- Totally get where you’re coming from—reds are just brutal to match, especially after a few years in the sun.
- I’ve had similar headaches with paint touch-ups on my old truck. Even with the “right” code, it never looked quite right.
- Sun, weather, and age just do their own thing to each panel.
- Custom mix is definitely the way to go if you want it close, but yeah, sometimes you still catch those weird shifts in certain light.
- Honestly, I wouldn’t stress too much—most folks won’t notice unless they’re really looking for it. You did what you could!
Honestly, I wouldn’t stress too much—most folks won’t notice unless they’re really looking for it. You did what you could!
That’s pretty much my motto for everything around here, especially after moving in and realizing how many “almost matching” paint patches I’ve got going on. My neighbor’s car has three different reds on it—looks like a patchwork quilt, but he just calls it “character.” I tried touching up a door ding on my own car and ended up with a spot that only matches at sunset, if you squint. Reds just have a mind of their own, I swear...
I tried touching up a door ding on my own car and ended up with a spot that only matches at sunset, if you squint. Reds just have a mind of their own, I swear...
- Car manufacturers tweak red formulas for branding—one brand’s “cherry” is another’s “crimson.”
- Paint fades differently depending on sun exposure, age, and even how it was applied at the factory.
- Red pigments are notoriously unstable. That’s why your neighbor’s “patchwork quilt” look happens so fast.
- Even pro touch-ups can look off unless you blend into the next panel. I’ve seen it with roof coatings too—reds just don’t play nice.
Matching red is basically a lost cause unless you’re repainting the whole thing... or you just start calling it “character” like your neighbor.
Is it just me, or does every time you try to match a red, it ends up looking like a totally different car in certain light? I get why manufacturers want their own “signature” red, but it’s a pain for anyone trying to fix a scratch. I’ve seen the same thing with metal roof panels—reds fade and shift so fast, especially on south-facing slopes. Even if you get the original paint code, it never seems to line up after a few years in the sun. Is there actually any trick to blending reds, or is it just luck and good lighting?
- 100% agree, matching reds is a nightmare.
-
“Even if you get the original paint code, it never seems to line up after a few years in the sun.”
Happens with building materials too—metal doors, gutters, even playground equipment. Sun just eats red pigment for breakfast.
- In my experience:
- South-facing anything fades fastest.
- Even “factory” touch-up paint can look off after a couple seasons.
- Blending helps a bit, but with red it’s almost always obvious unless you feather it out over a big area.
- Lighting makes a huge difference—what looks fine in shade can look totally wrong in direct sun.
- I’ve had better luck with darker reds (burgundy, brick) than bright ones. The bright reds seem to go pink or orange way faster.
- Trick? Not really. Some folks swear by custom mixing at an auto paint shop, but even then… depends on how picky you are.
- Honestly, sometimes I just call it “patina” and move on. If it’s not front-and-center, I try not to let it bug me too much.
