Engine Bay paint match question

[wizard124]

Granted, I know very little about automotive paints and finishes. My current thinking is I intend to have the car painted in a color that will not contrast greatly with the original Metallic Gray (code 876). The trunk interior and engine bay will be left as is. I want to obtain a matched paint that I can brush on to touch up spots in these areas when the opportunities exist.

So, I ventured down to FinishMasters today, thinking they could whip up a can of 876. I come to find out it is alot more complicated...needing hardeners, reducers......and expensive. I was thinking more like a custom mixed Rustoleum product. Simply pop off the lid and brush.

I've tried a couple of off the shelf touch up paints but they aren't even close.

Anyone have a solution?

[azruss]

You are asking a lot trying to match a metallic. Not sure what the goal is here. Sounds like you are wanting to paint the exterior and leave the rest alone. Anytime you have a metallic, brushing it on will leave you very visable streaks. You can go to the automotive paint store and order some acrylic enamel. They will want to sell you hardener, which gives you great solvent protection, but not required. This will give you the best for the least.

[wizard124]

You are asking a lot trying to match a metallic. Not sure what the goal is here. Sounds like you are wanting to paint the exterior and leave the rest alone. Anytime you have a metallic, brushing it on will leave you very visable streaks. You can go to the automotive paint store and order some acrylic enamel. They will want to sell you hardener, which gives you great solvent protection, but not required. This will give you the best for the least.

The interior spaces look more like a flat than a metallic. Can I get it flat in the same color? Finishmasters told me the hardener was required....although that employee didn't fill me with confidence

As an example, I have some rust/stains on the panel forward of the radiator. I want to spot paint that when I pull the radiator soon. I want the paint to match as close as possible. A mirror like exterior finish isn't necessary, thus the brush application.

[azruss]

any automotive paint supplier can match paints. they also have books and books of colors. you have to find a place that has been around awhile to find a good selection of non metallic paints. just try to find something as close as you can. My personal opinion is to spend the extra dough on a hardener. You will end up with a far more durable paint and one you can clean with solvent or lacquer thinner is necessary.

[81SPIDERMATT]

also the auto paint supplier can put the paint in a spray can for you.....

or there are places like this.... myperfectcolor.com

[seabeelt]

Or tcpglobal.com. Check out their paint library. Paint also depends on which system you use. Base coat/clear coat. Acrylic urethane ( one coat type system). Lacquer - really old school... I think there are 4 different systems total. Need to pick one and go from there.
R/

[wizard124]

All, thanks for the info.

A single stage paint to use in the bay sounds like the answer. I'll go back to FinishMasters and speak with a different rep.

[divace73]

hi Wizard124, what year is your car?
My original colour is stated Grigio Metal 678/F (mettical grey) and is an 1980 with the Blue interior (now changed to red), I have changed to a different silver for my exterior,. however I have noticed that the interior bits like in the boot (trunk) doesn't appear to be metallic?? I have been thinking of going back to the original colour it it happens to be the actual colour I want...

Unless of course that the paint code that is on my boot lid is not an original boot lid.....
My dilemma was when it cam time to paint the car, the silver on the car didn't match the paint code, so I chose a common colour of the the time I thought would be easy to match in future, it is/was a Toyota RAV4 507 silver in about 2002

[wizard124]

Hi Divace73:

Seems we have the same cars and the same problems,........we don't like the original paint and don't like the blue interior

I'm pretty sure the exterior is going to be BMW's Atlantic Blue Metallic (code A13) with a saddle/light brown interior. This color is a pretty light shade of blue, so I think keeping the engine bay original won't lead to a glaring contrast. The reason I want to do spot touch ups with a brush.

Like yours, the paint in the bay and boot don't look metallic. The match shouldn't be difficult.