matching new paint to old

[Huey]

Hello everyone,
Im new to the site but have already found lots of helpful info for my welding (learning MIG) but now need some advice on preping an painting. I bought an old transit 260 that had had vinyl letters removed and the bloke used a blade to get them of, made a mess of it lots of scratches down to bare metal. Cant afford a respray its only for work but want to tidy it up, how can i get the new paint to match the old or will i need to get some mixed to match. If anyone can help i would grateful.

 

[the snooper]

just get the paint code from under the bonnet and away you go

but be aware that the match is only as good as the guy that mixes it, you can do a small test and if its out take it back and ask for it to be tinted

but before you paint the pannel make sure you clean the surrounding paint with g3 or similar so as to avoid a dirty line between old and new paint

 

[Huey]

i got a spray can that matched the paint code on the vin plate but it didnt match the paint on the van. The paint i got was of the shelf not mixed .The van is 10 years old and faded.If i get some mixed and give them the paint code i dont think it will match either. If i tell them the age of the van will they mix it differently. Because theres so many scratches it has to be a better match than it is now or it will stand out mach. Thanks Huey

 

[Ratty]

If you take the van to a good sprayer (or paint mixer) they should be able to match the paint colour. It's an art and a science, a good colour mixer should know pretty much what tints to use. Good luck!
Alternately, paint the damaged panels a completely different colour and go two-tone

 

[Huey]

Ratty do you know roughly how mutch it would cost per spray can and is there a minimum amount they would want you to have mixed, as you can probably tell im new to all this and iv e got alot to learn. Thanks Huey

 

[the snooper]

i think spray cans are around the £8 mark although ive never used one
your van isnt diamond white by any chance is it, ive had that many shades of diamond white supplied its unbelievable

 

[Huey]

Your bang on Snooper diamond white 73 is what i was given at shop there was 2 whole pages of white and loads were diamond white ,very confusing.

 

[langy]

There are several shades of Diamond white plus it will be well faded on an old transit

 

[Ratty]

Ratty do you know roughly how mutch it would cost per spray can and is there a minimum amount they would want you to have mixed, as you can probably tell im new to all this and iv e got alot to learn. Thanks Huey

Sorry Huey, I can't help on price - minimum amount might end up being way too much for spraying a couple of panels (I wasn't thinking very straight last night ). Also you wouldn't get it in spray cans, it would be a can of paint (unlikely to be less than 2.5 litres and possibly more like 5 litres) and you'd then have to get the necessary equipment to spray it. I think if it were my van I'd just get it as close as possible and not worry too much. As long as it goes, that's the main thing. If it's just the side panels then a different shade wouldn't look too bad.

 

[jaykay]

my local paint supplier will mix as little as 1/8 ltr.
your best bet is to give them a part to match too.

 

[Huey]

just spoke to a mate and he said he went to discount pannels when he needed some paint mixed and gave them the petrol cap cover, and they mixed it exactly they will also put it in a spray can so i should be set. Thanks for the advice Huey.

 

[Ratty]

Well that's worth knowing, good call, let us know if they get it right!