Paint Matching for Aero Parts

I've got some aero kit parts on my 996 that color match ok, but in some light conditions they look like a slightly different shade. This was done by the best Porsche body shop in town, so I'm wondering if its possible to ever get a perfect paint match on Arctic Silver. I've seen some examples on the road where the color match is pretty far off and it seems most obvious on the front bumper cover. Anyone have any thoughts on whether it is possible to ever get a perfect color match, or do you just have to get lucky, or is there some way way short of painting the whole car to be assured of an invisible color match in any light?

hey Jeff, im in the same boat. My '00 artic silver 996 cab is getting the front aero bumper and skirts painted tomorrow @ my boy's shop. He says the best way to match would be to blend the panels. If done right, the clear coat should make it look seamless. Although this process is obviously more expensive than if u were to paint just the parts by themselves. Can you post pics? maybe other boarders can see and share their opinions. I pick up the car Saturday morning and will post pics. He's not blending my parts, but i hope i'll be happy with the results nonetheless.

As some other members have said in previous posts, original porsche paint has an orange hue to it, which would be hard to duplicate.

It is important, especially light metalics, to lay down the paint in the proper drriection so it does not appear darker than the existing paint. Some shops have no problem doing this, while other have to repaint several times before getting it right. Here is before and after. 1st one appeared too light at certain angles. Metalics will appear different shades at different angles. You need to make sure the paint is layed so the primary angles observed appear to match.

And that is why someone might prefer to buy an original aero car vs. putting the parts on after the fact!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck guys, I'm sure it can be done right. It just proves my point on another thread about finding the right car with the parts already in place. If that is what you want.............

Go to any Porsche lot and look at the light colored cars. Many of them (painted at the factory) have bumpers that appear to be a different shade.

By the way. The lip on my front spoiler was painted using a spray can of paint from Menards and buffed and waxed. Now I don't mind it getting beat up as much in the future.

911, got the lip too, probably gonna leave it black, but like the way yours looks.

Bumpers require a flex additave in the paint so that the paint is more flexible, which could effect the color shade. The "orange" peolpe refer to is orange peal texture not an orange tint. Metallics and pearls are very difficult to match exactly every time you paint they come out a little different as there is an additional step to get the pearl or metallic effect. Color match should be no problem with non metallic or pearl paints. Just my $.02 . Just had aero added to my ocean blue '99 perfect match.

guys, my bodyshop just called cuz i wanted them to cut out the center scoop that came sealed. They wer concerned that it would expose some metal and didnt look too hot. Is there a different plastic molding i need to order to put behind the center scoop?

Unless your putting in a 3rd radiator why would you cut it out? Did you end up getting your stuff from Dayton?

yeah, thru dayton. fits nicely. had them cut out because i saw a lot of the aeros, even the official techquipment pics, with it cut out...maybe it was just airbrushing. i thought it'd look weird with it still there. oh well... i'll see tomorrow.

jb, got pics?

In the picture of my 996 above, I do not have the black plastic molding installed for the center scoop cut out. You can't tell. one way or the other.

cool, glad to hear it, though having that radiator in the center does look nice in the bottom pic.