Why matching paint is harder than it sounds
Your vehicle has a paint code, but the same code can look slightly different from one vehicle to the next. Factory batches vary, and sun, weather and age change how paint looks over time. Metallic and pearl finishes add another layer, because the flakes in the paint have to sit the same way as the original. Our guide on how body shops match paint goes into the detail.
How the shop matches your colour
- Read the colour. Computerized colour matching checks the actual paint on your vehicle, not just the code on the door jamb.
- Mix and test. The paint is mixed and sprayed on a test card to compare against the vehicle.
- Blend. The new colour is often blended into the panels next to the repair so there's no hard line.
- Clear coat and finish. The work is sprayed in a downdraft paint booth, then clear coated so it holds up to Alberta weather.
What Fix Auto Sherwood North does in house
- Paint refinishing after collision repair
- Complete panel refinishing
- Spot repairs for small areas
- Paint scratch repair
- Clear coat repair
- Colour matching technology for an even blend
Clear coat damage and fading
Clear coat that's peeling, cloudy or chalky lets the colour underneath fade. Small areas can sometimes be spot repaired, while bigger areas need the panel refinished. If bare metal is showing, get it looked at before winter, because road salt speeds up rust.
Scratches
Not every scratch needs new paint. Light marks in the clear coat can often be polished out, while scratches through to primer or metal need a spot repair or refinishing. See our dent and scratch repair page and the scratch and scuff guide.
Parts and paint
If panels are replaced, ask whether they're OEM or aftermarket. Fit affects how the paint lines up at the gaps. Our OEM vs aftermarket parts guide explains the difference.
For a free written estimate on paint work, call Fix Auto Sherwood North at (780) 416-3158, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.