How effective is just painting one section of a car and blending the new paint in with the old? The insurance company of the guy that hit me wants to replace the fender (after I refused to accept body filler) paint the bender and bumper and blend the hood and door. the car is black....I am leaning towards forcing a complete repaint.

 

I would NOT blend, especially on a black car!!! Too many variables (IE: Your current paint has been on since 01, how do you blend paint to match natural aging?) - different clearcoat, etc....go for a full repaint.

Remember, they have to satisfy you and it's up to YOU as to where you want to take your car....

 

Good paint shops are amazing. They can even match the level of orange peal. Bad paint shops far out number the good ones and will screw just about anything up including a full repaint.

 

get it belnded, if the shop knows what they are doing it looks much better to the eye

 

the problem with blending is the aging factor. it may seem fine at first but becomes noticeable over time as both paints start to age at different rates.

 

It can be done, you need the best shop within 1000 miles of your location to do it right, see their work, meet the owner AND the painters.

Then have them do it. If you don't like it, don't accept it, and have it done again. It can be done, and done very well, even on cars 10 years old if they are cared for properly and painted right.

If you don't like it, don't settle with the insurance company, and get it done the way you want it.

In the end, with the right team on it, it will look perfect.