Evening all,
Recently I purchased a rattle can of Classic Red paint from Halfords. Upon using it I foundd it to be several shades darker than the existing paint on my car.Looking at other Red 5s I’m certain my car is Classic Red therefore my questions are : Has anyone else had this experience with Halfords Classic Red ? If so, is it possible to purchase a more faithful reproduction and if so where from ??
Thanks in anticipation.
There may be a little colour fade.
If not.
If you know the colour code, Halfords should be able to mix the paint up for you, though it will be a little more expensive.
you might find this site helpful…
http://www.carpaintrepair.co.uk/index.html
I had the same problem, and actually when I bought a 2nd can it was slightly darker than the first!!!
These are the ones they mix up for you instore I’m on about, have never found the Classic Red off the shelf…
Had this problem a few times with Halfords aerosol paint. Now whenever I want a touch up paint I usually pop to the local auto paint supplies shop, they’ll mix up whatever colour you want if you take the paint code down there. Always been a pretty close match so far and not really any more expensive than Halfords. I did buy a small pot of touch up from MX5 Parts last week though - Velocity Red - which was a pretty good match.
I used Halfords for red as well, and it was carp. Try www.paints4u.co.uk
Couple of other threads on the subject:
http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/t/7668.aspx
http://www.mx5oc.co.uk/forum/forums/p/42589/302347.aspx
There are several “shades” of SU Classic Red.
Confusingly, Mazda uses the description “Classic Red” on at least two different paints; Mk2 Classic Red is a different code, but the same name. Some trade counters will tell me there are 2 different SU Reds on their lists; one slightly darker, one slightly lighter. Add to the fact that red fades the worst out of any of the colours, so most touch ups will appear darker. So it depends on the condition of your paintwork which will be the most suitable.
Halfords does get knocked, for being a little bit more expensive, but none of those specialist car paint counters will be open on a sunday, and most are closed after 12 on a saturday, the days most normal home DIYers need to get paint. Most Halfords branches are open well into the evening. And the motor factors; most of them will use the same or similar system as the Holts setup found in Halfords; ie. a standard range of pigments, mixed according to weight using a set of digital scales. Typically, everything is covered in paint (Halfords or the factors), and typically the person filling the cans doesn’t do that too often.
Halfords, and these motorfactors, will allow you to compare the mix before they fill the aerosol, so you can adjust it to match the actual red of your car. The filler cap on the NA is really easy to detach, and take along with you.
I’ve done both; paint from Halfords and from specialist paint suppliers. Halfords has always mixed me up well matching Montego Blue and Brave Blue Mica. Convenience has a price.
That Holts stuff is also available from Fleabay for £7 a pop if you’re willing to wait… and take the risk.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-CLASSIC-RED-AEROSOL-SPRAY-PAINT-SU-HOLTS-/320390549273
Agree and the wipers are cheap 
Are they? I get Lucas 450mm items from my local factor for £4.98 inc VAT per pair, delivered free 
Incidentally I bought a can of halfords ‘Classic Red’ that I swore had the SU code on it and it was surely too dark. Haven’t had the gumption to use it on anything yet!
My Mondeo was serviced at Halfords 3 months ago
damn leasing co. It won’t be going back
I knew Carlisle was behind the times (or infront?)
This thread has been edited to remove posts not relevant to the subject nor helpful in the slightest to the discussion, please keep it on track, if in doubt read the forum rules about what is acceptable behaviour.
Thanks all the help and replies chaps, very helpful and informative as usual. I guess the moral of the story is don’t buy paint from Halfords !!
I think the problem is it is recipe mixed by weight, not colour matched. I bought Mazda Brilliant Black from there it was perfect,
the reason seems to be a simple recipe, the only colour in it is black, so no mistake really possible
Well yes and no Alan, if you are in a rush on a Sunday and dont mind getting the wrong coloured pre-made aerosols off the shelf then the price is ok. I recently had to paint Lightning MxQueens wheels and ran- out of the correct SU Classic Red (thought I had more at home than I actually had…) so bought some cans of a slightly pinkier Fiat red to do the front faces, nobody has ever noticed, must be all the camoflage going on…
Dr. Eunos 
