PaintScratch issue--need advice and reassurance :P

[sammeh]

Hey guys!

So about a month ago I ordered paint from PaintScratch, because it seemed to be highly recommended.

I have a vortex blue Beetle and ordered the "soft blue" paint because it matches the paint code for my car. I know my car hasn't been repainted and has BARELY faded from the sun because the inner parts of my car (trunk body, etc) match the exterior perfectly. The door panels inside the car also match the exterior pretty perfectly. I even put in my VIN when I ordered to verify, etc. So what they sent me is just wrong, in my opinion. I sent them back a sample of it, though, and they said it matches their factory chip perfectly. Am I crazy? Are they wrong? Does anyone have a suggestion as to what to do regarding the order, or where else to go for paint? Any similar problems or fellow vortex blue...ers? I don't really feel like re-ordering, because I'm running low on funds.

Here's the color of my car:

This one tints the car slightly, but you get the idea.

Here's what they sent me:

[MichelleRoze]

vortex blue IS darker...I think. And I'm not sure how you applied that color but it looks thick...maybe that's why it looks soooo dark.

Maybe your car evenly faded?

This was taken by Chelsea (smartchick) the most recent vortex blue I've seen....

[Beetlescott]

I just received my paint pen (silver arrow) and clear coat pen from this company. I haven't tried yet. It definately looks like the wrong paint.

[oceanjoe89]

Yeah... looks strange to me...

Your car almost looks like a vapour blue in the picture... and the paint they gave you looks like navy blue!

[MichelleRoze]

i just got paint from paintscratch (reflex silver) and it looks identical. I've been happy with it.

Agree with oceanjoe about the "vapour blue" coloring of your bug.

[sammeh]

I know my beetle is definitely "soft/vortex" blue because of the paint code and year.
Even in thin strokes the color is WAY too dark--it seems impossible to me that my car could have faded that much Interesting picture though, I guess I'll have to look into "vortex blue" a bit more.

[bugasm99]

The color is "vertex" blue. and the GTi above is Jazz Blue which was only offered on 20th AE GTi's. The darker NB blues (non navy) are techno and satellite.

[sammeh]

So in other words, their paint color is wrong and I'm correct? Now I just wish they would send me the right color..

[bugasm99]

Looking at the picture I would say the paint they sent you was dark. But its also either on a yellow base which can change the look, or your white balance is off on your camera which also makes it look darker.

With that said, why don't you just test it on a bare primered piece and see if it matches up?

[oceanjoe89]

paint colors for all years

here is the list of all the paint codes for all model years.

I def think yours in a vortex blue judging by the picture you put in above and the paint swatch in the link i'm posting, but what they sent you does NOT look like vortex. It looks like techno or even batik blue...

[sammeh]

The white balance in the picture was off, but I didn't feel like taking another at the time. It still basically accurately reflects what they sent me. I tried a small piece on my car and there's NO way it's going to come even close. Paintscratch has at least given me a phone number to call, so I'll try today and see what they can do for me.

Thanks for the color chart, oceanjoe!

[MichelleRoze]

you're right, i forgot the GTI was jazz blue.

Here is a thread about a TDI vortex blue beetle....looks like the color CAN fade that much....maybe?

How Rare Is Vortex Blue?



then again, maybe they just have a good camera?

Wait? is this the same car once owned by Mike Briggs??? Yours wouldn't happen to be a TDI would it?

[Smileybug]

I'd say that paint looks like Batik Blue to me. Its certainly too dark to be Techno blue. When I went to the dealer to get touch-up paint, I gave them my VIN. Got Batik Blue instead of Techno. So even if you have the right info, doesn't mean you always get the right product.

Though I would try putting that paint on a white surface instead of a yellow one.

[sammeh]

The surface isn't yellow, it was the white balance on my camera.

Mine isn't a TDI, it's a turbo--my car looks different depending on the light to be honest. Sometimes it looks nearly as dark as that TDI, but either way the paint doesn't match haha.
I don't think mine was owned by Mike Briggs? I'm not really sure WHO owned it before me, it was an auction car that was repo-ed :P

Thanks for all your help guys

Edit: I called PaintScratch today and talked to a really rude woman who basically told me I'm SOL and that the department I called didn't OWN PaintScratch, and that I'd have to talk to the owner, but she hung up without giving me any sort of direction or phone number. :S I guess I'll just call this wasted money.