Q for the painters: Can I get a decent spray-out sample from spray touch-up paint

[JohnK]

There are a few colors that I'd like to see a sample spray out of before making a color choice. If I know the original manufacturer color code and I were to buy a can of aerosol touch up paint in that color, like this:

https://expresspaint.com/products/silver-gray-for-mercedes-benz-merc-ben-db-180?variant=31804167127118

And some "speed shapes" like these:

https://www.amazon.com/Didspade-Custom-Paint-Additives-Hydrodipping/dp/B084SG1VHW/ref=sr_1_19?crid=1GO7YPEAT0IOE&keywords=paint+spray+out+speed+shapes&qid=1648611009&sprefix=paint+spray+out+speed+shape%2Caps%2C117&sr=8-19

...and I gave it 2-3 coats, would that be a reasonably accurate depiction of that color?

[Jeff Kleiner]

Define “reasonably accurate”. It’s only going to get you “in the neighborhood” and may be close enough to compare one color to another but won’t be dead on. When I do spray outs for customers (which I do for almost every car) I use the same paint and clear through the same gun that will be used for the car.

Jeff

[mrmustang]

As each batch of paint is mixed with several base paint products, all down to 1/10th of a gram in most cases, a simple spray out card out of a touch up can will get you exactly what you paid for. As Jeff has already stated, it may get you close to, but will not be an exact match to what you perceive as the finished product that will get sprayed on your entire car.


Bill S.