Professional Paint Job - New Fender

[bill444]

I've got a damaged 2022 4Runner fender and just bought a new replacement from my dealer. My plan is to bring the fender to a professional to paint it Lunar Rock and install it myself.

For older Toyota trucks, I've been able to find Toyota publications listing specific paint manufacturers and that manufacture's specific color code.

My concern is getting the new fender to match the rest of the truck. Should this be fairly easy in my case? or do I need to track down a specific paint brand, etc?

 

[Too Stroked]

I've got a damaged 2022 4Runner fender and just bought a new replacement from my dealer. My plan is to bring the fender to a professional to paint it Lunar Rock and install it myself.

For older Toyota trucks, I've been able to find Toyota publications listing specific paint manufacturers and that manufacture's specific color code.

My concern is getting the new fender to match the rest of the truck. Should this be fairly easy in my case? or do I need to track down a specific paint brand, etc?

All you need is the Paint Code listed on the sticker on your driver's side door jamb. That's what any body shop would use to determine what color to mix up - no matter what paint system / manufacturer they use.

Will this lead to a perfect match? Generally speaking, yes, but with some qualifiers. Depending on how closely the shop mixes up the (small) batch of paint for your fender, there will be some possible variation in color. Then, depending on how they apply the paint (primer color, pressure, gun type, tip size, distance from the surface, etc.) you'll get some more variation. Generally speaking, "panel painting" and getting an absolutely perfect match is tricky. Many shops will paint the whole side of a vehicle to get a perfect match.

 

[fkheath]

I've got a damaged 2022 4Runner fender and just bought a new replacement from my dealer. My plan is to bring the fender to a professional to paint it Lunar Rock and install it myself.

For older Toyota trucks, I've been able to find Toyota publications listing specific paint manufacturers and that manufacture's specific color code.

My concern is getting the new fender to match the rest of the truck. Should this be fairly easy in my case? or do I need to track down a specific paint brand, etc?

Back in December, a pickup slid on the ice into the side of my 4Runner, damaging the front fender, drivers door, and various small things in the area (fender liner, mud flaps, etc).

I took it to a body shop I have used for years, and they replaced everything with new OEM parts, including a new fender and door shell. They painted everything with the original color, including the inside of the new door shell. They even "blended" the paint on the drivers door with the existing paint on the passenger door behind it. Bottom line, you can't tell that there ever was any damage.

I think the key is a really good body shop. Good ones will have a long guarantee on the work they do, including fading and color mismatch.

When replacing a fender, be aware that the plastic clips that mount the fender liners, mud flaps, and trim will be brittle with age and will break. Best to be prepared with new clips such as these: Amazon.com

Rexka makes good high quality clips of all types and sizes. Just for the fender and fender liner, there are three or four different types, so be sure to get the right ones. (I had to replace a fender liner last year when it got ripped by a snow bank off roading in Colorado.)

 

[bill444]

Thanks for the info everyone.

I didn't think about the mixing process resulting in different shades.

I was originally thinking of just bringing the fender to them but it sounds like having the old fender would help them match it... and doing it on the car would be best.

 

[fkheath]

and doing it on the car would be best.

As I said above, my body shop painted the inside and all the visible surfaces of the new door before transferring all the hardware to the new shell. Same for a fender. Paint it first, otherwise you will see all the fasteners painted over if it is attached to the car.