I ordered some after market rear quarter window louvers and orded paint code T8. The louvers I received were a slightly darker color, almost like the 2005 Mineral Grey. The company I bought them from says the color code is T8 and it should match.

Has anyone compared the 2006 Tungsten Grey to the 2007 Tungsten Grey? Is there any differences that could cause the color to be slightly off?

 

If the color code is the same, then the finish should be exactly the same.

I doubt Ford would change the paint recipie from year to year for the same color and keep the same code.

There is a little color variation with paints depending on the batch, with both the factory paint and an aftermarket refinish. I'm guessing the vendor's paint was a little off.

 

I was told by 2 bodyshops that it is impossible to get an aftermarket plastic piece to match up exactly with factory metal paint..even with the t8 code

 

Yeah there will be a slight difference between the plastic piece and the metal finish. But it really shouldn't be very apparent. You should post pics so we can see it.

T8 is indeed the color code for Tungsten. I have a Tungsten car with a Street Scenes body kit and a CDC ducktail. There is a VERY VERY slight difference between the color of my body kit / ducktail and my car. But honestly... I can only tell in certain lights and if I'm REALLY looking.

I've seen other Tungsten cars with the CDC ducktail and the color was A LOT different compared to my paintjob. But my shop is probably one of the best in SoCal so perhaps that's why.

Someone here had a yellow hood painted (don't remember who) and the body shop used the wrong primer which caused the color to look almost green. So depending on how it actually looks it may be too far off... but again we'd have to see pictures to asses.

 

yeah, just step back and take a look at the bumper color to the fender/quarter panel cover from factory, you can see a different shade from plastic to metal.

 

I believe I read somewhere that the material properties of plastic parts cause the metallic flakes in the paint to align a different way than when painted on steel. I've even noticed this on Imports

 

I thought the same things with my louvers. Now that they are on I cant tell the difference.

 

i can confirm the T8 Tungsten has not changed yet.
just today while working on my GT500 conversion, a brand new 2007 GT came in to have the license plate braket mounted before delivery to its owner.. it was exactly the same color as mine, a bit more shiny being brand new and freshly polished

 

Thanks for the info. It seems like I can tell only in direct sunlight and of course I'm looking for it. Let me know what you think in these pictures. One is in sunlight and you can see the difference. Another is with the louver on the hood to compare colors. The last is in the shade and you can't really tell. Is this about the closest I'm going to get?

 

it looks as though they've messed up while mixing the paint for the louvers.
not sure how easy it is for you, but i'd either demand a replacement with the proper paint on, or an unpainted replacement with a discount that would cover at least 80% of what the dealership would charge to have them painted

 

Please... don't put any pictures of your asses up here (unless they're nice).. 'cause I wouldn't want to ASSESS any big ol' hairy ones.

Just givin' ya hard time, brutha.

 

I hope T8 is the code, I just dropped off chin spoiler and ducktail to be painted. And thats what I told them. Watch me get mineral gray, lol.