Honda Paint or ??

[Hook#3287]

Soon I'm going to need to paint my tank and bags on the two tone Ct. (Burgandy/cream)  What's the story on matching the oem paint?  I'd like to not have to change the side covers and fenders as they are in prety good shape.  My painter ask if the I thought the original paint on them has faded much.  I said I thought they looked better much like new.  Also should I try to hunt down the Honda paint or something different?  What about the pinestripe?  Is that something I can match?  Does any one have any experience on this that they could pass on to me.  Thanks   Bill

[Davemn]

I had my hard bags painted. I took the bike to an autoparts/paint store and they used a camera looking device and snapped a picture of both colors to get the codes. I gave the codes to my painter (he buys his paint from them) and he mixed it up in his shop. Piece of cake.......looks perfect (98 dark blue and ivory)!

[98valk]

I had my hard bags painted. I took the bike to an autoparts/paint store and they used a camera looking device and snapped a picture of both colors to get the codes. I gave the codes to my painter (he buys his paint from them) and he mixed it up in his shop. Piece of cake.......looks perfect (98 dark blue and ivory)!

be careful of that camera crap. depending on the background light and maybe other factors that color will be different.  Shop did my I/S tank and saddle bags that I added to my 98 coronado blue and ivory and the blue has a purple tint to it. u can't tell unless one compares them to the front and rear fenders. if everything was done, most likely i would never have noticed, maybe that is what they are banking on.
www.colorrite.com is the way to go to match OEM paint

[Davemn]

The camera lens, for lack of a better term, was pressed against the side cover when it was read. I dont recall the details but it wasnt a tradional camera that we think of. In my case the match was perfect as far as I can tell.

[us385south]

The "camera" was a colour analyzer... which IS subject to the lighting conditions at hand when the sample was made.  The idea of that is... colour, as we perceive it, is simply light which is a mixture of wave lengths that enter the eye and are interpreted as colour.

Paint... is simply a mixture or pigments and sometimes dyes that is applied to a surface with various resins to reflect selective wave lengths representing the desired color... so if certain wavelengths are missing and/or present in the ambient light at the time of the "sample" things might not turn out exactly right.

What gets me is how far folks will go to re-invent what we already know... we KNOW the colour codes.  Use them.  Order the OEM paint from Colorite and apply it properly and get an EXACT match.  I've seen paint jobs done with Colorite paint from a rattle can that nailed the color better than some pro painters...

[Pete]

When I had to paint a replacement tank on a 97 (red and cream) I just took it to my local trusted auto repair shop. He found that the red was a perfect color match for a Chrysler stock color easily obtained locally. As for the pearl he used a  2 paint process to do the pearl.

Perfect match, what else could you ask for.

[Davemn]

I am extremely happy with the route I took. It amazes me how some people think there way is the only way!

[Red Diamond]

There is a paint code on the frame of the bike under the left cover. Simple isn't it.

[98valk]

I am extremely happy with the route I took. It amazes me how some people think there way is the only way!

not saying that at all and I didn't see anybody state their way was the only way.
only giving my experience, so others are aware of potenial problems. Maybe the guy who did mine was still drunk from the night before. This was done 10 yrs ago, new technology then?, didn't use it right?
just saying.

[cef2lion]

I went through this last summer with the Burgandy/cream. I think this is the Honda Codes. Pearl Dark Red R223/Pearl Ivory Y137M I had a Yellow/Cream and was switching to Burgandy/cream.  It appeared there was no cross reference to other paint suppliers. I think ColorRite.com has the correct Honda paint. It is pricy. My painter also said I might be getting involved in tricoat with the Honda paint. Which could be costly with the two tone.

We settled on a Chrysler stock color as suggested. Now I need to get some OEM bags painted and there not sure they documented the paint codes. Turned out nice but it got down to picking the Burgandy off some color sheets.

[Hook#3287]

Thanks everyone.  Just like in anything else, we've all had different experiences and this board brings them all together.  So, seems like my options are.   Colorite will have the paint but is $$$?  My local Chrysler place will have the Burgundy cheaper but not the Cream?  Or I could just take a bag to a paint store and hope they match it?  Anyone ever deal with the pinstripe?  That must be a third color code.  I know the codes are on the bike and listed in the service manual, but getting my hands on the right stuff is what I’m in the dark about.  My paint guy will probably know all this stuff, but he’s been out plowing snow since October or so, I think.  I’d like to be prepared if it stops snowing anytime soon.
Gotta fix this, I can't stand looking at it. Thanks Again!  Bill

[98valk]

Thanks everyone.  Just like in anything else, we've all had different experiences and this board brings them all together.  So, seems like my options are.   Colorite will have the paint but is $$$?  My local Chrysler place will have the Burgundy cheaper but not the Cream?  Or I could just take a bag to a paint store and hope they match it?  Anyone ever deal with the pinstripe?  That must be a third color code.  I know the codes are on the bike and listed in the service manual, but getting my hands on the right stuff is what I’m in the dark about.  My paint guy will probably know all this stuff, but he’s been out plowing snow since October or so, I think.  I’d like to be prepared if it stops snowing anytime soon.
Gotta fix this, I can't stand looking at it. Thanks Again!  Bill

the stripe is an OEM peel and stick big $$. painter should know a good pinstripe painter. again match up is the problem. check parts finche for OEM

[Pete]

On the pinstripe, my local body shop painted it on, again perfect match.

[SCain]

JUst speaking from my past experience with the guy who painted my saddlebags and trunk. He said he could use the paint code and paint the parts but it might not match due to being 10 years old and the paint has faded. So he scanned a part of the bike that wasn't being painted so that everything would match.
I think if your painting the entire bike, use the paint code.
Just my .02

[Chillerman]

Thanks everyone.  Just like in anything else, we've all had different experiences and this board brings them all together.  So, seems like my options are.   Colorite will have the paint but is $$$?  My local Chrysler place will have the Burgundy cheaper but not the Cream?  Or I could just take a bag to a paint store and hope they match it?  Anyone ever deal with the pinstripe?  That must be a third color code.  I know the codes are on the bike and listed in the service manual, but getting my hands on the right stuff is what I’m in the dark about.  My paint guy will probably know all this stuff, but he’s been out plowing snow since October or so, I think.  I’d like to be prepared if it stops snowing anytime soon.
Gotta fix this, I can't stand looking at it. Thanks Again!  Bill

My bags are at the paint shop now and I should have them on Monday.  I gave the guy the paint codes for my blue and cream and he mixed them himself with paint from PPG.  I also gave him my rear fender to match the colors.  He said the paint codes and mixing it himself matched my fender perfectly.  As far as the pinstripe, he had a chart with different thicknesses and colors of pinstripe, and the orange stripe we have matches one that he had on his chart.

BTW, our ivory is the same color as well and will cost you more because it is a two (or three?) coat process.

[fudgie]

I agree with CA on the paint camera thing. I spent alot to get my custom paint matched. Esp if the paint is candyed. Painted a trunk once and it looked like poop. Used a brown primer. On my fairing i used a gold primer and the paint actually matched real close. OEM paint maybe different.

[9Ball]

I had my paint matched by the auto body shop using the device and all three colors were matched perfectly.  Like anything else, there is skill involved and I believe that you get what you pay for by going to one of the better shops.  The body shop that did mine specializes in painting vintage Porsches and he was very particular about the outside light when matching the paint.

The stripe on my bags was painted on and it was matched perfectly as well.



Good luck....

[us385south]

I am extremely happy with the route I took. It amazes me how some people think there way is the only way!

There are many ways to skin a cat. Head to tail, tail to head, arm to arm, down the back... the difference is... how do you want the pelt to turn out?

If you are interested in OEM result... use OEM paint.  If your willing to experiment... experiment.  It's all good.  It's just that folks need to understand that with a colour analyzer, there is a wider margin for error due to whatever the lighting conditions are, whether the device is working right and how accurate the paint mix is.

There isn't really a right way or a wrong way... there is only the INFORMED way...

Paint is a big decision...

"Consider all the options we must!"
Yoda, Long, long ago...

[Hook#3287]

I'm becoming informed.  That's what this board does best!

Thanks everyone.