HELP!!! I need advice.....
 

Ok, so here's the story: Had a little fender-bender which resulted in some damage to the front bumper. :thumbdown I took the car to the stealer's body shop, and they replaced the bumper and "completed" the work today. However, the bumper is now at least a shade lighter than the body of the car (it's an '06 mystic blue X3).

The manager tried (in vain) to convince me that the colours were the same, and when that didn't work, he then insisted that the rear bumper was a shade lighter than the rest of the car (which is bull----), as at least two other people who work there agreed with me. So, long story short, I insisted that they match the colours perfectly, so I have to reschedule, take the car back to them, get a loaner, etc. (they had no loaners available, and didn't want to pay for a rental car). In order to match the colour of the car to that of the bumper, they state they have to "blend the side panels." Should they be doing that, or is there a way to perfectly match the colour of the car? I'm assuming that they used the correct colour code (although it IS the stealer, so who knows).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys...and gals!

which dealer did you go to? i am no body work guru but depending on how fresh the paint is on the car and it being an 06 means its nearly new they should not really have to do your pannels because the might as well do the whole car at that point.

That's unaccetable. The bodyshop should be able to match the color perfectly with the paint code.

I just spoke to my sprayer who confirmed that "blending" is only necessary in older cars and colours that have been affected by the sun!Or even in a car that he cant find a paint code!Since your car is new this doesnt apply!

It could be that they used the wrong colour primer!

When they make your colour,they take your car paint code and input it on a mix paint machine.For your car paint code you will have a few variations(sub-codes) which can be darker ,lighter or in your case ,more or less BLUE. These codes tells them which colours and ingredients(like metallics,pearl) to mix.These need to be carefully weighed.
The next is what distinguishes a good sprayer from a mediocre one!
Whatever code mix he decides to make(minimum quantity) he has to spray it on a test metal card and go to the car and compare it,preferably in sunlight!A good experienced sprayer will probably get it exactly right first time,but he may need to do other codes until he finds the one that matches.

Do insist that they get it right or as close as possible!Check your paint code on your car and ask them what sub-code they painted the bumper with?

which dealer did you go to? i am no body work guru but depending on how fresh the paint is on the car and it being an 06 means its nearly new they should not really have to do your pannels because the might as well do the whole car at that point.

Went to Holtz BMW, and they had the car for a total of 3 days.

Do insist that they get it right or as close as possible! Check your paint code on your car and ask them what sub-code they painted the bumper with?

I was told that there are 2 "variations" (sub-codes?) and that the darker of the two was used.

That's unaccetable. The bodyshop should be able to match the color perfectly with the paint code.

That's what I thought, too, which is why I'm wary of them screwing around with the paint of the panels.

Thnaks for all the advice. I'll keep you guys posted on any developments.

Since they used the darker colour and assumimg that the code mix is 100%,they should now apply just apply another "full" coat of blue before applying the top clear varnish coat!This will darken the colour.

The rule is when spraying a metallic colour ,you have to paint it with two coats of paint before applying the 2 or 3 coats of varnish.If you apply an additional paint coat ,you colour will turn out darker,which is what you need
in your case!
If somehow,they didnt give it enough paint coats to cover the primer ,you colour will be lighter,as in you case as well!

Anyway,just trying to give you good professional advice.Hope they get it right the second time!

I'm a little wary of them screwing with the colour of the side panels as the primary problem lies with the colour of the bumper. I'll ask them to do aother coat on the bumper, and then go from there.
Thanks!

You are right to be concerned!If they paint the side panels ,then your bonnet and from your doors back will have the oem darker colour!
They want to create an optical illusion because now you will be concentrating on the bumper only!If the side panels are sprayed ,you will no longer just be looking at the bumper and the colour will look the same from the front angle!