Paintscratch.com... Anybody used it?

[jynx]

I am trying to figure out a way to get my new bumper and I really want to have it painted to match the cladding on my 4Runner.

I can order a pint from any local shop, but I don't have a way to spray it... So I did a little searching and found this:

http://www.paintscratch.com/touch_u...y-Metallic-Clearcoat-(Also-Cladding)-156.html

And can order a can of spray paint from them. It is a little pricey, but it would save me some hassle in moving it around and such. I just wondered before I placed an order to see if anyone had ever ordered anything from them.

I appreciate it. Thanks,

Matthew

 

[jynx]

I guess not. i emailed them to ask a couple questions so I will see what they get back to me with.

 

[PAToyota]

Local shops can usually put the paint in a spray can for you - some NAPA stores can even do it.

 

[jynx]

Apparently not too many takers on that around here. I have talked to a number of folks and I found one parts store that could, but could only do a single stage, and he was worried about their older hand pump pressurization system. There may be some others, but I haven't had much luck. If anyone knows someone in middle TN, I am open.

I am also trying to research primers for use under this type of system. That is part of what I have asked them about. I know I could take it and have it done, but I like being able to do it myself. If I had a proper compressor I would buy a gun and a pint, but that is not on the table currently.

 

[jynx]

Well, I will let everyone know how their products turn out. I got some email feedback and ended up just ordering a full system from them, primer/base/clear.

I will post up some pictures and feedback once I get everything.

 

[jynx]

Order Arrived Today

Well, I got my order today and I opened the box to check everything and I want to pass along a couple of insights for anyone who is thinking about using them.

I corresponded with them some before I placed my order to make sure that I got a system on my bumper that wouldn't lift and after some discussion I went ahead and ordered the primer/ base and clear all from them, thinking that they would be sending me some specialty primer and clear that was specific to their paint.... WRONG. I got a can of Dupli-color Filler Primer and a can of Dupli-color Lacquer Clear along with my custom mixed paint cans.

Needless to say I am not very happy that I paid almost double (triple on the clear) what I could have for these 2 cans of primer and 2 cans of clear, and will be letting them know. Also, the primer cans are actually smaller than advertised, strike 2.

I sure hope the color match on the paint is D@M^ good, otherwise I am going to have a come to Jesus Meeting with somebody.

I wouldn't be so aggravated if I hadn't contacted them and specifically asked about off the shelf rattle can primers and clears to make sure I got a good system. I had Rustoleum filler primer at home and was concerned that it might cause lift. I even asked about SEM products, and they said their primer was designed to work with their paint....

Anyway, I will report back on the color match, but as far as the other, don't buy anything else from them. They use Duplicolor primers and clear....

 

[PAToyota]

Yeah, I'd be pissed.

Now I'm curious as to what the paint actually is. If I go to my local paint shop, I can basically select anything they carry and have them load it into a can. They use PPG for the most part, but also have House of Kolor, SEM, UPol, etc.

 

[jynx]

Yeah, the more I stew on it the more aggravated I get.

I emailed them and he basically said anything that isn't opened, except the custom paint can be returned. I went to the local parts store and got two cans of the exact same primer for $15, I paid $13.50 a can on paintscratch.... I got on Summit racing and ordered 3 cans of the clear for $20 shipped, charged $15.25 per can + shipping on paintscratch...

I have already asked to return the 4 cans I got from them, even if the return shipping costs me a little i will still come out ahead. I know they probably don't care, no skin off their back, right. It is just the hassle of the whole ordeal that is aggravating.

With tax and everything vs. their pricing, I will get back, that's right get back enough to buy all 4 cans again if I want to.

I told the guy that if their pricing had been 1.5 times as much, that I could have lived with, but to pay more than 2.5 times more, plus their shipping, not cool.

That said, if the paint matches then I will at least know where to get that at, which at $25 per can seems to be in line with what I was quoted at the only local place i could find that could do it.

Lesson learned.

I am also curious what your guys can do. The one place I found local could only do a single stage in their cans and it was a Dupont I think. They could do a sprayable pint in a couple brands, but only the Dupont in the cans. The guy was straight with me and said their machine was old and that he would worry about how good a metallic would do in the single stage with their hand pump.

The biggest bummer is that now I have to wait for the clear to get here before I can finish it up, but at this point it is the principal of the matter to me. I guess I am just getting to be an old A-hole

 

[PAToyota]

Well, obviously, they can't put anything with a hardener into a spray can, but metallics aren't a problem.

I'm not sure if you're mixing terminology here. When I think of "single stage" paints, I'm typically thinking enamel or lacquer - as opposed to a base-coat/clear-coat "two stage" paint. Then you have 1K and 2K paints - which can be either single or two stage paints. 1K is single component while 2K has two components - the paint plus a hardener, activator, or catalyst.

The setup you have is a 1K two-stage setup - one component in each, but separate base coat and clear coat.

In comparison, you can have a 2K single stage enamel where you mix in a hardener, spray, but then that is it - no clear coat over the top.

 

[jynx]

Well that is entirely possible. I am very new to the paint scene. I am just regurgitating what the guy told me.

 

[PAToyota]

I do tend to hear people say "single stage" when they mean "1K." Perhaps "1C" or "2C" would have been a better term for "one component" or "two component" paint. As I said, it can get confusing.

I have seen some 2K spray can products coming onto the market. Eastwood has a few: http://www.eastwood.com/paints/2k-aero-spray-paints.html

It basically has two containers in the can and before using, you break the seal between them and mix the two together. Of course, you then have to use the entire spray can or it will harden in the can.

It really is nice to have the option of a spray gun. Even the HF cheapies can do a half decent job. As you say, you need a compressor. But even a small 10 to 20 gallon compressor ($100 to $200) can be made to work - particularly if you aren't trying to spray an entire car at once.