where to buy car paint?

[stripped fred]

I need to get some mica blue paint for my mr2. Do I brave halfords or are there any other places in Leicester or online who supply paint that is likely to match? It's in an area that is mostly covered by the side skirt so not too essential but I also have a couple of other small areas to do.

[Formula Autos]

I've had Halfords mix me up a couple of rattle cans and they've been a good enough match for door bottoms and shuts. £16 for a 300ml ish aerosol, which for small repairs isn't too bad. Buying in bulk would no doubt be way cheaper per ml, but I didn't need much paint. They are EXTREMELY careful in how they mix/weigh it, pleasingly.

 

I also got a trigger thingy from the pound shop that clips onto the top of the can, which made it far easier to use, and stopped me getting paint on the end of my finger. I wouldn't do an outside panel with this gear, but for areas that won't get close attention, it seems to work out OK if you're careful and prep the job correctly.

 

All done outside on my driveway, too. Though I did wet down the drive first, to stop dust blowing about into the wet paint, and tried to choose a day that was warm and not windy. Oh which there are about three per calendar year where I live.

[vulgalour]

If you're just blending small areas the Halfords stuff does seem a really good match these days so they get another vote from me.  I've had successful matches to white on the BX, a different white on the Xantia, the metallic blue on the Corsa and even what's left of the original beige on the Princess.  The Mr2 should be no bother.

[stripped fred]

That's great. Not often you get a vote of approval for Halfords but sounds like it will do for me on this occasion. Cheers

[oldcars]

This is where i got paint for the Shuma https://www.paints4u.com/

 

Was very good.

[Al Bundy]

Central car paints in Leicester mate(st mathews)can usually mix any colour

[stripped fred]

Thanks, now I'm spoilt for choice!

[320touring]

Can second paints4u

[fordperv]

when i needed paint for the sideskirts on my escort i popped to a local place with the car and they matched the colour and made a couple of aerosols, it looked great

[Keymaster]

Be careful with Toyota mica blue, there are a few variations of it & I've seen mk1 mr2s end up with purple arches as a result!

 

If you can, find an independent paint mixing place & take your fuel lid in with you so they can match it.

[MarvinsMom]

dunno about leicester but we have a really good, old school paint spot in pickering.

 

you give them the paint code and they mix it up while you wait, seemingly by magic.

 

and its a damn good match too, well the stuff we have had has been anyway.

 

sadly i cannot remember what it is called, well not just now anyway!

[MarvinsMom]

been on google earth and its Parrys Motor Parts.

 

dunno if its a chain or not.

[D Spares & Tyres]

Are Autopaints still in Leicester?

 

If so then they are sure to be the cheapest.

[Parky]

Surely the Autoshite way would be one white and one blue tin of Humbrol enamel paint from the model shop, a matchstick, and a straggly half inch brush that's been sitting in turps in the shed for two years?

[stripped fred]

Be careful with Toyota mica blue, there are a few variations of it & I've seen mk1 mr2s end up with purple arches as a result!

 

If you can, find an independent paint mixing place & take your fuel lid in with you so they can match it.

I have a tin of paint from 5 years ago. It looks nothing like the other paintwork but instead gives it a nice purple tint. Must be a difficult colour to match?

[stripped fred]

Surely the Autoshite way would be one white and one blue tin of Humbrol enamel paint from the model shop, a matchstick, and a straggly half inch brush that's been sitting in turps in the shed for two years?

I try to do this car properly. Not after showroom condition or spending a fortune but want to keep the reasonably good paintwork looking OK. I might try the other 'technique' with my £250 brown astra shiter though when I tackle it's crusty wheelarches!

[Keymaster]

I guess so... either that or the mixture data some paint schemes use for the colour isnt up to the job. Factor in 25 years of sunbleaching and you're on a hiding to nothing trying to match it off the shelf.

[rainagain]

Having worked there myself, the only problem with Halfords paint is if the person mixing doesn't give a toss. I always made sure my mixes were spot on but some of the people I worked with didn't care less. One poor punter bought two spray cans to paint his quad lights for his sierra and they both came out different colours!

[D Spares & Tyres]

I have a tin of paint from 5 years ago. It looks nothing like the other paintwork but instead gives it a nice purple tint. Must be a difficult colour to match?

some of the tint colours really settle on the bottom, you may have to scrape it before you mix it