Modern Vespa

I just got a matte silver 2016 Piaggio MP3 500 but it's got some scratches on the side. Does anyone happen to know a silver paint that's a close match or someone that sells touch-up paint?

The dealer can get you little bottles of factory touch up paint, but that is usually for paint chips.

For something as big as the scuff on that rear case, you'll need to have a automotive paint shop prep and respray the top lid.

Appreciate the response. Yeah, I figured I'd have to look at either a dealer or paint shop. A little bottle might work, won't look the best but I can at least flow it into the scratches there. That top box might just have to painted flat black or something.

Do not some auto-shops in the US make up paint in rattle-cans? Just give them the paint code. Easy enough in the UK at least.

Using a Piaggio paint code in the US?

Yeah right, good luck with that one.

I know that Vespa Motorsports (a official Piaggio dealer) in San Diego outsources all their paint related jobs due to the regulatory nature of the job, and the tricks involved in getting old and new paint to match.

As JimC notes, most auto paint shops in the US will mix up smaller quantities of paint such as pints and have the capability to make up spray cans. No they don't use Vespa paint codes but they do scan the actual paint on your scooter or of a part you bring in. That has the advantage that they are matching the actual color of your scooter now rather than what it may have looked like when it was originally painted.

Whatever the case may be, these factory matt paint jobs are a lot harder to work with (apply, maintain, restore/repair) than the traditional clearcoated paint jobs.

I highly doubt any rattle can will come anywhere close, computer matched or not.

no the aren't i 've even done spot repair paint jobs on matt finishes no problem at all just let it blend in the matt clearcoat will do the rest

And there is a database online for all manufactors of all automative paint Piaggio doesn't make there on paint

Sorry, but I'm gonna need to disagree with that.

A few years back, I had a Mercedes service loaner car which had a factory matt finish. Inside the owner's manual (and the loaner rental agreement) it stated several things re. the paint finish.

From what I remember, it had several warnings about keeping the matt finish in good order. A few are listed below

1) Wash vehicle regularly and do not allow dirt & contaminants to build up
2) Do not use automated vehicle wash installations that contact the vehicle body
3) Hand wash whenever possible
4) Use a liquid washing solution made for vehicles exclusively
5) Do not use household detergents
6) Do not polish vehicle
7) Do not apply wax to vehicle

There were a few other, but these are the ones that I remember.

how many vehicles did paint?

And there are special cleaning products for matt finshes

It was nothing special, just a run of the mill A or CLA class Euro sh!tbox you see on every corner of the street.

Regardless, if special products are required just for use on matt finishes then that tells me those paint jobs are a lot more fragile and weaker than a traditional clearcoat.

Sort of like teeth without enamel.

No but normal cleaning products have stuff in them to let the paint shine a matt finish should not shine so they keep it out thats all

The paint underneed the clear coat is the same only the clearcoat is different

Found this interesting article. Pretty much confirms the warnings listed on the rental agreement by the dealer.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/flat-finish-how-you-should-tend-to-matte-automotive-paint-161429/#:~:text=Compared%20to%20glossy%20paint%20finishes,thoroughly%20after%20each%20car%20wash.

Duh 9 years old artikel i m using cleaning products for matt since 2011

For anyone reading this that is interested I found a close match(may be the exact same). I used some touch up paint I had for my black/matte silver Moto Guzzi Griso 1200SE. I had bought the paint from TouchUpDirect and it's labeled Moto Guzzi MOT005 Matte Silver. It's just a little tube but there was plenty in there for the road rash along the side. Worked well and looks close.