Is Silver Birch Metallic Really That Hard To Color Match?

[amg280]

So Ive had my (new to me) 06 truck for 4 days, and without going into detail, gets scratched and dented on the left side bed, on Z71 decal, $800 estimate. (not my doings, btw)

 

Took it in monday to a highly rated shop, they called me today and said it was ready. I go there, and the first thing I noticed was the repair area was lighter than the rest of the truck. They blended it at around the rear tire area, a good blend, but the new color was MUCH too bright. It was very apparent looking at it from the back, because the tailgate was not painted. Needless to say i was PISSED! Also things of note, the Z71 sticker was full of "bubbles". And some of the side of the bed had dust spots that they said would be gone if they wet sanded them. Im thinking to myself, then why the hell didnt you do it?

 

The manager there even agreed with me that it was off a little. I didnt pay them a dime, and told them I didnt want the truck. He seemed more than happy to "re-do" it. I wasnt a dick about it, I was very nice. I even apologized for being so picky. Im sure the average joe six pack would be fine with it. Im lucky the sun was actually out today when I saw the truck for inspection.

 

This really pisses me off because this truck was mint with all original paintwork, without a single scratch, ding, or dent. Not even a swirl mark. Now, I feel its going to be tainted forever.

 

Sorry, just had to vent...

[chevylobo]

from what iv learne dover the years anything metallic is hard to match perfect with outa full repaint

[Havasubum]

Any good body shop should know how to color match silver birch. My 06 Sierra needed lots of paint repair after it was vandalized, thank you to the a**hole that did it. In order to match the paint the shop color matched the truck by "flopping" the color. If you don't flop it the paint looks ok straight on, but looking from any angle it looks mismatched as light is reflected from it. The shop needs to contact a paint manufacturer (i.e. Dupont, etc) for paint matching help. All the info is online for silver birch.

[rckt442]

Your experience sounds just like mine. Had to have my right year bedside repainted just a few weeks after the truck was new and they neglected to sand/buff the clearcoat after they sprayed it on, and I also had air bubbles in the new Z71 decal. After wet sanding and buffing, the paint came out nice and was nearly a perfect match to the rest of the truck (although mine is dark blue metallic). They had to reorder a z71 decal and they put it on right the second time around.

[svensk]

You don't want those decals on there anyway...

[HawkeyeOC]

from what iv learne dover the years anything metallic is hard to match perfect with outa full repaint

 

+1 Saw a good body shop repaint 3 times a section on my brothers silver Acura. Certain colors are tougher than others

[amg280]

Thanks for the support guys. Hopefully it will be much better when I pick it up next week...althought im a bit aprehensive

[Mazer18]

I was in your same position not too long ago. I ran my brand new, first, truck up along a sneaky tree in the woods after about 5 months of ownership. It tore the mirror off and left a nasty dent across the length of the door. I was scared too that it couldn't be matched and even considered not getting it fixed since there was no paint damage but just a large dent. Anyway, this past spring I decided to have it fixed at my dealership's body shop. They had to replace the whole outer shell of the door and repaint at a cost of $1100. I personally think they did an excellent job but I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

 

Before; original busted up door

 

 

Now; new repainted door

 

 

 

 

By the way, don't worry about your new truck being "tainted". I worried over the same thing figuring that everytime I looked at I my truck I would think about the non-original door. However, I don't even think about it. It seems just as original as the rest of the truck anymore to me.

[Havasubum]

Mazer18

 

Your avatar is bitchin. You're the man!

[Zembonez]

A good shop (with a good painter) can paint ANY color and make the repair disappear. It may take blending adjacent panels on some tough colors but it can be done. Don't settle for a crappy job.

[rogerf]

You don't want those decals on there anyway...

Many places recommend letting fresh automotive paint cure for a few weeks before applying decals. Small amounts of gasses escape from the curing paint and can cause bubbles in the decal.

[VMax2007]

A good shop (with a good painter) can paint ANY color and make the repair disappear. It may take blending adjacent panels on some tough colors but it can be done. Don't settle for a crappy job.

 

+1

 

My truck is living proof. I'd challenge anyone (that doesn't already know) to tell me which fender got replaced/repainted.

 

They did have to blend into the door and hood.

[Krooz]

A good shop (with a good painter) can paint ANY color and make the repair disappear. It may take blending adjacent panels on some tough colors but it can be done. Don't settle for a crappy job.

 

+1

 

My truck is living proof. I'd challenge anyone (that doesn't already know) to tell me which fender got replaced/repainted.

 

They did have to blend into the door and hood.

 

 

+2...... I about totaled my new Sierra while back (see "bad day" post). Shop painted the new front end, blended onto the front doors where damaged and repaired/painted ding on rear wheel flare.... never guess it wasn't original paint.

 

Krooz

[Mazer18]

What exactly do they do when the blend with other parts of the vehicle? Are they changing the paint color of the undamaged ares or changing the "fresh" paint for the damaged area?

[VMax2007]

What exactly do they do when the blend with other parts of the vehicle? Are they changing the paint color of the undamaged ares or changing the "fresh" paint for the damaged area?

 

 

They basically just feather the new paint into the old to make the transition gradual. Then they clearcoat it and buff it out.