U3 paint code - 2007 vs. 2008?

[daeuco]

I have an '07 convertible in U3 Grabber Orange. I recently ordered a hood scoop pre-painted to match (supposedly). When it arrived, it was a slightly different shade than the car. I called the seller and was told that the 2008 version is, in fact, a slightly different shade, and that they had had a few customers with '07s painted in that different shade.
Had anyone heard of that, or were they just blowing smoke?
They did take the scoop back and refund my money.

 

[Art161]

I have never heard of using the same paint code for different colors.

I have heard of a color being called something one year and the same thing the next year, but the code is different, as is the color. For example, Performance White code WP is a different color from Performance White code HP.

 

[daeuco]

I have never heard of using the same paint code for different colors.

I have heard of a color being called something one year and the same thing the next year, but the code is different, as is the color. For example, Performance White code WP is a different color from Performance White code HP.

Yeah. I wondering if Ford had a batch of paint mixed, that was mixed incorrectly?

 

[lightblade]

I've heard of this happening before. They might have tried to cut cornes and custom match the color themselves with a clear coat, where as the stock u3 ford paint is 2 part with no clear coat. Maybe thats why it looks off. Definetly did not tdo a different shade between years thats bs. I would prefer the color with clear coat though because fords 2 part paints are weak and more prone to chips and peeling.

 

[autumn_again]

I've heard of this happening before. They might have tried to cut cornes and custom match the color themselves with a clear coat, where as the stock u3 ford paint is 2 part with no clear coat. Maybe thats why it looks off. Definetly did not tdo a different shade between years thats bs. I would prefer the color with clear coat though because fords 2 part paints are weak and more prone to chips and peeling.

if you ever go up to a body shop and if they use a computer to get the equation to mix paint, ask them to pull up a color for you. i haven't looked up grabber orange at
work, but every color we have looked at, has different varations, be it year, model, etc.

the problem is, theres variations of the color, you'll find grabber orange same year as yours, that has a slightly different hue to it.

when we're painting a part at work. we usually have 3-4 variations of the same exact paint code and everything, and we'll go up to the car, and pick the best one to colormatch. sometimes even those spray outs don't match that well. so we'll tint the color to alter it enough to match the car.


i don't see why ford paint gets so bashed, look at a 94 chevy red, and a 94 ford red. light years difference. the chevy is alot more faded and looks washed out, my 94 stang had alot of life left in the paint. aside from where it was repainted really sh:tty.

daeuco go to a ford dealership and ask them to check the match of your paint vs their color chip. thats probably what the place you got the scoop from based their
color off of, so it might compare perfect to the chip, but the chip is different to the rest of your car.

i compared the chip to my vista blue, the chip is way too purple, as are my louvers and side scoops which were painted by a shop who went by the color chip.
its not extremely noticeable, but to someone whos very into the small details it stands out like a sore thumb.

 

[stangdude2000]

Another possibility - general fade of the paint. Paint will fade as the car gets older, especially if stored outdoors. It is a possibility that this is what happened on yours as well.