Seat Leon MK2 Paint Issue

[Rutter200_VR46]

Hi guys

Just recently I've noticed that the colour of the paintwork and the bumper doesn't match. This is a picture to show what I mean. What has happened here? It was never like this before!

 

[Katiegan]

How long have you owned the car? I can only presume it's always been like that and you've never noticed. If the car's been in a collision and had the bumper replaced/repainted, it's very likely the paint they've used doesn't quite match up with the rest of the car.

 

[Rutter200_VR46]

The car is 08, not been involved in an accident and I've had it for 2 years. It definitely was not like this when I got it, I've a very fine eye for detail. Might try some compound see if that brings it up. Just clutching at straws probably!

 

[FordMKIVJ5]

Is the bumper plastic?

 

[Rutter200_VR46]

It is indeed.

 

[FordMKIVJ5]

The same paint on plastic and metal can look different due to various reasons, chief among which are:

• Factories often use electrostatic spraying equipment to spray metal surfaces, yet use conventional techniques for plastic.
• With plastic the longer drying time can affect the shade.

Another explanation is that the bumper was sprayed separately from the car and used a different batch of paint than the rest of the vehicle. Another thing to consider would be that the metal surface heats more than the plastic one, which would accelerate pain deterioration.

Honestly as long as the whole bumper is slightly different in colour, and not just a patch of it then I wouldn't worry.

 

[Ibonibo]

And primers are different for metal - plastics.

It's just wierd that you just noticed it...

The car never was in the workshop longer than needed? (They scratch the paint, repaint it without letting the customer know, kind of thing)?

But even high tier cars have serious paint matching problems (GTR's for exemple are really bad in some colours).

Light shaded colours are even more noticable then darker ones

 

[Rutter200_VR46]

Thanks for all the info guys 👍 In certain light it is noticeable I guess I know about it so I think its worse than actually is. Anyway a guy from autoglym suggested some compound might help bring it back.

 

[GDII]

This seems to happen alot between metal and plastic/urethane/fibreglass parts. My MR2 has faded bumpers, door mirrors and fibreglass spoilers. The bumpers were repainted and I have since painted the spoilers and vinyled the mirrors. Different substrate, different paint finish.

@FordMKIVJ5 first comment is most likely the reason you are seeing the difference.