Powder coated bull bar

[Marts Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Marts]

I have recently made enquiries regarding fitting a steel ARB bull bar to suit my new Kakadu, I was advised not to have one colour coded "crystal pearl" to match the car, as this colour is very difficult to match.
The 4x4 shop recommended fitting and aluminium bar instead.
Has anyone any thoughts on this:?

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

I was advised not to have one colour coded "crystal pearl" to match the car, as this colour is very difficult to match.

So what would the crash repairers do if you had an accident? they would have to match the colour. No way they would write off a kakadu because it had a small dent and was to hard to match the colour. Difficult surely doesn't mean impossible, get what you want, not what the 4x4 shop thinks will be easiest for them.

Cheers Andrew

[ABR-SIDEWINDER Member Find all posts View Profile Close ABR-SIDEWINDER]

I had no problem, gave them the paint code and the colour is fine.

[rhs58 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rhs58]

My 120 is "crystal pearl", and I had the bar color coded.
Match is pretty close, not perfect, but takes a close look to notice the difference. I know there's a difference but most can't see it.
I think part of the issue is that "crystal pearl" takes on different hues depending on the viewing angle and ambient light, and this creates perceived difference between flat surfaces of the bull bar and curved body panel surfaces.

[lippa Member Find all posts View Profile Close lippa]

it is impossible to match a 3 layer pearl, such as toyotas crystal pearl. But as from rhs58's experience you can, if your lucky, get it pretty close. In an accident repair situation, you will find that the colour is blended through adjoining panels so as to give the illusion that the colour is accurate. It is also more expensive to repair for this reason.

You need to match two colours to achieve the finish. first is a solid base coat of white, then a transparent coat, which contains the pearl effect. trust me when i say thats its very difficult. Most paint company's do have formulations but they can be very hit and miss. Considering the time it takes to match, most shops will just spray the formulations and hope for the best.

Its a gamble to colour code 3 layer pearls, but when done right, F#@king awesome!!!!!!

[Marts Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Marts]

OK, next question!!!
Should I go with an aluminium bar, what are the pro's and cons?
I intend to use my Kakadu in WA, staying in outback stations and day tripping using these as a base camp. Also joining a 4x4 club to do the ususl trips in a club environment. (no rock wall climbing or river crossing etc.).

[Ozpat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ozpat]

I got the ARB bar with matching pearl. You have to look really hard to see the difference. I just love the bar. Bugs come off easily with bug remover.

[Giles Member Find all posts View Profile Close Giles]

Hey guys, The White Pearl is a hard colour to match,but they do a good job of it.

I'm a spray painter by trade and i'd say definetly go the colour coded bar,we have done several done here at thornleigh in the pearl white and they turned out pretty good (to my standards atleast..which are pretty high).

[wooley Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close wooley]

law suit? what about?

[Batto83 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Batto83]

After colour coding my bars I wouldn't do it again. The painter managed to match the Blue Storm really well (although this is easier than the pearl) and it looked good to start with but when taken off road it voids what I've put the bar work on there for.
After 2-3 offroad trips the paint is scratched and chipped, something that I've never experienced with standard Black Powdercoated barwork due to the strength of powdercoating.
After my Cape York trip next year I intend to remove all the bar work and powder coat it silver/grey to match my alloy wheels, won't be colour coded but won't be the standard boring black bar work either.
Don't go alloy.......... too weak. Only good if you want it to look like it's taken off road not actually taken off road.

I went with an Ironman bar as it is a copy of the ARB from what I've seen but was cheaper. Very happy with it.

[MidLifeCrisis Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close MidLifeCrisis]

Steel, aluminum is as useless as the foil namesake.

Colour code it. My silver does not match perfect but it looks good. As for chipping, well there are serious paint gouges all over the rig, they are called battle scars and a glass of HTFU will generally fix this ;p