We’ve all been there – that heart-sinking moment when your beloved ride suffers an unexpected scratch or scrape. Recently, I experienced this firsthand with my Corbin Smuggler for my motorcycle. Eager to install it, I managed to introduce it to a lawnmower blade hanging above my workbench. The result? A not-so-pretty gash in the brand new, perfectly painted surface.
My initial reaction involved a few choice words, to say the least. After the initial wave of frustration subsided, I decided to seek professional help from a reputable local body shop known for their minor repair expertise. Confident in their ability to restore my Smuggler to its former glory, the only hurdle seemed to be obtaining the correct paint information. “No problem,” I thought, “I’ll just get the paint code from Corbin.”
My call to Corbin’s paint department, however, led to a dead end. They simply directed me to Kawasaki, stating that any paint supplier could easily mix the OEM color with the paint code. They wouldn’t provide the code or brand they used, but a quick online search revealed it to be Kawasaki 27Z – Candy Neptune Blue. Armed with this information, I returned to the body shop, feeling like I’d cracked the code – pun intended.
But the body shop guys weren’t as optimistic. They recalled recent difficulties sourcing paint for a Ninja and were hesitant, but agreed to investigate. An hour later, the call came. Their PPG supplier couldn’t find any information on the paint code. Their best option? To Scan Or Use Car Paint Code technology to try and match the color. Unfortunately, their scanner technician was unavailable until the end of the week.
Seeking alternative solutions, I contacted a Sherwin Williams dealer through a coworker and then a Sikkens dealer myself. Both drew blanks on the paint code and weren’t enthusiastic about scanning. My last resort was the local Kawasaki parts department. Their response was blunt: “NO WAY THEY’LL MATCH IT! KAWI WON’T EVEN SELL PAINT TO ME. Your best bet is Color-Rite.” They pointed me towards Color-Rite’s website, but ordering from them in Canada presents additional challenges.
So, here I am, facing the dilemma: Do I bite the bullet and order from Color-Rite, or put my faith in these color scanner tools? The body shops mentioned needing a flat, several square inch area for an accurate scan, which the saddlebag should provide. Has anyone had success using paint scanners for color matching? Or perhaps, is there a magical part number from PPG, DuPont, or another brand that unlocks the OEM Kawasaki 27Z – Candy Neptune Blue? Any advice from fellow riders or paint professionals would be greatly appreciated!
