Touch Up Paint From Halfords

[Ed_Shek]

Anyone ever had Halfords mix them up paints? I am needing some touch up paint for my Island Green 2002 Corolla T-Sport? Does anyone know the Halfords process and do I need to tell them the paint code?

[jam1e]

Anyone ever had halfords mix them up paints? I am needing some touch up paint for my Island Green 2002 Corolla T-Sport? Does anyone know the Halfords process and do I need to tell them the paint code?

You will have to provide the paint code which you will find at the bottom of the n/side B post.

You might be better off getting one from your toyota dealer, I found it cheaper than Halfords.

If you decide to get it from the dealer, just give them your reg no. and they can find the colour code on their system.

[Boro Sera]

I've had paint mixed by Halfords before - no problems really.

Like any paint supplier, all you need to do is provide the paint code and they will do the rest. There are places that can match any colour from a sample, but usually it's by the book mixing so you need the code ( secret recipe ! ).

[Jock Fran]

Just get some from Toyota - I think mine was about a fiver, which is probably cheaper than Halfords.

The mixing can be hit and miss too. Depends if you get a monkey doing it. My mate had some mixed by Halfords for a grey MG and the match was awful. Got it mixed at another place and it was perfect.

[Boro Sera]

The mixing can be hit and miss too. Depends if you get a monkey doing it. My mate had some mixed by Halfords for a grey MG and the match was awful. Got it mixed at another place and it was perfect.

That can be said for just about anywhere really. If the guy mixing it isn't attentive it can be several shades out. If you get somewhere that provides a perfect match then find out who mixed it and make sure the same guy serves you the next time.

[Jock Fran]

The mixing can be hit and miss too. Depends if you get a monkey doing it. My mate had some mixed by Halfords for a grey MG and the match was awful. Got it mixed at another place and it was perfect.

That can be said for just about anywhere really. If the guy mixing it isn't attentive it can be several shades out. If you get somewhere that provides a perfect match then find out who mixed it and make sure the same guy serves you the next time.

Very true. Best to get opinions on places locally off friends really. Much safer (and probably cheaper) to just get it from Toyota!

Found a pic of the MG:

Got the whole bumper resprayed with that colour!

[Ed_Shek]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I'll check the price at my local Toyota dealership before going to Halfords.

[tsport_stuart]

everything the guys are saying about Halfords is slightly true, i used to work in Halfords and mixed paint the odd time. i have seen staff go over the weight of diff colours by mistake and just say awww ubik it im not starting over again its a waste of paint, if u are going to Halfords just stand over the guy and make sure hes putting the right weight of each colour into the mixing cup.

[Ed_Shek]

everything the guys are saying about halfords is slightly true, i used to work in halfords and mixed paint the odd time. i have seen staff go over the weight of diff colours by mistake and just say awww ubik it im not starting over again its a waste of paint, if u are going to halfords just stand over the guy and make sure hes putting the right weight of each colour into the mixing cup.

To be honest I wouldn't even know what to look out for!

[nightrax]

l had to get a touch up stick from Toyota about two weeks ago.

And it cost about a fiver

l would say at that price go for the Mr T one, at least you know it will be the right color.

[Boro Sera]

One other thing you need to be aware of is that the paint you're getting is new. It hasn't been in the sun, or the salt, or rained on all summer. Basically even though it may be the right colour ( by the book ) it may not match your car perfectly as the paint on your car is older/faded/weathered etc. Bodyshops regularly have to 'blend' the new paint into the old to stop it looking patchy !

[Jimlad]

The paint is made by weighing each ingredient of the paint. It is very easy to go 0.1g over.

I'm a Halfords store manager and if the person who does it is attentive and careful with the mixing, then there should be no problems.

Give the chap the paint code and the model/year the car is.

[Boro Sera]

The paint is made by weighing each ingredient of the paint. It is very easy to go 0.1g over.

Too right. I've mixed paint this way in the past. The scales were so sensitive that trucks going past on the industrial estate could screw up the readings ! It's really not as easy as it sounds to get it right every time !

[Boro Sera]

One other thing that is very relevant here too is the type or paint . Candies/pearls/micas etc are different to standard paints as these are translucent. The depth of colour is achieved by the thickness of the applied paint. Using a different coloured primer OR having too much or too little paint on the section will affect the final colour achieved. ( a bit like watercolour painting - If you need it darker then you just add another coat of paint.

This is a common complaint about colour matching. When cars are initially painted it's a case of the whole thing being sprayed evenly with the colour - not a small area or touch up. Trying to get a perfect match - even for professionals - is damn tricky !