Citroen C5 Tourer White Paint

[Argos69]

Ok,
This is a seemingly simple situation - which has driven me to the point of insanity!

I (in a moment of madness!) decided to spray paint my two passenger side doors using spray cans. Now, before you fall off your chair laughing, I have successfully done such things in the past, but back in the days before the do-gooders ruined spray cans by changing the propellant and recipe.

Let's add the complication that I'm in France! Arghhh! Anyway, so I bought some cans from Halfords during a UK visit (Citroen Polar White code EWPB). Perfect colour match but only enough for one door.

So, I ordered some "made to car paint code - no need for lacquer - full gloss" from Amazon uk and had it delivered to someone visiting us over here. What arrived was what I'd call "Fridge white". It was satin and had absolutely no gloss at all!

I then tried what some call a French Halfords equivalent in the form of Feu Vert. The assistant checked the car paint code then said all they could do would be to give me something "similar"..... So I gave up on that.

Next step, I ordered some more from Germany (can't get spray cans sent from uk to Europe nowadays). What arrived was yet another version of white..... Also it needed lacquer.

So now I've calmed down, does anyone have any advice (other than Halfords) where in the world I can get some aerosol paint? The car paint is original and the white looks correct. As I mentioned, the Halfords version was a perfect match.

Ideally, the right colour and without needing lacquer, ie you can just polish it.

Phew!

[mickthemaverick]

Can't offer much help other than the company I use but if you can't have them sent to France from here there is no point!!

[Argos69]

Hi Mick and thank you for your reply.
Yes, due to the master stroke hereinafter known as "brexit", aerosols are classed as far too hazardous to make the intrepid journey from the UK to France. It slightly tickled me that when the German aerosols arrived, they were referred to as "bombs"! They just can't help themselves, can they?
I suppose all I'm left with at this stage is assuring myself that EWPB is the precise paint code. I've noticed that my car shows EWPB** on the sticker. Nothing significant there I'm hoping?

So, white, non metallic french car in France - can't get any paint! Where's that ferry?

[mickthemaverick]

You could try this company I found on French ebay: https://www.ebay.fr/itm/406146836876?_s ... R9CpgN20Zg

[Argos69]

Thank you for that Mick.
My current plan? The doors are all refitted and the door mirror, edges, hinges, handles (harder than I thought they'd be!) and fittings are all painted and good. I showed my friend the "shade card" I'd created and he (being a retired troubleshooter for a big car manufacturer) said, "lets get my paint spraying gear out and do the side of the car". So at this stage, he's ordering some paint from the UK, which a friend will bring over and then we'll see if we can finally make it look right. I shall post the outcome!

[wurlycorner]

Asking a stupid question but... Is there not a local car bodyshop supplier over there, who is able to custom mix paint to order? And do it not just from code, but from taking spectograph sample on the car itself? That's relatively commonplace/easy to find over here. I'd have thought that would also exist in France?

[Argos69]

I often think it'd be easier to get car parts, paint etc in the middle of the Sahara Desert!

Yes, it IS a French car, so you'd think that'd help. My Land Rover comes with another set of challenges entirely!

Halfords? Amazon Deliveries in grey vans? Paint? Spare parts? Same day anything? Nope. None of that here in the middle of the French countryside. Anyone who mixes paint wants you to pay them to put it on for you.

So, it's far from a stupid question and after years living here, it still surprises us. When I visit the UK I order lots of stuff for same day & next day delivery. Why? Because I can

[Argos69]

For those of you old enough to remember the start of this sorry tale, here's an update.

I think I may be turning into one of those old guys who hate getting anyone to do anything, because it's never "as good as I could do myself if I had the tools"...
I am still awaiting the paint, which my friend will spray for me, but I have lost confidence in him and the job.
Before I returned to the UK for Christmas, my mate said he'd help sort out a small dent behind the rear passenger door.
Well....
I have never seen such utter incompetence. You'd think he'd never done anything to do with car bodywork before. A little background information. He was a senior troubleshooter for the bodywork section of a car production line, on, wait for it.... Austin Rover!
Before I stopped him and was accused of being too much of a perfectionist, he....
1. Ran a sander down the side of the car, catching the chrome door handle inserts.
2. Got overspray on the windscreen, tyre, side window, roof rail, door rubber and somehow... rear seat!
3. Ran an abrasive pad over the chrome door strip.
4. Put filler in the dent that looked like ARTEX (which I spent a day redoing).

So, I now find myself wondering if I mask the car correctly and remove anything easily damaged, if it's still worth letting him respray the side of the car.

I did once completely respray a Toyota Landcruiser with great success. I wonder if I ask to borrow his kit so I can "have a go" myself, he'll agree.
It's too cold to do the job at present, so I'll report back when it happens

[PaulC5]

An air compressor and spray gun do not cost that much if you want to buy one, then only need the paint and can do the job at your leisure and to your standards. Still probably a lot cheaper than paying a bodyshop to do the work. Lots of masking tape and old newspapers prevent the overspray but take time to apply and still quicker than trying to clean up the mess later.

[mickthemaverick]

Well either he's a very good mate or you know he doesn't read this forum! I'd go with Paul's plan with possibly one change, be careful about using newspaper, if you end up leaving it touching paintwork too long with the painting atmosphere you may get ink on the car, use plain brown paper sold in rolls for the job.

[Stickyfinger]

There are 8 versions of EWPB colour......just to make you more confidant

[Argos69]

"8 versions of EWPB" eh? Thanks for that. I can remember the good old days when a colour name was enough, with the paint code to back it up. I have a strange memory for paint colours and number plates from previous cars. Yet I can't remember a word my Wife said 5 minutes ago

My very first car JRM639L had Sebring Red paint. When I needed some, I bought it and it matched perfectly. Also it was cellulose and smelled wonderful. The good old days!

"less confident" you say? No need to worry. All confidence in this job evaporated many weeks ago!

Thanks all for advice and sympathy!