Right chaps.

Just got hold of a Green (british racing) Wagon. Has had a bad repair done on the bumpers (sprayed on to smooth un keyed paint), N/R door and N/S rear quarter (different shade and rub marks). I've had a couple of quotes for a decent job and both were around the £1000 mark. Would it be just as easy to get some second hand bumpers and rear door? How much variation is there in paint shade car to car? Chances of finding decent said parts in right colour?

Just an idea and thought I'd ask.

Cheers.

 

Looks like there were 4 shades of green for the Classics:-

Subaru Paint Codes

Check your Wagon's "Color Code" on the VIN plate for the correct 3-digit paint code and post it... then hopefully others on here will tell you if its very close - or not at all! - to the other greens...

 

Looks like Green Mica

 

I would replace, its far easier not to mention cheaper.

I changed two front wings on mine (mica black) and you wouldnt even tell. Not a bad job for £100.

 

i changed a rear door 262 silver and you can hardly tell.

 

dj, are you saying 262 (my car's colour) is, for all intents and purposes, the same as 406 silver then (I'd llike to know for future ref...)

 

no that not what im saying. i think you would spot that. i swapped a 262 for a 262.

 

you can have the one code say 262,yet that colour could have several different shades of that same colour,it isnt somthing that is on the vin plate either,you wouldnt know untill mixing the paint or ordering it,nightfire red (rover colour)has about 6 shades,crazy.hth

 

Really? Didn't know that.

 

Yeah I had the same problem with Tungsten Grey. 7 types of that.

So the chances of finding a matching door?

 

I have a flat red, my ex keyed one side had a respray looked awful as red fades, there are several variations and had been repaired previously, ended up with a full respray as it was just about impossible to get a match. A 1000 for good job is a decent price if you have the money I think there is only one answer.

 

yup,it seems subaru in their wisdom made several shades of the same colour.

mine is 230 white,there are 3 variants on this 1 colour !!!

but,saying that,if you view the green door or bumper before buying theres no problems and id replace rather than respray,alot cheaper

 

Actual comparing in the flesh is the only way to go.

Not content with diff. shades of the same paint code , you also have the possible diff. between newer and older, more faded paint . Nightmare!

 

i work in a bodyshop in bham and colour is the main problem we get,some customers think you grab a tin of paint thats their colour and you paint the panel that needs painting,little do they realise that you always have to blend the surrounding panels,cars are painted very differently in factory and they most likely had millions spent on the set up,so thats why paintwork is exspensive if you want a good job,is also very labour intensive.

 

Sure.

Do you still employ 'feathering' techniques to help make newly painted panels blend in to surrounding original panels? Or is that considered 'wrong' these days?

 

most cars now are basecoat and lackquered so if panel after the one you have blended is dull then it mostly needs a quick flat with ultrafine 2000 grit paper and mop and polish.its only the solid reds that (sometimes)are not lackquered that will fade as the sun bleaches it,its the lackquer that will give the shine and also protect if from the elaments.

 

you also get different quality materials which affects the finish and how long it stays SHINY lol.