joined: 8/21/2004
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Vette(s): #1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks. #2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.
I just took my gas cap to this auto paint shop and they matched it up GREAT and only charged me $10.00 buck for a pretty big bottle of touch up.Big smile


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Trying to Match Existing Paint; Headlight lid.

Posted: 11/27/10 11:25am Message 6 of 7
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Mounds View, MN - USA
Joined: 5/24/2007
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Vette(s): 70 LT1 coupe, 69 350 HP coupe, 69 390HP 427 coupe, 71 LS5 convert, 85 coupe, 93 coupe
I would buy a small amount of paint in a bottle, and use an air brush or small paint brush for chips.  It is more versatile and will keep longer.

Larry



Trying to Match Existing Paint; Headlight lid.

Posted: 11/27/10 2:44pm Message 7 of 7
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Bloomfield Hills, MI - USA
Joined: 6/29/2008
Posts: 199
Vette(s): 1975 Corvette coupe, 4 speed manual, 383 ci 9.5:1,Edelbrock dual plane Air Gap intake, Alum Heads,Comp Cam, roller Rockers, PS,PB,Tilt
Thanks for all the tips. I went to a paint shop and they guy tried to match chips to the car. Cost for a spray can was approx. $75 so I was looking for other options.

The gas lid is the easiest to remove, but my cap had a big decal on it so; I have a close to original color that was under the decal and a faded color at the outer edges; it will likely not be enough area to get a good reading.

I will call around to automotive paint shops to see who has an instrument that can get a color reading.



in Forum: C3 Car Care


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