Identifying colour code of panels

[LukeW]

I’m looking to find out the colour code for my gloss black panels (rear arches)

i have found this picture from the inside of the panel but appears the colour code is missing.

 

Before I chase Westfield to see if they can shed any light on it I thought I’d ask the question on here? 

Age of the car is 2013

Any help welcome 

Thanks

Luke

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

That's because there isn't one, I'm afraid.

 

There isn't a set RAL code or any other consistent identifier between the different colours used, beyond the name; which depending on the supplier used at the time, might be slightly different to a different suppliers work.

 

Westfield do sell small pots of gel coat for small area repairs, black isn't too bad normally with just the standard tub. However, if you speak with parts, and have a reasonable size piece of bodywork you can send them as a sample, then they may well be able to get it colour matched for you - obviously this does take a bit longer. The results can be superb, though.

[LukeW]

I guess a body shop should be able to match the colour too? Or is it best to repair with gelcoat rather than spraying?

[Westfield Chesil Limited]

We can get a close match but not exact unfortunately. As Dave highlighted, each supplier mixes the gel coat different, resulting in different variants of the same colour.

 

Almost all customers are satisfied with the gelcoat replacement panels / gelcoat tubs.

 

I have black in stock, ready for dispatch, if required.

 

Patrick

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

9 hours ago, LukeW said:

I guess a body shop should be able to match the colour too? Or is it best to repair with gelcoat rather than spraying?

you can get some fantastic results with paint, in terms of match - though I’ve noticed some GRP colours “match” better than others; I wonder if it’s down to the differences in medium between grp/pigment and paints.

 

Ive had a local paint supplier with one of those colour analyser scanners mix some great colour matched paints up over the years, though I’ve not tried them with a GRP part yet.

 

On the other hand, as mentioned before, I needed to loan them quite a big part to match too, (I seem to recall something at least the equivalent of 6” square being asked for), but Westfield achieved wonders matching my electric blue up, last year.

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

One thing I would say with paint, though I may be mistaken, and simply haven’t seen really good GRP paintwork up close,  is that gut reaction from the jobs I have seen in person, is that once you start, if you want to maintain a high quality finish, you’re committing yourself to periodically getting it refreshed. It just hasn’t lasted as long as a painted metal car would, without chipping and marking sufficiently for corrective work to be needed to avoid looking tatty.

 

However, I HAVENT seen the work of people like @Marto303 in person - his paint jobs on GRP look amazing - he’s where I’d be heading if I needed one painting.