Ordering Paint - is this true?

Here is a cut down version of the email string to a paint supplier...

Can you mix up some paint for me using the following details:
Make: Suzuki motorbike
Model: SV650
Year: 2011
Colour Name: Glass Splash White
Colour code: YBD

The last colour you sent me last time is not the same colour as my bike.

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If you were to order YBD again, we would send you the same colour as previously. I am afraid that 3-stage colours like this are particularly difficult for even a professional sprayer to match to. This is because you need to apply just the right amount of the semi-transparent mid coat in order to get the correct shade/flop (metallic effect).

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Thank you for replying, is there not a different mix? As I was sent Pearl White, and my bike colour is Glass Splash White?

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No, it is common for names of colours to vary depending on who you speak to. As long as the code is the same, it will be the same colour.

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END
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3 stage....

It's basecoat, white colour, metallic specks, then clearcoat.

The white I was sent is clearly the wrong colour it's more creamy than white...

Are they trying to fob me off as they can't get the colour match? or is what he saying correct?

I could probably get a better match from Halfords!

thanks

I had the same issue with getting some fairings resprayed by a professional garage.
Took them 3 attempts, and even then it wasn't perfect.

ok then, well i've ordered more paint now trying again... if it still looks pants, will plastic spray the whole bike in suzuki cresent blue (the plastic spray that you can peel off...)

He's right,
Even suzuki cant paint match their own paint.
Tom and I looked into all this with his bike requiring a touch up. Very very few places will even attempt to match it, those who were willing to do the painting did warn us the difference may be visible. It worked out only mildly more expensive to repaint the whole bike than it did to touch up the tank. In the end a replacement tank was sourced.

so silly!!!! really in this day n age....

[andrewsmith]

No two batches of the same colour are the same, there is too many factors (Pigment quality, quality of the base etc...) and Pearl paints make it even harder.

No two whites are the same, but its so minute the human eye can't see it. Colours is different, I've had it with panel resprays. All done in Suzuki Y9H (Pearl Canyon Yellow) and they were the same colour, different hues.
Its better when you get a new bike and the Mudgaurd is one colour, rear panels another and the Factory seat cowl is different again. Which is down to the production process (each production factory sprays the parts ready for the lines)

[Wideboy]

This is why you can't blow in damaged panels, unless it's a flat colour as I've managed to do it.

[Bibio]

i suspect your using rattle cans?

you wont get an exact match unless you have a full spray booth with mixing facility's at hand and are very very good at your job.

there are slight differences in shade/tone on the panels of the SV even from the factory and this is due to paint batch.

where did you get the paint made up?

yes noticed that the nose cone is different to the fairing lowers.... the rear seems to be the same colour.

the seat cowl I sprayed is different tho... and I am reasonably good at spraying, finishing etc...

yes using rattle cans, so appreciate that the finish might not be the same but the white should be, and appreciate that I might not get the pearl metallic colour right but would have expected the white to be a lot closer than it actually is... would like a full spray kit, just can't warrant spending on a full compressor / spray kit, plus there is then storage of it, but should I come to do more than just touch ups I will go the whole hog!

got paint from paints4u dot com... reasonable price for the kit, base, flat colour and clear coat, with papers and rubbing compound.

next day delivery too.