Question for those who know about painting polyurethane parts

[TriGem2k]

Any quality bodyshop should be able to match the color 100%. I had mine done and there is no difference in color.

I would take it up with the bodyshop. I can assure you they didn't use the right paints only something "similar" to Porsche.

[yellowboxster01]

Bumpers never match the car 100% because of the difference in materials. Look at any brand new car in direct sunlight, the bumpers won't match. Some more noticeable than others but I assure you there will be a slight color difference.

Some body shops will take the color code and mix that up, spray a sample, compare it with the car, and add whatever is needed to get the correct usually sun faded color. However, it's obvious that they don't do that.

[joee76]

Hmmm...I know nothing about painting, but couldn't they have painted one coat and then paint another coat over it, so the original bumper color wouldn't affect the true color of the paint ?

My problem is that the paint is actually lighter than my body. So if they were painting on a black bumper, wouldn't it cause the paint to be a little darker ?

[Rareair]

I painted my own polyurethane bumper (GT3 from Precision Porsche) along with a few fiberglass pieces (rear spoilers & under tray) as well as the bumperettes. I used Glasurit 2-stage paint. Guess what? It all matches just like factory.
If your paint refinisher can't match it, he's not the guy to go to in the first place.

[joee76]

Thanks for everyone's replies.

Rareair, I see that your car is dark blue. Is it metallic in color ? I went back today and they did agree that the color on my original paint looks more 'yellow' than what they color matched. It's most prominent right where the bumper and fenders meet, so they are going to do some blending.

The GT3 skirts don't look so bad...but I just can't get over the front bumper. It looks really silver, not arctic silver. They were telling me that metallic paints are tricky because the color will change slightly in certain angles, which I can see.

Here's a pic. In bright sunlight it looks fine. It's just during overcast or cloudy days where I really notice a difference.

I just don't know enough about the trade to understand what they are explaining to me. They mentioned that they used the best paint out there. It was BASF stuff, but I wasn't sure what kind.

All I know is that it doesn't match 100% and I'm not 100% happy.

Originally Posted by Rareair

I painted my own polyurethane bumper (GT3 from Precision Porsche) along with a few fiberglass pieces (rear spoilers & under tray) as well as the bumperettes. I used Glasurit 2-stage paint. Guess what? It all matches just like factory.
If your paint refinisher can't match it, he's not the guy to go to in the first place.

[Darkhamr]

Silver does show slight differences very quickly in different lighting. Bumpers do tend to show up worse as they reflect the light at a greater variety of angles than other body panels. I've had four different shops paint body kits etc in the last six years and only one really matched well on the first attempt. Ask them to improve it, but I always pay a little more for blending up front.

[Rareair]

Originally Posted by joee76

Rareair, I see that your car is dark blue. Is it metallic in color? All I know is that it doesn't match 100% and I'm not 100% happy.

My car is Artic Silver, not Blue Which formula did your painter use? There are 2 paint formulas for Artic Silver. 92T & 92U. If you look under the hood of your car, the color code can be found on a White decal sheet along with the M-codes