Need the paint code for the genpu lower grille

[jeopardy98]

Dealer is giving me some bumper plugs because they drilled my plate crooked and I am just going to put on a tow hook mount for the plate. They said they can't find a paint code for the lower grille. Does anyone know what the paint code is or what color it is? Thanks in advance.

[SLOWHATCH]

I know this much. 2010 grill is different than the 2011-2012.
2010 seems to be a brownish color vs the 2011+ is more of a charcoal grey color. Why not just plasti dip it? I'm thinking of doing it to mine but I have clear bra shield on it so idk if I should or want to.

[SubyGF]

I asked my dealer the day after I bought my car. They didn't know so I called up Mazda NA. Apparently the color code does not exist.........

However, I've been doing research and I believe 40K - Tuxedo Black Metallic is a close match (I have not seen this color in person though...).

37D / JF - Mazda Comet Gray Mica may also be a contender though I think this is too light.

[jeopardy98]

Wow, it sure would be great to know for sure. These things are obviously being painted at some point.

[JTMS3]

Originally Posted by SLOWHATCH I know this much. 2010 grill is different than the 2011-2012. 2010 seems to be a brownish color vs the 2011+ is more of a charcoal grey color. Why not just plasti dip it? I'm thinking of doing it to mine but I have clear bra shield on it so idk if I should or want to.

It is? My stock grill isn't brown at all, it is a charcoal grey and was manufactured May 09. I think a brown grill on a bright blue PU would just make that shit even uglier. You colorblind bro?

[SubyGF]

Originally Posted by jeopardy98 Wow, it sure would be great to know for sure. These things are obviously being painted at some point.

I hear ya man. I'm blown away that everyone that I have talked to at Mazda doesn't have the answer...except that I can purchase a replacement grill at ~$150....right...

I am in the process of filling in the holes that my dealership drilled for the licence plate so I will be ordering a few touch up pens to find out what the best match is. If I find a good match (or hopefully the match), I will feedback.

[SLOWHATCH]

Originally Posted by JTMS3 It is? My stock grill isn't brown at all, it is a charcoal grey and was manufactured May 09. I think a brown grill on a bright blue PU would just make that shit even uglier. You colorblind bro?

Being color blind is certainly a possibility. I have a hard time distinguishing grey's and blue's sometimes. I'll snap a pic and post it up. I agree, it's ugly.

Ok, lets see if you guys can tell what I mean from these pics. I was looking at another locals front grill the other day and his is a 2011 and has a nice grayish color to it. Almost like a gel coat. Mine almost looks painted, even though it has the clear shield on it. Ignore the bugs and little white specs on it, my car is actually dirty today because it got rained on last night before I made it home.

[jeopardy98]

Well I figured out why the colors seem different. I emailed Mazda North America in regards to this and here is the response that I got:

Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations.

I have reached out to our dealer assistance groups to determine whether there is a paint code for the front grille. I have just come to learn that the front grille's color is actually molded-in during the manufacturing process. Unfortunately we do not have a paint code for this piece. I'm terribly sorry to have to confirm this news.

Please do not hesitate to contact me directly should you have additional questions. Again, thanks for contacting Mazda North American Operations.

Regards,

Terry
Representative, Customer Assistance
Mazda North American Operations
(800) 222-5500 ext 1142

[Spoofmastafly]

There is a mazda grey in a spray can that matches well, but the guy that used it painted his rear bumper so you cant notice a difference. Id tell that dealer ship to replace your grill insert, fuck bumper plugs!

[turbo test]

Originally Posted by jeopardy98 Well I figured out why the colors seem different. I emailed Mazda North America in regards to this and here is the response that I got: Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I have reached out to our dealer assistance groups to determine whether there is a paint code for the front grille. I have just come to learn that the front grille's color is actually molded-in during the manufacturing process. Unfortunately we do not have a paint code for this piece. I'm terribly sorry to have to confirm this news. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly should you have additional questions. Again, thanks for contacting Mazda North American Operations. Regards, Terry Representative, Customer Assistance Mazda North American Operations (800) 222-5500 ext 1142

hey if your interested in an entirely new lower grille i will sell you the one currently on my car. i have a replacement that will be going to the paint shop (gonna get a semi gloss black). i'll sell you it. no dents, hole, been on the car maybe 500miles.

if your interested pm me and we'll talk.

[CWP_MS3]

Originally Posted by jeopardy98 Well I figured out why the colors seem different. I emailed Mazda North America in regards to this and here is the response that I got: Thank you for contacting Mazda North American Operations. I have reached out to our dealer assistance groups to determine whether there is a paint code for the front grille. I have just come to learn that the front grille's color is actually molded-in during the manufacturing process. Unfortunately we do not have a paint code for this piece. I'm terribly sorry to have to confirm this news. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly should you have additional questions. Again, thanks for contacting Mazda North American Operations. Regards, Terry Representative, Customer Assistance Mazda North American Operations (800) 222-5500 ext 1142

You should ask him what he can do for you, in terms of getting a new grille, since your local Mazda dealer drilled it on crooked and refuses to replace it. Instead they'd rather put plugs in it, which you find unacceptable.

Might get you a free grill out of it, dealing with Mazda corporation. It works for my customers all the time.

Originally Posted by turbo test hey if your interested in an entirely new lower grille i will sell you the one currently on my car. i have a replacement that will be going to the paint shop (gonna get a semi gloss black). i'll sell you it. no dents, hole, been on the car maybe 500miles. if your interested pm me and we'll talk.

Does it have the holes from the tag?

[JTMS3]

or you can by a new one for $110 shipped..

2010 MAZDA 3 MAZDASPEED FRONT BUMPER GRILLE 2.3L TURBO | eBay

[jeopardy98]

Originally Posted by JTMS3 or you can by a new one for $110 shipped.. 2010 MAZDA 3 MAZDASPEED FRONT BUMPER GRILLE 2.3L TURBO | eBay

Apparently there are 3 different part numbers. I had to give them the VIN for them to figure out which one I needed and the 2010 and 2011 aren't the same. I have no idea why but they aren't according to Mazda.

[turbo test]

i wouldnt deal through ebay if you decide to buy online.

onlincemazdaparts.com has genuine oem for i think 87 bucks plus shipping.


i paid $7.50 freight charge from the east coast to west.

http://onlinemazdaparts.com/parts/20...w=31&maxRow=10

[JTMS3]

Originally Posted by turbo test i wouldnt deal through ebay if you decide to buy online. onlincemazdaparts.com has genuine oem for i think 87 bucks plus shipping. i paid $7.50 freight charge from the east coast to west. 2012 MAZDA Mazda3 Parts - Online Mazda Parts

Other then the price for shipping there isn't anything wrong with the ebay one as it is a genuine grille as well. I purchased the ebay one and turned into this a while ago....

[makjur]

I'm going to get a color match done on my front grille to transfer to the rear bumper lower area that people usually plasti-dip
Since I was rear-ended, I had the body shop hook me up since they had to paint the new bumper anyway - since there was no code (as mentioned before) they eye-balled it, and the color is a few shades lighter than I want it to be.
Once I get the color match done, they will repaint it for me proper for no additional cost.
I'll post the color info I get in case its of any use to anyone in the future

[OaksMPS]

Originally Posted by gitarpik I'm going to get a color match done on my front grille to transfer to the rear bumper lower area that people usually plasti-dip Since I was rear-ended, I had the body shop hook me up since they had to paint the new bumper anyway - since there was no code (as mentioned before) they eye-balled it, and the color is a few shades lighter than I want it to be. Once I get the color match done, they will repaint it for me proper for no additional cost. I'll post the color info I get in case its of any use to anyone in the future

News on that color code? I'm planning to have my fog light surrounds done in a matching charcoal color and don't want the body shop to fuck it up.
Thanks

[Spoofmastafly]

Originally Posted by Hooligan News on that color code? I'm planning to have my fog light surrounds done in a matching charcoal color and don't want the body shop to fuck it up. Thanks

Like i mentioned earlier, there is no color code for the front grill. The color is mixed in with the plastic prior to molding.(each batch is slightly different) The closet match is either Mazda Metallic in a spray can at Autozone/orileys or having a paint shop eyeball a custom match.

[OaksMPS]

Originally Posted by Spoofmastafly Like i mentioned earlier, there is no color code for the front grill. The color is mixed in with the plastic prior to molding.(each batch is slightly different) The closet match is either Mazda Metallic in a spray can at Autozone/orileys or having a paint shop eyeball a custom match.

Yes, I understand there is no actual paint code for the grille, because the grill isn't painted.. the color is molded through the plastic entirely. However, gitarpik said he was going to try to get a paint match and get the code of the match for us, so we wouldn't have to deal with paint/body shops eyeballing it wrong. Merely checking up to see if he ever got that.

[makjur]

Originally Posted by Hooligan News on that color code? I'm planning to have my fog light surrounds done in a matching charcoal color and don't want the body shop to fuck it up. Thanks

i had this done, but its specific to PGP brand paints
they used a color matching camera to make a chart for a paint blend
the chart was crazy, had white, silver flake, violet, blue... about 15 different colors combined
the software they used named the color "shadow silver"

I looked around for the picture i took of the color chart but I cant find it

[OaksMPS]

Originally Posted by gitarpik i had this done, but its specific to PGP brand paints they used a color matching camera to make a chart for a paint blend the chart was crazy, had white, silver flake, violet, blue... about 15 different colors combined the software they used named the color "shadow silver" I looked around for the picture i took of the color chart but I cant find it

Well, it was worth a shot. I was thinking of getting the silver fog bezels done in body color (pu black) and the larger flat black fog surrounds done to match the grill, guess when the time comes I'll have it eyeballed like everyone else. Thanks for the effort!

[jeopardy98]

I just had them spray mine black mica along with the rest of the bumper.

[Geo13]

I found a paint swatch in a book specific to Mazda colors (every color code used) at Pro Finishes in Va Beach.. The gray was listed or something indentical to it. I stopped worrying cause I went with flat black.
$0.02