Matching paint for 4th gen
- Thread starter Cumby
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JuniorPigeon
New member
I second this. They should be able to make you up a spray can with the paint code.
81runner
New member
Look at the door jam tag that has tire pressure and gross vehicle weight. There should be a 3 character code (titanium metallic is 1D4, for example). Take that to an automotive paint supply. Most of them nowadays can work up a can of single stage paint that matches the code and has the clear coat built in (hence single stage) for about $40. Only catch is it needs to be activated before use and once activated it will harden in about 8 hours so be ready to shoot what you need to and be done
PhantomF4E
New member
I've got a number of areas that need to be touched up mainly on my hood (2006 SR5). If I go through with this, what is the best way to go about it aside from procuring the correct paint that matches. Having never done this before, pardon the ignorant questions, but if I go through with it, I just want to make sure I do it right. I will probably browse YouTube to see if there is anything out there, but figured I'd start here. At the very least, some tips would be appreciated. Thank you all for your time.
(A few of the locations that need to be touched up have some rust. Any extra considerations for that?)
(A few of the locations that need to be touched up have some rust. Any extra considerations for that?)
81runner
New member
So with newer paints like the ones being used on the 4th gens, blending is even more of a pain than before. The way I've done it with success is to sand down the entire panel where the paint is required in order to make a clean even surface, and shoot the whole panel. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but blending a spot into older paint is much harder than just doing some decent prep work and shooting the whole panel.
firebirdguy
Member
be careful with shooting the entire panel.. good chance it wont match the rest of the panels. due to age & sun fade etc, using fresh new paint, even with the same paint code, is not going to match. especially on silvers & metallic colors.
most older cars need to have spot painting blended to look right. i agree with wet sanding the whole panel & even the panel next to it depending on how big the spot repair is, then spray the bad spot & blend/fade it out to the rest of the panel or on to the next panel a little, then you clear the entire panel(s). these 4runners are painted with a base/clear 2 stage paint, not single stage. theres are lots of youtube vids on blending paint.
if youre concerned about doing it right & having good results, dont try it yourself if you dont have experience painting cars. touch ups & small spots are one thing, trying to spot paint large areas like the hood will probably look better than what it is now, but if you want a quality job that matches, take it to a pro. ask around your town for who does good work, doesnt meed to be a big expensive shop, find a smaller shop that will quote you a good price for spot work.
Charlievee
Senior Member
Fyi, i had some good luck with duplicolor perfect match from the box store.
Brutalguyracing
New member
PhantomF4E
New member
Based on the replies, it sounds like I'm out of luck when it comes to doing touch up work. Are small areas using touch up paint that noticeably wrong when using the same color? Is that just because of the natural fading that my vehicle has been through over the years? Is there something I should put onto the areas on the hood to prevent rust from spreading even if this means I don't fill them in with paint?
firebirdguy
Member
each vehicle is different based on how it was stored & the environment, ie, arizona & texas etc will have more sun fade than northern states. but at this age, most all have some degree of fading so most touch up paints will look ok but not a perfect match without blending or fading the spot into the rest of the panel.
can you post a pic of the area youre trying to touch up? you might have good results using a spray touch up & im sure it will look better than what it is now. my post above was just an FYI or heads up that spraying a spot in teh middle of a faded panel doesnt usually match. i have tried to match paint on a car that was repainted 2-3 years ago & even with the same paint code from the same store, it didnt match.... & that was on a solid color, silvers & grays with a flake in them are much harder to do.
try the duplicolor spray touch ups sold at auto parts stores & it should look ok. need to buy their clear too since they are a base/clear.
I've had good luck with these guys in getting some touch paint made up to match my Galactic Grey 4Runner...
Convenient Automotive Scratch & Dent Repair - Colors On Parade
Convenient Automotive Scratch & Dent Repair - Colors On Parade
It was a stupid racist employee. New people are running that Dept now, ladies with knowledge of everything.. still thinking about contacting the Company Head.
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