New paint doesn't match

K.M. Ultimate

ITS GO TIME
Hello- I had the quarter panel of my truck painted a couple of years ago after part of it was scratched and dented. I always knew that the paint was off a bit and there were problems with the paint at first (clouds started appearing and getting worse) but they were fixed. However, I just waxed the truck and looked at it this morning when the sun was low. The difference was obvious and I was very disappointed because this truck is almost original. I'm thinking there may be more coats of clear than the factory? Is it possible to wet sand this to get the paint to match better? Look at the pic and tell me if anything can be done. It's not as noticable in the pic because I took it when the sun was higher up. I would appreciate any ideas. By the way, this was done by a very good body shop that know's how picky I am.
 

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You're right, it's hard to tell the difference in the pic. Turn the engine off and take another pic (so that the exhaust plume doesn't obscure the finish you are trying to display).

1. How old was your truck before it was painted? A couple of years of sun and weather can affect a paint job.

2. How extensibly did you detail your truck before the paint job? Did you detail your truck before? A simple wash and wax doesn't offer as much protection against paint wear as regularly detailing the finish with quality paint protection products. (Moreover, I'm not 100% sure that such care is a guarantee against fading - perhaps more experienced detailers can clarify).

3. Wet-sanding isn't the answer (I don't think), because there may still be a mismatch between the repainted section and the rest of the truck.

You say that you body shop knows how picky you are. I believe that they should have told you that it is nearly impossible to match a paint job to the original.

For what it's worth, from the pic you provided, the truck's paint looks great. Now please do something about those wheels and that bedliner!

LOL
Charles

Welcome to Detail City!!!!!!
 
Poorboy said:
It looks like a different shade of basecoat ..wet sanding will not correct it:(

Steve,

I guess I was right about wet-sanding. Hey, can you really see a difference in the shading of the basecoats? I guess I've got "old eyes". :)

Charles
 
Poorboy said:
It looks like a different shade of basecoat ..wet sanding will not correct it:(

I would be suprised if a different shade of basecoat was used because the body guy has done some of our cars and he does a great job matching up the original finish.
 
1. How old was your truck before it was painted? A couple of years of sun and weather can affect a paint job.

2. How extensibly did you detail your truck before the paint job? Did you detail your truck before? A simple wash and wax doesn't offer as much protection against paint wear as regularly detailing the finish with quality paint protection products. (Moreover, I'm not 100% sure that such care is a guarantee against fading - perhaps more experienced detailers can clarify).

3. Wet-sanding isn't the answer (I don't think), because there may still be a mismatch between the repainted section and the rest of the truck.

For what it's worth, from the pic you provided, the truck's paint looks great. Now please do something about those wheels and that bedliner!

You can tell in the pic even thought the exhaust is in some of it. I'll have to take another one tmw morning since you won't be able to tell when the sun is high up. The truck's actually 15 years old believe it or not and I used to wax it every so often with the required polishing in between but didn't want to polish it too much cuz I didn't want to thin out the paint. It was painted about 3 years ago and the finish on the original part is darker than the painted part, and would be suprised if it was the basecoat, but if it is, then that really sucks cuz those are my second set of stripes on the quarter panel and they are expensive. They don't make them anymore and most dealers don't have them in stock either. This is also a work truck which explains the bed which really is not that bad (it's never been detailed) and the wheels never have been polished. I was in the car business a couple years ago, but got out because it didn't work out. Now I'm in my old business cutting grass and the truck's used as a work truck hauling my mower and equipment- I don't even use a trailer although I'm looking for a classic truck to use. This will be retired soon.
 
Wow, I had no idea the truck was that old. It looks really good. You've done a fine job in keeping up its appearance.

There are a lot of people here on DC who just might have the knowledge and experience to solve your particular problem. Let's hope they read this thread and reply.

Looking good for a work truck!
Charles
 
crobinso said:
Wow, I had no idea the truck was that old. It looks really good. You've done a fine job in keeping up its appearance.

There are a lot of people here on DC who just might have the knowledge and experience to solve your particular problem. Let's hope they read this thread and reply.

Looking good for a work truck!
Charles

Thanx- hopefully I'll hear more opions.
 
crobinso said:
Steve,

I guess I was right about wet-sanding. Hey, can you really see a difference in the shading of the basecoats? I guess I've got "old eyes". :)

Charles

Charles when I zoomed in and looked right behind the cab at the reflection of the sun, it looks like it's a shade lighter and not as glossy. that would typically be under the clear not the clear itself, thus the basecoat doesn't match or didn't hold up as the shine and reflections are all clear otherwise.
 
Poorboy said:
Charles when I zoomed in and looked right behind the cab at the reflection of the sun, it looks like it's a shade lighter and not as glossy. that would typically be under the clear not the clear itself, thus the basecoat doesn't match or didn't hold up as the shine and reflections are all clear otherwise.

I've got "old eyes". I still can't tell the difference.

LOL,
Charles
 
Poorboy said:
Charles when I zoomed in and looked right behind the cab at the reflection of the sun, it looks like it's a shade lighter and not as glossy. that would typically be under the clear not the clear itself, thus the basecoat doesn't match or didn't hold up as the shine and reflections are all clear otherwise.

In real life, it's actually more glossy. It looks more smooth, more glass-like and that's why I think it's an attribute of the clearcoat. Will have to take a pic or two this morning when the sun is low then you guys can have a better look.
 
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