Formula red paint matching problem
- Thread starter gobble
- Start date
I had my red, '91 back bumper painted. The original is a 21 step process and unless you are going to pay top dollar, it will be tough to get that good. However, aside from a little orange peel, the color is exact! This was done on the car last year. You may have a problem with your original color changing due to sun damage. Mine has always been garaged (and covered) and only has about 19k miles on it. I also only paid $250 for the paint job (I closed the garage door while the car was about an inch to close, the metal door handle gouged to bumper, ouch).
it is very unlikely that you will find any paint shop that will know exactly what to do to fix your problem. you might try a different shop that uses a different brand of paint. the metal halide parking lot lighting is accentuating the orange look in the paint the same way flourescent light makes colors look different than incandescent. a shop would have to luck up to find the correct color blend. who knows what brand of paint acura used to originally used to paint the vehicle.... sometimes, the best bet is to deal with a little touch up paint rather than the horror of a mis-matched panel.. good luck from ga.
I've had a similar experience. My car is Formula Red. I had the hood replaced when it got dented by road debris. In natural light, the color match is indistinguishable. In fluorescent light, it's more noticeable (albeit not horrible).
I don't worry about it.
If you still intend to go to a body shop, here's my advice on body shops (since you're not too far away). I've heard at least half a dozen body shops in Chicago and Milwaukee highly recommended for NSX repairs, and I also know at least one person who has had an unsatisfactory experience at all of those body shops except one. That exception is the ONLY place I would take my NSX if I wanted a repair to be absolutely perfect. It's The Last Detail in North Chicago, halfway between Milwaukee and Chicago, where SJJ28 works. They're not inexpensive, but you get what you pay for.
I don't worry about it.
If you still intend to go to a body shop, here's my advice on body shops (since you're not too far away). I've heard at least half a dozen body shops in Chicago and Milwaukee highly recommended for NSX repairs, and I also know at least one person who has had an unsatisfactory experience at all of those body shops except one. That exception is the ONLY place I would take my NSX if I wanted a repair to be absolutely perfect. It's The Last Detail in North Chicago, halfway between Milwaukee and Chicago, where SJJ28 works. They're not inexpensive, but you get what you pay for.
The parking lot lights that are orange-ish in color will show any previous paint work. Unless you repaint the entire car, you can almost always pick out repainted panels under these types of lights. I have a portable fixture, that puts out this type of light. I take it with me when I am considering a used car purchase. If the car is local I use the local high school parking lot.
Steve Jenkins, 847-689-8822. Steve sells used cars there (mostly high-end Ferraris and Porsches) but is also happy to assist with arranging body work.
In addition to selling those used cars and offering detailing services, The Last Detail is not just "a" body shop, but "the" body shop of choice for those high-end cars. They have the latest, computer-controlled equipment for ensuring that repairs are done perfectly, to the tightest tolerances. They cater to customers who want the very best - repairing everything from Ferraris and NSXs to family cars whose owners are willing to pay a little more for the very best. They also offer climate-controlled storage. Steve will be happy to show you around and point out some of the rarer and more unusual automobiles on the premises.
[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 30 March 2002).]
Did you have your hood that doesn't match painted at The Last Detail? Or somewhere else?
Somewhere else. But they DID use the three-stage process that pbassjo describes below.
Do you think it is possible for them to make an exact match in both natural light and non-natural light without painting into the adjacent panels?
I don't know. I would suggest discussing it with Steve.
By the way, are you Phil?
No, I'm Ken. But funny you should ask; I had dinner with Phil M tonight.
[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 31 March 2002).]
Somewhere else. But they DID use the three-stage process that pbassjo describes below.
Do you think it is possible for them to make an exact match in both natural light and non-natural light without painting into the adjacent panels?
I don't know. I would suggest discussing it with Steve.
By the way, are you Phil?
No, I'm Ken. But funny you should ask; I had dinner with Phil M tonight.
[This message has been edited by nsxtasy (edited 31 March 2002).]
Some people can find fault with the best of refinish work and I am one of them and, there are many others. Find someone who agrees with your standard and go there.
I don't know how it is possible for a color to look the same to every one under every possible light source unless the entire object in question is refinished fully and, even then it's a matter or perception.
All that aside, collision repair shops should, in my opinion, be using a three stage system on the Formula One Red.
DuPont does offer a Base/Clear alternate on this color and I can't/don't use it because it looks so poor under "daylight".
It needs,in my opinion, the tinted mid-coat especially if you want to achieve the magenta/violet side tone found in this color.
Using the three stage paint method however, does not guarantee a perfect match under all lighting conditions as Ken, above, has found.
If your car looks good under natural light but not in this parking lot than don't sweat it. I would obsess over the car being in any parking lot without me "in" the car at all times more than the color under the orange lights. Most of the time I don't get out of the car unless I'm home
.
[This message has been edited by pbassjo (edited 31 March 2002).]
[This message has been edited by pbassjo (edited 31 March 2002).]
I don't know how it is possible for a color to look the same to every one under every possible light source unless the entire object in question is refinished fully and, even then it's a matter or perception.
All that aside, collision repair shops should, in my opinion, be using a three stage system on the Formula One Red.
DuPont does offer a Base/Clear alternate on this color and I can't/don't use it because it looks so poor under "daylight".
It needs,in my opinion, the tinted mid-coat especially if you want to achieve the magenta/violet side tone found in this color.
Using the three stage paint method however, does not guarantee a perfect match under all lighting conditions as Ken, above, has found.
If your car looks good under natural light but not in this parking lot than don't sweat it. I would obsess over the car being in any parking lot without me "in" the car at all times more than the color under the orange lights. Most of the time I don't get out of the car unless I'm home
[This message has been edited by pbassjo (edited 31 March 2002).]
[This message has been edited by pbassjo (edited 31 March 2002).]
Is this a pertinent problem for formula red? Or is it hard to match any colors for NSX in general? Will any rich colors like monte carlo blue or yellow have the similar problem?
Probably.
Is this a pertinent problem for formula red? Or is it hard to match any colors for NSX in general? Will any rich colors like monte carlo blue or yellow have the similar problem?
Formula Red is the only color with a tinted clear coat.
Which process did they use to get these perfect results?
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Russ
'91 black/black
I know another NSX owner whose NSX body repair at Marshall was extremely unsatisfactory. I believe it had to be re-done several times.
Even the BEST can get stumped... when I had TLD do my 93 Sebring Silver (aftermarket bodykit), in addition to spraying adjacent panels, they had to shoot the doors. Evidently some of the lighter metallic shades are darn near impossible to get perfect.
Sounds like yours is OK.
I am aware of Marshall doing an OK job on RED cars. I am know of at least one list member who had troubles with the repaint on a BLACK NSX.
He had an accident in the rear of his purple NSX. As I recall, the body panels weren't lined up properly and there was severe orange peel on the repainted finish. It was quite noticeable by even the most untrained, casual observer.
