Issue paint matching Desert Dune

[absalom]

So I've decided to start building my sport hood but I have run into a big issue so far. I have paint code 1A5 -- Desert Dune. I was told that if they were to paint my new hood it would not match the factory fenders. The guy went so far as to say it would look "night and day" and it would look as tho "you had stolen the hood from a different car".

He did say he could blend the fenders to match. Of course that gets me a nice quote of nearly $1,100. My question is ... has anyone successfully color matched Desert Dune? If so, how? Is this guy messing with me? I'd like a sport hood, but not for that outrageous price!

 

[4-Ripcord]

Its because of fading due to sunlight and oxidation. A brand new coat of desert dune will look way different than a 12 years old coat .. gotta blend it if you want it to match up

 

[AZ4FNER]

Why don't you have him mix you up a small can of Desert Dune 1A5 and try it out on something. Then you can compare it to your fenders...etc, and decide for yourself.

Or, ask him to paint something laying around and pay him a nominal fee, compared to the $1,100 investment.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Definitely a tough color to match. I'm pretty picky when it comes to this stuff so I would plan on blending it to make it a match.

 

[shadow247]

That seems pretty high even with them doing all of the prep work and putting the hood on. I just wrote up an estimate in my system here at work at it came to 736.82
This estimate includes removing the flares, park lamps, and fender liners. It also includes new clips for the flares. I have attached a copy to the post below that shows you what my shop would be charging to do the job. This assumes you are providing a clean hood that does not need any dents or damage repaired.

 

[sn0wrunner]

I just used a local paint shop when I painted my sport hood. Gave them the paint code and I think it turned out pretty good. They made up a pint for $36. (Had a friend of a friend actually paint it). If you look really closely you can see a difference. But if you don't know to look for it, its hard to see. I'm not really picky about this sort of thing, but I could see how it could really frustrate someone.

Unfortunately I do not have any really good pictures that show the fender/hood comparison.

(How not to take a picture)

EDIT:

Found another one on my phone right after I put the hood on and before the bug guard was back on

 

[absalom]

Its because of fading due to sunlight and oxidation. A brand new coat of desert dune will look way different than a 12 years old coat .. gotta blend it if you want it to match up

Negative, he said the way the metallic flakes show up is different then how Toyota OEM silver and tan-ish colors appear regardless of age.


I think I will just forgo blending and try it out anyways. Thanks all!

 

[shadow247]

I'd print out the estimate I gave you above and take it to him. The price he is quoting you is pretty outrageous to blend then fenders. Worst case though is the hood doesn't quite match and you take it back later to have the fenders blended. If you pull the flares, lights, and fender liners yourself that will save you a few bucks on labor.

 

[Brilliant]

Negative, he said the way the metallic flakes show up is different then how Toyota OEM silver and tan-ish colors appear regardless of age.


I think I will just forgo blending and try it out anyways. Thanks all!

Yep, has to do with metallics/pearls, gotta blend them into the adjacent panel and is true for any metallic/pearl.

 

[Runnah]

I know it's an ooold thread but...

I have a 1996 4WD 6cyl with desert dune metallic (1A5). I am looking to swaps some doors and fenders and hood off a 1998 2WD 4cyl. The issue I am concerned with is that on a vin search on the Toyota owner spec page mine has on the "factory installed equipment" list one that says PX Metallic Paint. The donor truck does not have that on the list but they both list the same exterior paint name and code, Desert Dune Metallic (1A5). The donor is a 6 hour drive so I can't compare unless I make the drive. Does anybody know if that PX Metallic Paint item is just a redundancy term that Toyota did away with in later models? Thanks for any input.

 

[T4R2014]

I haven't seen a non-metallic desert dune. It is hard to made. One of my 4Runners has a repainted rear quarter that they just couldn't get perfect due to fade. On the bright side the factory clear coat on this color is tough!

 

[phattyduck]

I know it's an ooold thread but...

I have a 1996 4WD 6cyl with desert dune metallic (1A5). I am looking to swaps some doors and fenders and hood off a 1998 2WD 4cyl. The issue I am concerned with is that on a vin search on the Toyota owner spec page mine has on the "factory installed equipment" list one that says PX Metallic Paint. The donor truck does not have that on the list but they both list the same exterior paint name and code, Desert Dune Metallic (1A5). The donor is a 6 hour drive so I can't compare unless I make the drive. Does anybody know if that PX Metallic Paint item is just a redundancy term that Toyota did away with in later models? Thanks for any input.

It *should* be the same color. You can't control fading, etc. though. Or if the truck was repainted...

-Charlie

 

[kolelt]

To properly paint it. You’d have to pain the hood and fenders to blend it in.

 

[96RedRunner]

If it's oringinal paint it will be close due to fading and such. You might have to accept a slight difference. Sometimes a cut n buff will get color near perfect.

 

[Cycleandsurf]

I'm prepping to paint up a replacement driver-side fender myself. All other panels are fine. Found some decent 1A5 paint options. If it's that bad for the dune color, I'm not sure how to proceed.

Is it actually night and day?

 

[RodrickHeffley]

I need to fix some rust on my drivers fender and tailgate. I was gonna sand it down and repaint it, but the only paint I can find is touch up paint. Is there some in a larger quantity? or how can i find some?

 

[PRG3K]

Exact-Match Car Paint | Premium Automotive Paint for Flawless Results | Easy-to-Use Auto Paint | Truck and Car Touch-Up Paint | AutomotiveTouchup

They have Desert Dune. They'll formulate it into a 12oz aerosol can if you want so you can buy several and have enough to cover large areas. I used their cans to paint my faded silver cladding and flares from silver to Desert Dune to match the rest of the body. 100% spot on color match, I was amazed actually since no one really makes that color any more and they just sent out the cans after inputting the color code. They also sell 2K clear coat, which, when I found out what it was, is all I will ever use for clear coat.

 

[varol1]

Exact-Match Car Paint | Premium Automotive Paint for Flawless Results | Easy-to-Use Auto Paint | Truck and Car Touch-Up Paint | AutomotiveTouchup

They have Desert Dune. They'll formulate it into a 12oz aerosol can if you want so you can buy several and have enough to cover large areas. I used their cans to paint my faded silver cladding and flares from silver to Desert Dune to match the rest of the body. 100% spot on color match, I was amazed actually since no one really makes that color any more and they just sent out the cans after inputting the color code. They also sell 2K clear coat, which, when I found out what it was, is all I will ever use for clear coat.

Thanks for this. Do you have any pics? Could you share how many cans of primer, basecoat and clearcoat you ended up using? I'd love to do this as well - I have the dual-color look and am not a fan at all (not my truck, btw).

 

[thundercloud01]

yeah I think this is as good as it's going to get.. looks great IMO

 

[varol1]

yeah I think this is as good as it's going to get.. looks great IMO

Not sure if you read my post - that's a reference photo off Google of how my truck looks right now (before any paintwork).