06 Slate Pearl paint

[VicTxV10]

I want to add a new style hood to my car. I went out Thursday and got a few bids on painting. All the shops want to blend the paint into the fenders. They say they have to do this because of the pearl in the slate color.

So, what do you guys think? Are the paint shops crazy and should I run from them or is this normal practice?

 

[DodgeViper01]

I have heard of blending before for some colors but to be on the safe side I would Chuck Tator. He will put you in contact with a body shop that does almost nothing but Viper work for him. His number is 914-763-3136.

 

[KNG SNKE]

You can never get exact flake distribution if something is painted in different temperatures, pressure, booths. Tons of factors. They blend it in so you can't see if the flakes are slightly closer together or further apart.

It is necessary.

 

[BlknBlu]

You can never get exact flake distribution if something is painted in different temperatures, pressure, booths. Tons of factors. They blend it in so you can't see if the flakes are slightly closer together or further apart.

It is necessary.

Yep, I had the front clip of my Super Bee repainted and they blended for these very reasons.

Bruce

 

[ZO6KLR]

I concur. You will have to blend. Don't do it and see what happens.

 

[1fastviper]

Blend,Blend,Blend!You wont be happy if you do not.

 

[Coloviper]

I went through the same exact delema on my car with the 08 hood I added however there are trade offs. If you ever want your old hood back on the car, then do not blend. Otherwise plan on painting your old hood too and then just blend. You will be okay in either case, just in case.

I lucked out in that the shop that painted my 08 hood GTS Blue Metallic did a great job. In the sunlight, you can not tell the difference, but in the dark shade you can tell the metallic paint is slightly off. I did not blend into the fenders as I wanted the rest of the car to be original and be returned to original if required, but since I only drive my Viper on sunny days, nobody really gets to notice the slightly off color in the dark shade. In fact they matched it so close, that nobody else has been able to notice it is off. Of course I know it is off in certain situations, but you kind of learn to live with it.

Like others have said, it is very hard to match up without blending, but sometimes you can luck out and get close enough not to bother.

Hope that helps. The body shop choice is the hardest choice. If you were in Colorado, I could point you to the shop that did my work and all the work for the Vipers in this part of town. They are very good, but I am sure there are others in Texas just as good. If you do not blend, then as the trade off, match the color to direct sunlight and match to the front fascia NOT the fenders. With the angles on the fenders and the hood, even factory paint on a factory car can appear slightly different fender to hood when really look closely at it. If you match it to the front fascia, then you will have the best trade off when looking at all the view plane angles. That is what they did on mine and it turned out pretty good. Matching hood paint to the fenders paint angles for metallic paint colors, is the wrong move on a Viper, if you are not blending. I know it is a mouthful and probably contadictory in certian ways, but that is what they did on mine without blending and it turned out great. Anyway, good luck.

 

[VicTxV10]

Thanks for the advice. Sounds like blending is a must and if I do this, I will not be able to put the car back to stock for future sale.

 

[Smog Dog]

If you don't want to blend-- and I don't blame you-- call Saleen and ask them if they still have any of the Slate Pearl paint, and if they would paint your hood. You might be surprised. No guarantee of a match, but possibly your best chance, and you will not lose the ability to return your car to stock. The experts may not agree. Saleen is still answering the phone (248) 743-4800. Good luck!

Bill

 

[Coloviper]

Sorry but Good Luck is right. Saleen is sold off the Saleen Mustang and Speedlab parts divisions and what is left is going to be too busy with lawyers to paint a hood.

 

[RavenFan_94]

They blended my blue car and I'm really happy with it.

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Have to blend it.

 

[1fastviper]

Even if you blend will the color still be different because of where your painting on two different materials?

 

[johnk]

I sent my 06 1200 miles back to Woodhouse for an 08 hood (and some other mods). Mark mentioned that Viper Yellow was one of the harder colors to match. The color match is perfect and the stripes line up perfectly. No blending... I'm sure they shot a bunch of test panels...

 

[VicTxV10]

Even if you blend will the color still be different because of where your painting on two different materials?

That is what I'm thinking. I mean, where do you stop the blending? I think this is probably a bad idea and I'll just keep the stock hood.

 

[Smog Dog]

That is what I'm thinking. I mean, where do you stop the blending? I think this is probably a bad idea and I'll just keep the stock hood.

And there is a lot of big metal flake in that color.....not easy.

Bill