Paint Color mismatch??

[cnsheets]

Any others with the white platinum metallic tri-coat paint have any problems with parts of the car not matching other parts?

Mainly the small little round circle thing on the front bumper passenger side, gas cap door, and the rear spoiler???

These three items seem to be off color compaired to the rest of the vehicle. The main portions of the vehicle has a nice bright metallic white color where-as these 3 items, the color seems to almost have a cream/yellow colored look to it. Definatley a noticable color difference.

If I am not happy with this color difference, is it a warrantable item covered under warranty??

 

[grrtrainman]

I'll betcha that round "thingy" on the front of the bumper is the port for the radar adaptive cruise control/collision warning system. It, and the other three items you mentioned may not be sprayed at the same time as the body. Y/N?
If you look at the cover of the 2011 Ex catalog, that "plug" stands out. I have seen two of these plugs on the front of quite a few foreign cars but I think those are for tiedowns during shipping.

 

[Holligl]

I'll betcha that round "thingy" on the front of the bumper is the port for the radar adaptive cruise control/collision warning system. It, and the other three items you mentioned may not be sprayed at the same time as the body. Y/N?
If you look at the cover of the 2011 Ex catalog, that "plug" stands out. I have seen two of these plugs on the front of quite a few foreign cars but I think those are for tiedowns during shipping.

The Front Bumber circle pops out for the front tow hook. The Bliss sensors are on the sides in front of the wheels.

 

[VinceL]

I don't think all of those parts are sprayed at the same time, and as a result, they can often take on different shades of the intended color.

That is one of the biggest issues with metallic paint colors. If they are not sprayed at the same time with the same batch of paint, slight differences in concentrations of the solvents, pigments, and metallic particles can affect how the parts absorb and reflect light. They may look perfect at some angles, but at others, the color 'shifts' slightly causing the issue that you are noticing.

I believe it is just a fact of life with metallic paints. Toyota Camry's from the 90's were absolutely the worst for this, especially the light beige/sand color. The body would look more brown, and the plastic painted bumpers would all too often look pink. It was pretty pathetic.

Unfortunately, there is not a lot to be done beyond having the car completely repainted, but that will just cause a whole new batch of problems. The factory paint job is almost always going to be better, unless you are in to dropping upward of four to six grand on a high quality paint job. I have learned to just look the other way when it comes to this, which is difficult for me as these types of things tend to drive me nuts!!!

 

[alexk]

Yes its common for the Fords in the White Platinum to be slightly off. Ive noticed it on quite a few Lincolns and a couple Fords at the dealership I work at.

 

[chimoman]

Can you post some pics. Is the difference very noticeable. If so bring it back to the dealer. Make a formal complaint and have it fixed.

 

[peterk9]

The Front Bumber circle pops out for the front tow hook.

That is correct. I also had a similar but rectangular piece on the front bumper of my previous '09 Highlander.

 

[peterk9]

I don't think all of those parts are sprayed at the same time, and as a result, they can often take on different shades of the intended color.

That is one of the biggest issues with metallic paint colors. If they are not sprayed at the same time with the same batch of paint, slight differences in concentrations of the solvents, pigments, and metallic particles can affect how the parts absorb and reflect light. They may look perfect at some angles, but at others, the color 'shifts' slightly causing the issue that you are noticing.

Mine is the Platinum white tri-coat and I had the front right sensor replaced. The new sensor had to be painted at the dealer's body shop and is a perfect match to the rest of the vehicle.

 

[VinceL]

Mine is the Platinum white tri-coat and I had the front right sensor replaced. The new sensor had to be painted at the dealer's body shop and is a perfect match to the rest of the vehicle.

Sweet. Your dealer must have some decent body shop folks.

 

[Boostking]

I wanted to add to this thread. I was washing the Xsport for the first time the other day with my wife and we noticed the front bumper is noticeably off color. Its my wife's car and I had not noticed it yet as I usually only see the vehicle when its parked in the garage. Anyways you can imaging my anger to see this. My dealer is claiming "this is normal" and however seems willing to try to fix it. He said that lighter colors tend to do this on the panels that are not the same material, for example the bumper being a plastic versus the body being sheet metal. I told him BS because all of my personal cars I have had light colors and the paint always matches perfect. Here are a few pictures. What do you guys think? I can clearly see that the rest of the car is more of a bright vibrant white and the front bumper is more yellow and dull.

 

[Bryceb]

I wanted to add to this thread. I was washing the Xsport for the first time the other day with my wife and we noticed the front bumper is noticeably off color. Its my wife's car and I had not noticed it yet as I usually only see the vehicle when its parked in the garage. Anyways you can imaging my anger to see this. My dealer is claiming "this is normal" and however seems willing to try to fix it. He said that lighter colors tend to do this on the panels that are not the same material, for example the bumper being a plastic versus the body being sheet metal. I told him BS because all of my personal cars I have had light colors and the paint always matches perfect. Here are a few pictures. What do you guys think? I can clearly see that the rest of the car is more of a bright vibrant white and the front bumper is more yellow and dull.

I don;t notice this much on my green Ex, but on our copper Edge, I do.. the plastic parts are all slightly off and change as you move around the car

 

[harlenm]

plastic parts are always a different color than metal. It has to do with the way the paint adheres to the different materials

 

[FordService]

I wanted to add to this thread. I was washing the Xsport for the first time the other day with my wife and we noticed the front bumper is noticeably off color...

Hi Boostking.

I'm confident your dealer will be able to take care of you. If you'd like me to step in and assist, please send me a PM with your name, phone number, VIN, mileage, and dealer info.

Ashley

 

[Ryan327]

I have a similar but different complaint. One side of my car is very smooth and the paint looks great, the other side, has that orange peel look. never noticed it at first, but when filling up my gas tank, especially in the bright sun, it's very noticeable.

Way to go Ford.....now I'm pretty much stuck with it the way it is

 

[Harley#356]

the paint color variation is "normal". I wouldn't accept it if I had the vehicle repainted or custom painted, but for a mass produced vehicle rolling off the assembly line, it's normal. Our mustang was the same way, the plastic front/rear bumper panels were a hue off, and the sport is the same way, the front bumper is a noticable shade hue off in direct sunlight. I'd actually recommend leaving it as-is, over letting the dealer attempt to repaint it if they even offer, because you'd have more of a chance of cracking or peeling or a mis-match with a second attempt, than just leaving it as-is.

 

[Boostking]

Hi Boostking.

I'm confident your dealer will be able to take care of you. If you'd like me to step in and assist, please send me a PM with your name, phone number, VIN, mileage, and dealer info.

Ashley

Hey Ashley,

Thank you for your response. I have confidence that my dealer will be able to take care of the issue. I am a little concerned as he seems to take the approach that this is normal, but I told him I disagree and that I want it fixed. I hope that he takes care of it. If he doesnt I will certainly reach out to you. Thanks again for your concern. It is very much appreciated and gives me some more confidence in Ford's customer satisfaction.

 

[Boostking]

the paint color variation is "normal". I wouldn't accept it if I had the vehicle repainted or custom painted, but for a mass produced vehicle rolling off the assembly line, it's normal. Our mustang was the same way, the plastic front/rear bumper panels were a hue off, and the sport is the same way, the front bumper is a noticable shade hue off in direct sunlight. I'd actually recommend leaving it as-is, over letting the dealer attempt to repaint it if they even offer, because you'd have more of a chance of cracking or peeling or a mis-match with a second attempt, than just leaving it as-is.

Could you elaborate on having more of a chance of it "cracking of peelling"? I would presume that if it is painted correctly as it should be, I should not need to worry. Looking at my pictures you would call that normal? I find it unacceptable. I'm even going to stop by some competitors dealerships (GM, Audi, and Dodge) on my way home one evening and just check out their brand new cars to see how their paint matches. Assuming most of the industry uses the same "plastic type" front bumpers versus the sheet metal body, in theory every manufacture would have this same issue...

I think this really boils down to the assembly approach. It looks as if the bumper covers are painted on a different line than the whole body, and when mated they have different shades. A properly painted car at the same time with the same paint will match. Maybe the "texture of the surface" of the panel beneath with be slightly different, but you wont see "yellow" compared to "sparkling white". Even with different surfaces, a primer and sand will make all surfaces too close to tell the difference.

Of the 5 or so cars I have owned, 4 have been lighter silver colors, and they all have matched perfectly from the factory.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[peterk9]

Could you elaborate on having more of a chance of it "cracking of peelling"? I would presume that if it is painted correctly as it should be, I should not need to worry. Looking at my pictures you would call that normal? I find it unacceptable. I'm even going to stop by some competitors dealerships (GM, Audi, and Dodge) on my way home one evening and just check out their brand new cars to see how their paint matches. Assuming most of the industry uses the same "plastic type" front bumpers versus the sheet metal body, in theory every manufacture would have this same issue...

I think this really boils down to the assembly approach. It looks as if the bumper covers are painted on a different line than the whole body, and when mated they have different shades. A properly painted car at the same time with the same paint will match. Maybe the "texture of the surface" of the panel beneath with be slightly different, but you wont see "yellow" compared to "sparkling white". Even with different surfaces, a primer and sand will make all surfaces too close to tell the difference.

Of the 5 or so cars I have owned, 4 have been lighter silver colors, and they all have matched perfectly from the factory.Thanks for all the replies.

I have the Platinum white tri-coat and there are no colour variations between the body and the bumpers. The previous 3 Highlanders I had (2 metallic silver, 1 Sonora Gold Pearl) also did not exhibit any colour variances. I don't see why there should be any since the final paint coat I assume is applied over a primer coat so it isn't even in contact with any plastic.

Peter

 

[rmp301]

I notice this on my ginger ale metallic as well. It appears that any body part of plastic is not an exact match with the metal parts of the truck. I saw this on a red Ex also. I think once your eye drawn to this, it stands out on many colors.

 

[roamingphantom]

WOAH! I just noticed this too..I also have the Platinum white and i gotta say i really never noticed it until now. After reading your post yesterday i checked this morning and there it was. I will do a thorough inspection tomorrow with better weather. DAMN DAMN!