I have a friend who recently had the misfortune of damaging the right front fender on his pearl white 72 Chevelle. It was painted a couple of years ago with a three stage, pearl white color. I do not know thw brand of the paint but it was something used on an Acura or Cadillac of the time.

Anyway, the shop wants to paint the entire side of the car as they are saying they can't just blend into the door like a regular two stage paint. The damage is dead center of the fender over the wheel well. The car not a show car but an exceptional weekend driver. The rest of the paint on the car is excellent.

Does this sound right?

That sounds about right.. It is better to redo an entire side when blending a pearl so everything lays evenly down the car.. Otherwise it could look BAD http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

------------------
X-Ray View of my Chevelle :D (http://www.normieschevelle.com/sideview.jpg)
Getting Closer (http://www.normieschevelle.com/passfull.jpg)
my baby in primer (http://www.normieschevelle.com/prime/primerdrv.jpg)

normie is dead on. Pearls are a b%^&*. Blending them is next to impossible. I would shoot the entire fender and then blend into the door and the hood and reclearall these parts. Even then it might still show a difference. Gun set up and # of coatings play a big part with pearls.
Let the shop do it the way they know best. Don't try to talk them around a short cut, it will only be his loss.

Good luck
RandyB..

It can be done, I did it on a 72 Lemans and a early 90's Riviera. I was using the PPG System. The 72 Lemans was a Lt fender blend and the Riviera was a Rt fender into door blend, both were white. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

It sounds like this shop doesn't really have a clue or they are trying to get $ for something they are not going to do. Pearls can be blended when you use the right products.and apply the correct techniques. With rare exceptions, (Ford's red pearl-don't remember which one-notE9,I would never have to paint a whole side for a fender repair. I would look long and hard for someone who is good enough to do this repair. Very few painter can do it.
Gordon VM
Restoration Motorsports

Gordon is right, it is done everyday in collision shops. Many late model cars are three stage either pearl or candies and are blended out just like any other color.

------------------
1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T
"Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

Agree with MARTINSR, Gordon and dale3. Three stage can be blended, takes time and a good, patient painter. Karl