Hey guys, what are your thoughts on Matrix paint? My local body supply shop carries that stuff for $80-$120 per quart of basecoat (depending on color). The overall reviews online appear to be solid, but I'm just wondering if we have any first-hand experience on this board. I plan on repainting my 91 Trans Am convertible with the factory medium-green metallic color. Thanks for any feedback!

 

Dont take the blue pill and go to your nearest PPG retailer.

 

I got two gallons that's what I am using to paint my car I have seen a few cars painted with this paint that just look amazing

 

Why, you could get into the Omni/Shopline products for that price.

 

Matrix is great stuff. My buddy painted his corvette using it and it's amazing. I don't believe it's SAE approved, but that doesn't mean it's not good.



This was taken at Autorama in Detroit earlier this year. He took 1st place in mild sport. I believe it's a 73 vette.

 

Matrix was started by a PPG employee who was high enough in the company to have access to the paint formulations. He left PPG and stole the formulations. They story goes that he was in cahoots with another employee from Dupont who again stole formulations from Dupont. Matrix is a blend of PPG and Dupont formulations. The problem is that PPG keeps moving forward in formulations while Matrix can do nothing but sell you an old PPG formula. Additionally, Matrix who doesnt have the equipment that the bigger companies have, has batching issues (like Transtar).

The best part, I priced the two brands, PPG Omni/Shopline is cheaper than Matrix. I priced Omni/Shopline not Deltron because a guy who is looking at Matrix is already looking for a value brand.

Why would a guy pay more for the older formulation of the same product?

 

Killer car... might be a 72...73 had a chrome rear bumper and rubber (plastic? whatever) nose

 

Cause shop line is junk??? Duh. I painted my 84 with a blue pearl matrix. And my dads 70 plum crazy challenger. Both look great. I didn't use matrix clear. I used Crest clear. But the base coat looks great.

 

^^^ That looks perfect! The metallic layout is just right. Do you get your matrix base online or locally? I just priced two quarts of Deltron base for mine (red) and they want almost $500 for 2qt and reducer!!! NO FRIGGIN WAY IM DOIN THAT!

 

The Corvette and Camaro came out awesome!! I'm impressed. Perhaps I'll stick with matrix... especially since the body supply shop 5 minutes away from me carries it.

 

Only way to go

 

Youre not following. Matrix is the exact same (older) formulation as Omni/Shopline. Only Matrix is an older formulation. Omni/Shopline has advanced while Matrix has not. Matrix sells you the outdated formula for more money than the current (formula) Omni/Shopline. Again, Matrix is well know to have batching issues. Matrix is not capable of reproducing millions of gallons with the level of consitancy that PPG is cabable of.

You say that you like Matrix, and Shopline is junk. Matrix is literally the stolen Shopline formula. The only diffrences are that Matrix is outdated, has batching issues, and you paid more it than you would have with Shopline.

Again, I would recomend Deltron, but a guy who looks at Matrix is already looking into a "value line". Shopline is the more advaced, cheaper formula. Why pay more for outdated, inconsistant paint?

Matrix isnt a bad paint, there are just better, cheaper options out there.

 

http://www.autobodysupply.net/category-s/137.htm

 

Just another example of matrix. My 79 was painted with it. And actually I had to order another gallon after the initial purchase a year later and it is an exact match.

 

WOW that Trans Am came out awesome!! Not to go too far off topic but I'm assuming that you swapped the nose on that car?

 

Correct it is a 77 nose on a 79. Still has 79 tail lights and 79 wheel spoilers.

On topic with the paint I am very happy how my car came out. The color is very deep and rich with tons of metal flake. In the sun it is stunning. I plan on using the same paint for my 85 this winter/spring.

 

That color on the trans am is one of my favorite all time Blues. Nice job.

 

#1. I have used shopline paint. I painted the front flip and engine bay on my 95 Camaro wih it. Also painted my blazer door and bumpers with it. It's not bad.
#2. I have painted my car, a 81 Monte Carlo, and a custom 80 c10. All with matrix. And both the monte and c10 where at Detroit autorama. 2010. And 2012.
#3 you have no idea what I payed for my paint. And if I told you. You wouldn't believe me.

So all I'm saying is matrix is not junk. And is not out dated. I know a guy that mixes at the factory. It's 5 minutes from my house. I have used DuPont, PPG, glasurit, matrix, transstar, crest, and I work at a body shop. We use glasurit and Transtar.

 

Also painted This Camaro engine bay and under hood with matrix.

 

Digging up an old thread. Any of you guys who painted these cars with Matrix post a pic of what it looks like currently? I'd like to know how it holds up 5-6 years later

 

My car lives indoors but it still looks the same as the images above.

 

Hard to tell from pics, but it certainly looks good in them. Thanks for responding . Did you paint the 85 too?

Hopefully someone else will chime in who has more of a daily driver situation.