Water based paint vs conventional paint

Hi I unfortunately need a new front bumper. I have managed to track one down which I am assured is in perfect condition and in black. However the breaker is telling me it may not match as Porsche did multiple versions of black. I have taken a look at the paint code list on renntech (http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?autocom=content&code=colors_carrera), and it seems there were only two metallic blacks on pre-facelift Carrera's, being 744 and 746. Mine is 744. It says that 744 is water based, while 746 is "conventional paint" which I assume means oil based paint. So my question is, were oil based paints still allowed on a UK car at the time of the 996, or can I safely assume that all UK cars in metallic black would have used the water based version 744? Cheers Greg

I can't say for sure, but would have thought that all UK cars would have been painted in the same way at that time. I would also have thought that one painted with a 2-pack paint would match a water-based paint. When I had my PU re-painted on my C2 it was done with a conventional 2-pack, and it matched fine. It is also highly likely that it has been repainted in that time, and who knows what with. There was a solid black - you don't think the breaker meant that, do you? And for PCGB members, that information is also available at: http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=230691 [ ] [ ]

Hi Richard, He only said "multiple versions of black", so I have gone back to him already asking him to confirm that the bumper is metallic black (which is what I asked for). Waiting for a response. I am thinking the same as you, that they are all likely to have been done in the same version of metallic black, but I guess you never know. Thanks Greg

Greg, The issue of water-based or solvent-based paint is one of health and safety at the point of application - it's got nothing to do with the final destination of the car. In this country the law has become very intransigent over recent years such that solvent-based paints are virtually impossible to get unless you can claim required originality of a classic vehicle. My car was repainted 3 years ago with solvent-based paint and some recent work done a month ago had to be done with water-based as the bodyshop were not allowed to buy the solvent-based paint that was used 3 years ago. There are many different blacks used by Porsche, both solid and metallic, and without the paint code you have no chance of ensuring a match. L744 and L746 are both Black Metallic - and neither are water-based. Regards Dave

Not disputing what you say in general, but for Greg's model, there was only one metallic black, and L744 is quoted as water based in the workshop manual for the 996. Unless it was a special order, of course. Basalt was introduced for the facelift in 2002.

Yes, Richard, I apologise. I checked my source and although 744 was solvent-based in the early 90's it changed to water-based for the 996 series. I'll make a mental note to double check next time!!! Regards Dave

It's the introduction of these new-fangled water-cooled things where it all went wrong. [ ] At least I've got a 964 crankcase casting in mine to remind me of those days! [ ]