Aftermarket Paint Matching

[JBT]

I want to get a spray can (rattle can) made up of acrylic paint to match the paint on an older car. Unknown paint code and no clear coat.

Anyone know who can do this in the Brisbane area?

[93_Clubman]

JBT, this might give you the paint code:
http://www.autocolorlibrary.com/

[JBT]

Unfortunately it doesn't help, but thanks anyway. I'm not even sure that it is an original colour. The car is 40 years old.

[NMX516]

I'd be very interested in hearing if you find a solution to this JBT - I could use a similar solution for the Pulsar, but only want to do a part spray adjacent to some faded paint. I have the colour code, but I need the faded code!

[Mr Morlock]

You go to a auto paint supplier and they will will be check " records". After 40 yrs one would expect the paint would have faded. Paints can also be matched by eye- the guys who do it all the time are pretty good. My local paint specialist- little business do this type of work. The paint spec for the car will be on a plate somewhere on the firewall.

[JBT]

Trust me Mr M, there never was a paint code or spec stamped anywhere on this car.

[bruce]

Is it an old Mini?

[JBT]

MGB Bruce. Autobarn at Lawnton has a colour match service in that they give you the colour swatches and then you pick the one that matches your paint. They mix it and put in a pressure pack can. $30 for a 350 gm can. The colour match test will come in a day or so when it goes on the car. I'm not sure whether I want to take before and after photos.

[kitkat]

A reputable paint store should be able to recreate the colour using a special machine. You will however have to bring a smaple in.

From what i understand the machine scans the sample and its colours, then it gives an exact mesurements of pigments to mix. They have special machines and scales so nothing is over added etc-

On the Gold Coast 3D Paint & Colour at Nerang & Oxenford offer the service, im asuming theres 3D Paint & Colour franchises around Brisbane aswell.

Not sure if they can make it into a spray can though.

[JBT]

The only sample I have is the whole car . I did a test spray today on a bit of wood and the colour had gone completely wrong - and I mean completely . Took the can back and they made up a new batch and gave it a test spray then and there. OK so far. I'll try it on the repaired area tomorrow. With all the running around I've done (and the aggro), it probably would have been better to have just taken it to a spray painter and had them do the whole thing.

[Mr Morlock]

what was not mentioned was whether the B is a standard colour.If not standard it could be anything. This is probably the most restored classic of all in Au and in theory at least you should be able to get the paint.The Club has mega numbers of cars and guys with knowledge. I also reckon it needs to be sprayed on a plaque or steel plate but if the existing paint has faded well.... Removal of the boot lid is a possible option for the guy doing the matching.

[JBT]

Correct Mr M. I did say in my second post that I'm not sure if it is an original colour. It's a form of yellow but none that I've ever seen on an MGB or an MG anything. The previous owner had it from about 1980 and it was that colour then. Mind you, if it is a respray, they did a thorough job.

Anyway, I sprayed the damaged area on the sill and the colour is a bit of a mismatch...but a lot closer than undercoat grey. Hey, I could always paint the sills black . The car will probably need a respray in a few years anyway to have all its various character dings and scratches fixed.

Thanks to Rob, the manager at Autobarn Lawnton for sorting the problem with the original can. He thinks the pre-packaged thinner in the can may have been off. As a good will gesture , he didn't charge me for the can of cutting compound I bought yesterday.

[NMX516]

So JBT, this MGB is a new toy of yours then is it? Or helping a friend with theirs? What year is it?

I'll have to go and pay Autobarn Lawnton a visit to by the sounds of things...

[JBT]

It's a toy mate. 1970 MGB GT. Needs some TLC but runs nicely and doesn't seem to have had any shunts. The last owner had it for 30 years and it seems he ran up about 20,000 miles in that time. I don't think he drove it last year and hadn't even run the engine after fitting a head he had modified (last year) for unleaded fuel. It's quite enlightening driving this car in today's traffic at peak times.

[NMX516]

Sounds good JBT! Correct bumpers too No wind in the hair though, or has it got a Webasto?

I've started searching around for a round nose Mini lately. I've got the need for an old classic Need to at least sell the black 5 though first two enquiries in 6 months....