I ordered a 12oz custom mix spray can for my 03 Midnight Blue Metallic from automotivetouchup.com.

When I initially went to their website I couldn't find my exact paint code, L39C. Their site said it was 37W. I gave them a call and the lady said that 37W and L39C were exactly the same colors. I didn't think so, but ordered it anyway.

I received my can along with a can of clear coat, total cost after shipping was $40.

I painted the test card they sent, following the directions carefully, spraying the clear coat like the directions said.

It looked fantastic! BUT, it was a couple shades too dark and had way too much glitter in it. See pic below...

So 37W is NOT the same at 39C...

Bottom line, if you want paint that matches perfectly, be careful with these guys.

 

Metallic paints are some of the hardest paints to match properly because of the quantity and size of the flakes. I also recommend having large paint section handled by a professional body shop that can run a computer analysis against a paint scan of your car and the factory paint code. With the exception of minor touchup (e.g. stone chips), I wouldn't do it, especially on a Porsche.

 

Totally agree!...

...unless its a car you don't care about.

 

So true! I've seen many people paint their own cars in a make-shift paint booths. More power to them. Paint is not my thing. I leave that up to the pros.

 

The best way to get very close paint match is to actually get off the computer and go outside and get down to an automotive paint supply company like our local Seattle Westco Automotive Paint Supply - They have a computerized gun that they walk out to your car and shoot various panels and get an almost perfect mix.
I have done this at least 5x over the past 25 years with all metallic colors mainly silver and grey shades.
*My Jade Green bent sunroof 1953 356 had its original metallic paint and there was a worn area on front lower bumper - I ordered the spray can and did a test and it was absolutely perfect match so i sprayed and clear coated the bumper myself - it looked absolutely perfect.

 

That's awesome advice! Tell me the steps you used. How much time between coats. Did you wait for the clear coat overnight or sprayed it after the base?

 

Westco Automotive shoots the panels then creates a paint code - They offer touch small amounts like 1/2 pints up to gallons as they supply to all the high end auto body shops.
They also offer spray cans which is what I have ordered in the past.
I did a light sanding to prep the surfaces and used blue tape to tape off any areas necessary.
I sprayed my '53 356 bumper.
I've sprayed 3 sets of 911sc front headlight trim rings - 3 in silver and one set in dark gray(Schwartz metallic)

I used their clearcoat after the initial spraying and after everything was said and done all looked great.

 

Wow...thanks for this great info....especially since I am in the Seattle Area. :-)

 

I'm doing a small fender paint repair and a bumper respray right now. I second groovzilla, there's no substitute for going to a good local supply shop for the paint. Most can put it in a rattle can if you don't want to mess with a compressor/gun setup.

Beyond that, you just have to do it and get some experience. Sure, watch some YouTube videos from good sources to get the basics but eventually, you have to spray down some primer, block sand it and then paint. At each step look at the texture and feel for imperfections. You will make mistakes, and probably have to use a lot more primer and sandpaper while you learn, but if you are willing to take the time you can produce better results at home than any of the cheaper shops out there.

Finally, don't forget to cut and buff the clear coat (if your paint doesn't have any orange peel). Learning how to do clear coat paint correction with a random orbital is a great detailing skill regardless.

One last thought, if you are just doing a rock chip and don't need perfect, I recommend a paint pen. Check Amazon. They are cheap and allow you to fill small chips easy.

 

i just painted my front splitter over the weekend with automotivetouchup paint.
they matched the paint code perfectly (92U arctic silver metallic)
i removed the bumper and prepped, masked the splitter, primed, and then painted with body color and clear

overall looks great, not a 10, but maybe a 9.5

 

 

 

Yeah, my luck, I may have gotten a bad batch. Yours looks like a perfect match!

 

 

I think paint you order from these places normally matches identically, even metallic. I suspect they are mixed up on the code. I had a bad experience under the same conditions -- they didn't have a paint code listed, but when I called them, they said they could make it (Maserati "Rosso Mondiale") -- what I received wasn't even close. Everything else from same place that was listed was fine.

I would send Automotive Touchup your picture and ask them either to send you either the correct paint or a refund -- they should be happy to do either one. If you order from somebody else (like paintscratch.com) that has the proper code listed, I'd be surprised if it didn't match. I think any reputable supplier will take care of you once they see your picture showing how far off it is.