Paint Matching with Metallic Paint

**austin1999** · 03-11-2016, 11:47 AM

Hello Ls1 forums I recently acquired a 98 firebird with a bright purple metallic paint job. There is half foot area on the passenger quarter panel of grey primer from a repaired dent. Along with that there is a replacement red passenger door. How much can I expect a can of touch up paint to blend with the pre existing job? I am aware it may be darker than the rest of the car from sun damage, but I'd rather have that than a purple grey and red car.

**GULLETT17** · 03-11-2016, 12:16 PM

First question, is the metallic purple the stock color? If so, do your research and find the GM paint code. This usually results in a closer match than having the car's paint scanned. My luck with using the scanning process is pretty mixed. Then it depends on the brand of touch up you use. I know my experience with the one stage Duplicolor stuff from the auto parts stores is that it is pretty noticeably off from the factory mix, even in situation with newer existing paint. Now if you go to an auto paint store and get a PPG or Dupont mix using the paint code in a base/clear system, it will be a lot closer match.

**austin1999** · 03-11-2016, 12:29 PM

Yes, it is originally purple I had to check the driver door sticker when I bought it to be sure. I will have to check to see if any paint stores exist around Boone. I know back home they're practically non existent. Wasn't looking for a perfect look, just trying to avoid dropping 3k on a paint job until after college.