Quote:
Originally Posted by N1cotine
Hello I'll clear up a few things. Toyota does not sell paint. Actually there aren't any dealers that sell "factory" paint. There is a paint code that is used to blend and make the paint. The body shop that you choose will take the paint code and make their own paint. The metallic flakes is part of the mixed paint.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kch
Halo and CWP are what they call tri-coat paints. That is, there's a white base coat, a middle pearl coat, and then the clearcoat. It is notoriously difficult to match 100%.
I have a 3-stage touchup kit from www.automotivetouchup.com and it does well enough. I generally do the base coat first, and then just mix the pearl and clear together and apply on top. |
These^^^^^
The factory paint is special and only works with the factory application process. There are no body shops that can use "factory" paint. The odds of "factory" paint matching a used car are remote anyway since it has not been subject to sunlight and wear and tear. The body shop can match the paint far more effectively then any can of "factory" stuff would. The paint the body shop will use will be far better than the factory paint anyway since they are restricted to the same VOC reduction requirement the factories are. This means they can apply a thicker and stronger coat.
The pearl is a separate coat as said. If you get a chance take a look at what Laval looks like under the hood. They don't put the pearl coat over the base there and it is one funky colour.