Hey everyone. Spring is somewhat close at which time I am installing my Stillen front spoiler and new trunk lid. I am having a friend's dad do the painting for both the spoiler and trunk lid including some painting and blending on the rear bumper where I accidentally back into something. Here is my question: How much paint will I need to buy from Nissan to paint the Stillen front spoiler, an entire NEW unpainted trunklid, and a small amount extra for the rear bumper? And has anyone checked on how much the factory paint costs? Thanks.

Aaron

 

Hey Aaron:
There's no such thing as "Nissan paint" - they buy it from some supplier just as any other manufacturer does (i.e. even if they'll sell you some "Genuine Nissan Paint", you'll pay triple for it). Moreover, those paints used by OEMs are likely to be no use to you - very high temperature needed for them to cure (That's why you see those heated spray booths in any decent body shop facility).
Second, as a general rule, ALWAYS buy MORE paint than you need - you'll never get exactly the same color/batch again.
Third, ask your friendly body shop that paint THEY would use, and more likely than not they'd be happy to sell you some.


Regards,
Eugene

 

Thanks. So is it going to be close enough of a match that I will be content with the paint job? Will it still be glossy and match so that it will not be noticeable?

Secondly, when it comes to painting, I know some paints go on differently (e.g. some are painted on in different layers or certain colors result from painting a combination of paints). I guess what I am wondering is, is the ALO paint code (Ruby Pearl) go on as one color or is there a combination of different colors that make Ruby Pearl? Thanks

Aaron

 

Does your friends father work in a paint shop? If so they should have a paint system to make your color. We use a Sherwin Williams paint system at our place. I'm not 100% sure, but your Ruby Pearl may involve a Pearl step making it a 3 step process. The pearl coat is very hard to match. We ususally make several swatches and compair them to the car before we paint. Sometimes you need several coats of pearl and sometimes only 1 or 2 to match the color.

I could be wrong with the pearl step I'm not at the shop to look up your color code.

Paint is always mixed from base colors, nobody stocks paint premixed and there is no such thing as Nissan Paint or any other car companys paint. Car companys mfg cars, not paint.

As long at the color is very close and the blends are done correctly you'll never see the difference. You can wet sand the final coat with 1500, then rub it out with a wheel. That will produce a flat finish that will better match the texture of your factory paint.

Two key things produce good paint jobs.
1) Good prep work.
2) A clean spray booth.

 

Aaron:
It's impossible to say if it be satisfactory match; even if it looks good, it might change with time. (Yes, the quality paint job is a complete car job). "Glossiness" is, for the more most part, a property of the paint. Most colors are combination {mixes), and some are quite sophisticated -- again, there're number of tables the body shop would use (each major paint manufacturer supplies it's own) to match this ALO code. Because of aging, the new paint of even the same batch will NEVER match the one on the car - hence you'd always spot a touch-up on the car, regardless of the color!
Your Ruby Pearl is difficult to match. I'd recommend you pay a pro. If you haven't done this before, you'll likely find it very difficult. If you do, keep in mind that auto paint are to be applied to the warm/hot surface; this is not only for better bonding on the molecular level, but also for the paint to distribute evenly because of hot paint' viscosity.
Eugene

 

Well, I personally was not going to do the paint job myself since I have never done auto body/paint work before. The dad of a friend of mine use to do paintwork on cars for a living before he had to retire early. No he does car painting on the side. He does the painting in his garage. So it is not really a "paintshop" per say. Would I just be better off having him paint the front spoiler and touch up the rear bumper? And have a professional shop with all the proper equipment do the trunk lid?