I try and post my 'review' on companies, etc that I have bought stuff through... so others can relay the same feelings or otherwise.
I've ordered about $80 worth of paint through color-rite. I bought the 2004 blue... $30... it was way too light. I used it anyway for the little things I would need it for, and blended it together to "make it work"... They were VERY stern when I ordered "no refunds"
Here's what pisses me off... when I was down to the last 10% of the can the color started matching. Before you guys start yelling at me for not shaking it up enough... I shake rattle cans for 20min+ while watching tv before use... and I stop every 30 sec or so while spraying and shake for 10 sec or so... so that WASN'T it.
I needed some frame paint... for my 89.. which has a different color frame than the later 99's.. so I call color-rite back, tell them what happened with the blue.. "no refunds, sorry" okay WTFever.. I need the frame paint.. I have the person check the color codes for an 89 and a 99 to make sure they're different.. yes, he confirms they are different. $56 later I have a can of color and a can of clear. Guess what, the silver is OBVIOUSLY for a 99. WAY too sparkly, and WAY too bright.
In general, I'm fairly disappointed. The paint quality of the silver is excellent... while the blue was defective, and the wrong color.. and the silver is the wrong color. I *suspect* that they show the 89 and 99 frame silvers being the same, and he just 'wanted a sale'. :dunno:
I haven't found color-rite to be an exact factory match. Pretty close, though. I gave up on my 95 looking perfect a long time ago. I would complain that color-rite doesn't even match itself. I ordered two cans of the same color about a year apart, and they don't even match each other. One of them is bluer than the factory color and the other one was greener than the factory color, and they seemed much different than eachother. Next time I do a can paint job I'll probably just do the whole thing in another color rather than trying to color match. Color-rite's paints are good paints, but color matching is too much to ask I guess.
I would see if you can find a local company that does a better job. The no-refund thing is common with paints - and I bet that's often because people don't realize that paint fades with time, and get upset when a new batch doesn't match what's on their car/bike. But if a company is just plain getting a color wrong, go to someone else. I use Wesco locally for color matches, and they get the color right for the code.
Quote from: RoadstergalI would see if you can find a local company that does a better job. The no-refund thing is common with paints - and I bet that's often because people don't realize that paint fades with time, and get upset when a new batch doesn't match what's on their car/bike. But if a company is just plain getting a color wrong, go to someone else. I use Wesco locally for color matches, and they get the color right for the code.
Yeah... I know... which is why I haven't called and complained about the silver... that I can understand (although I don't think they have two different colors.. like he said..) but the blue can was defective.. and he's basically like tough shaZam!..
Quote from: RoadstergalI would see if you can find a local company that does a better job. The no-refund thing is common with paints - and I bet that's often because people don't realize that paint fades with time, and get upset when a new batch doesn't match what's on their car/bike. But if a company is just plain getting a color wrong, go to someone else. I use Wesco locally for color matches, and they get the color right for the code.
But their paint should at least match itself. Used both cans within the same month, I had just bought one from a different batch than the other.
Quote from: conflicttheoristQuote from: RoadstergalI would see if you can find a local company that does a better job. The no-refund thing is common with paints - and I bet that's often because people don't realize that paint fades with time, and get upset when a new batch doesn't match what's on their car/bike. But if a company is just plain getting a color wrong, go to someone else. I use Wesco locally for color matches, and they get the color right for the code.
But their paint should at least match itself. Used both cans within the same month, I had just bought one from a different batch than the other.
I think that they mix them onsite... but you're right... the ratios should be exact... computer distributed into a can, then sealed.. it's not like there's some person squeezing tubes of paint into a can.. I hope.
Quote from: conflicttheoristBut their paint should at least match itself. Used both cans within the same month, I had just bought one from a different batch than the other.
Ja, I agree, and that's what I'm trying to express. The overall no-return policy for paint comes out of people thinking it should match older paint, but a company might also use it if they have a genuine muckup, like paint not matching itself - in which case, give your money to someone else.
Quote from: RoadstergalQuote from: conflicttheoristBut their paint should at least match itself. Used both cans within the same month, I had just bought one from a different batch than the other.
Ja, I agree, and that's what I'm trying to express. The overall no-return policy for paint comes out of people thinking it should match older paint, but a company might also use it if they have a genuine muckup, like paint not matching itself - in which case, give your money to someone else.
I dunno.. I should have learned my lesson with the defective blue... now the silver... grr :x
I used to mix paint for an automotive supply store, It is almost impossible to match a factory color exactly. There are many factors that have to be taken into consideration. Blue paint sparayed over an existing blue will give you a different color then blue sprayed over a primer base. also when mixing, the temperature of the components will effect the tint of the finished product. your best bet is to but your paint in quart/ gallon cans so you have extra for touch up later. Napa sells a Item called a "prevail Spray" it is a small (1 or 1/2 pint ) jar that has an air canister that attaches to the top. it allows you to use mixed paint the same way as a spray can. This is much more expensive then spray bombs but gives a much better shine/finish. the paint will have to be redused just as it would in a professional spray gun, but it well worth the added expense. Make sure that any extra paint is stored properly (correct temps per label). If it freezes or gets to hot the pigments will seperate and never mix back together properly to give a proper color match. also, if you must use spray bombs, store them upside down for at least 24 hours before using, the pigments settle in the bottom of the can during manufactoring and shipping. (thats why the last bit o paint from a can is always darker then the first) no amount of shaking will get them all loose, storing upside down before shaking lets gravity help with the mixing. it also helps to place the can in a warm water bath just before shaking/spraying. this all helps loosen the pigments and thin the paint so it will mix better while shaking
Cheesy is proving what I predicted months ago for the GS. When a bike gets to a certain age and production number, riders gravitate to restoration rather than modification (or for the purist - abomination).
That is why I cannot finish my GS color document too soon. I have taken the color rites codes, decoded them into their English descriptions, and am trying to find pics of bikes and decals to match up with the code combinations.
The only problem in this process is the lack of OEM data. My 2002 Suz streetbike brochure with the GS in it only shows the colors of the bikes, but it doesn't name the colors. :x
ktrim - Great tips by the way! :thumb:
starwalt,
you might try contacting dupont, ppg or a local automotive store (napa, carquest, etc) they usually have manufatorer paint chips for color matching, these usually include the manufactorers name for the color and paint code. The store whereI worked had paint codes and chips for motorcycles and cars going back to the early 1960's
another "trick" that some friends of mine have used on frames for street driven show cars, race car, and bikes is to buy many spray cans of a readily available touchup color, they will then hold then can upside down and spray, this will remove all of the propellant but very little paint. then they cut open the spray can a pour the paint into a quart can and use a prevail or spray gun to spray. this allows them to buy touchup from the same company that manufactored the paint ensuring a closer match. they also have a better chance off having a close match with the "finger nailpolish" type touch up paint
Quote from: starwaltCheesy is proving what I predicted months ago for the GS. When a bike gets to a certain age and production number, riders gravitate to restoration rather than modification (or for the purist - abomination).
That is why I cannot finish my GS color document too soon. I have taken the color rites codes, decoded them into their English descriptions, and am trying to find pics of bikes and decals to match up with the code combinations.
The only problem in this process is the lack of OEM data. My 2002 Suz streetbike brochure with the GS in it only shows the colors of the bikes, but it doesn't name the colors. :x
ktrim - Great tips by the way! :thumb:
ok... I'll partially accept that for my frame. The silver was definetely MUCH brighter than any fading that could happen. Beyond that, it was way too sparkly.. age doesn't erase the flecks in the paint.
However, the blue went onto 2004 fairing. There is no way that the fairing faded SOO much in 1 year. On top of that, why would the last 10% start matching??
Quote from: ktrim
<snip>
Make sure that any extra paint is stored properly (correct temps per label). If it freezes or gets to hot the pigments will seperate and never mix back together properly to give a proper color match. also, if you must use spray bombs, store them upside down for at least 24 hours before using, the pigments settle in the bottom of the can during manufactoring and shipping. (thats why the last bit o paint from a can is always darker then the first) no amount of shaking will get them all loose, storing upside down before shaking lets gravity help with the mixing. it also helps to place the can in a warm water bath just before shaking/spraying. this all helps loosen the pigments and thin the paint so it will mix better while shaking
The only thing I didn't do is put the can in warm water. My garage is a consistent 73 degrees. I rotate my spray cans about one every couple days.
I understand paint isn't a perfect match... however, simply put, I had a bad experience with them. The silver didn't match AT ALL (what's worse, I bet it matches a newer frame almost perfect.. which would mean the guy lied to me about it) and the blue can was defective or not mixed properly from the factory. I have used sprays to touch up cars, boats, and other bikes with NO problems.. why all the sudden these issues show up when I start using color-rite?