Styling Colour Coding Bumper Strips - great results, wrong colour!

[KRANP]

Wanted to colour code my bumper strips. Here's what I did.
(More a summary than a How To Guide. )
All materials (primer, paint, lacquer, sand paper, masking tape, wet wipes) bought from Halfrauds for under £30.

1) Clean car.
2) Masked around the strips.
3) Sanded strips using 120 grit. Hoover dust off. Wet wipe, dry wipe, heater on.
4) Masked all surrounding areas with newspaper.
5) 2x dust coats of grey plastic primer. Dry. 1x full coat. Dry.
6) Sanded primed strips with 400 grit. Hoover dust off. Wet wipe, dry wipe, heater on.
7) 1x full coat grey plastic primer. Dry (overnight).
8) Sanded primed strips with 600 grit. Hoover dust off. Wet wipe, dry wipe, heater on.
9) 2x dust coats of colour coat. Dry. 1x full coat. Dry.
10) Sanded painted strips with 1200 grit. Hoover dust off. Wet wipe, dry wipe, heater on.
11) 1x full coat colour coat. Dry (few hours).
12) 2x dust coats clear lacquer. Dry. 1x full coat lacquer. Dry.
13) Strip back newspaper and masking tape.
14) Admire the fantastic quality of my first attempt at painting (since painting the wheel trims).
15) Realise you painted your strips in Fiat Capri Blue instead of Fiat Blue Teseo Metallic. Swear. Drink. Plan to redo the following weekend in the correct colour... Will buy twice as much and do door and boot handles too.

Can someone please confirm for me the colour of my car. The only plates in the bonnet/boot area is a plate under the carpet LH side that doesn't seem to include colour codes. Help please! (If I paint it wring again I'll cry!) I assumed it was Teseo blue based on other threads.

 

[Wee Smurf]

The paint code should be on a silver sticker on the inside passenger side of your rear boot hatch. What year is your Panda as they changed the names of some of the colours over the years. If in doubt, you could always contact a dealer to confirm the correct name for the colour.

 

[foggymx5]

Is it not easier to remove them for painting?

 

[A3jeroen]

I quite like the result Why not white paint though?

gr J

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Is it not easier to remove them for painting?

Yep, far easier tbh.

 

[foggymx5]

I assume they would just peel off if you used a hairdryer on them for a bit?

 

[KRANP]

I attempted to remove them to paint, because it would make for easier work. But the tiny screwdriver I tried prising them off with slipped a couple of times and scratched the paint next to the strips so I decided to paint them in situ. Also, there was the fear of clips breaking off on the way off, and the paint cracking/splitting as I flex the strips to put them back in.

The badge (under boot carpet) refers to chassis and engine numbers, and weights. Nothing listed for colour. Think a call to main stealer it is. (I thought one of you clever clogs would know though lol).

Think white bumper strips would make it look too 'playful'. I toyed with the idea of white mirror caps, but having seen some other cars online with white wheels and mirrors I've decided against the idea. My next trick will be some white stripes at the bottom of the doors (kinda Abarth style, but no writing), and to black the front bumper behind the number plate (probably with plastidip).

 

[KRANP]

The paint code should be on a silver sticker on the inside passenger side of your rear boot hatch. What year is your Panda as they changed the names of some of the colours over the years.

2006 model (Dynamic)

 

[Wee Smurf]

I would reckon on your car being Teseo blue, however there was a change in colour names around the time yours was made if I remember correctly. That blue was a bit darker than Cocktail blue.

 

[jon1612]

2006 model (Dynamic)

think you missing one point ( i may be wrong but ) yours look like same colour as mine,
its metalic blue not blue, they only did that blue in metalic the other blue is lighter ( a lot lighter ) just like your pictures.

this page might help has list of colours per year, couldnt find paint code label for mine so cant help you there

http://www.chipex.co.uk/fiat-touch-up-paint/fiat-panda-touch-up-paint.html
think you have used azul colour

Jon

 

[homeward]

Another way to check is via the FIAT Accessories website. IIRC, on the touch-up paint stick page, you can email them your reg/VIN number, and they will reply with the correct code and name. Was very useful, when I got my Punto -- which, too, is lacking the requisite sticker.... :idea:

EDIT: page is here....

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

The paint code should be on a silver sticker on the inside passenger side of your rear boot hatch.

:yeahthat:

Is it not there

 

[Wee Smurf]

I still reckon Teseo blue. Capri blue was never a Panda colour. It's an older model colour.

 

[Rooflessdriver]

1. Open boot
2. Look on passenger side of open boot door
3. Read silver sticker for colour code
4. Curse cos halfords don't stock it!

 

[Wee Smurf]

Don't think Halfords have any of the more modern colours.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Don't think Halfords have any of the more modern colours.

Not on shelf, but they'll mix, apparently.

 

[KRANP]

OK, after looking for the sticker:
- on strut across front of engine bay
- underside of bonnet
- all round the boot opening (while standing at the back of the car/under the tailgate)
- under the boot floor
- round the doors

... I then remembered the instruction to stand at the side of the car on the passenger side and look at the side of the tailgate. Low and behold THERE IS THE STICKER and yes, it says 597 Teseo Blue!

So, what's all this talk about Halfords NOT stocking the colour?? Someone please tell me how I can have a spray can of this paint in my hands this coming weekend? I must get rid of those bright blue bumper strips lol!) Do they mix it in store?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Do they mix it in store?

Most do I believe.

 

[KRANP]

Good news! Might pop to a local Halfords and speak to them about it.

Thanks everyone for your comments, really helpful!!

 

[KRANP]

Not on shelf, but they'll mix, apparently.

Just did a product search on Halfords' website, and says that my 4 nearest stores can have it in stock 1 hour after reservation. I suppose that means they mix it? Who knows. At least I'm a bit more confident about getting the right paint and able to redo my bumper strips, and also all the handles.
Fingers crossed!!