Why is there color differences in the vehicle paint?
Learn about the natural and manufacturing-related reasons for subtle variations in factory paint, especially for metallic and 'mica' finishes, ensuring you understand these common occurrences.
You may observe subtle color differences in the factory paint across various parts and panels of your Ford vehicle, particularly with metallic and 'mica' paints. These variations are a normal occurrence and can arise from several factors:
Firstly, the substrate material plays a significant role. The exact same paint applied to a steel panel may appear as a different shade when applied to a plastic or mixed-material bumper bar or fascia panel due to how the paint interacts with different base materials.
Secondly, paint application can occur at different times and locations during the manufacturing process. While Ford assembly plants globally strive to minimize this, removable panels such as the boot (deck) lid or bonnet (hood) might be painted separately from the main body and assembled doors. Even with the same equipment and paint, this can result in slight visible variations.
Thirdly, slight adjustments in the paint shop between vehicle painting on the assembly line can cause metallic or mica flakes to lay down differently from vehicle to vehicle. This subtle change in flake orientation can affect how light is reflected, leading to perceived color differences.
Most commonly, light reflects very differently on curved versus flat surfaces. Additionally, light is more easily contained when there's a break line, such as the edge of a panel or door. This can create the appearance of a different color even when no actual color difference exists.
Finally, the color of the undercoating used between different assembly plants may subtly alter the final shade of the same paint color on vehicles produced in various locations.
If you are concerned about any perceived difference in paint color on your vehicle, we encourage you to contact your local Ford dealership for further assessment and clarification.