ohhh im going to ask then, so they wont scam me. I just like the original metallic blue. Keep it a stock sleeper. Thanks CRE for replying and everyone else.

I probably shouldn't say "many"... I know people at a couple higher end shops in my area who have devices similar to what I used in the graphic design business for color measurements and calibrations. I've wondered (but never asked) how well those things do with metallics.

Cre, i dont want to be the guy who doesnt know much about paint and work, what should i say? Give me an estimate, what are the procedures, what tool are u going to use (whats it called)?

and thanks Cre for giving ur time to respond =)

I can't give you an estimate. I don't do body work. Besides, even if I did I haven't seen the car in person.

Just Google "Automotive paint meter" and you'll see a lot of devices used for measuring color and paint content.

I read it as he was asking you if they were the sort of questions to be asking the guy, so as not to come across as ripe to be ripped off... I think that was the jist of it anyway :S

LOL, hurdurr.... My bad.

Yeah, get a couple quotes, ask about their confidence in matching the paint and how the determine the right mix, ask around for reviews and check online. Not much different than finding a mechanic, dentist or hooker. ;)

thanks ma70 clearing it up. ya cre thats what i meant. paint meter okay. yea the thing im worried about is my friend, who has a m3. told me that they cant remove the rust (special pens) , and they just paint over it. Surely is a way to smooth it out and stuff. Long process, well is it weird for me to request OEM toyota, even though they will say "its discontinued". Like tell them to look @ the code and reflect on it? Ive see some online. Might in the end just get an estimate and go to another shop.

Those cheap touchup pens don't help with rust no but if you take it to a bodyshop they should flat the area down, get rid of the rust & use a rust killer too. Depends on how much you want to spend really but no bodyshop should paint over rust, it'll just bleed through & start bubbling up again in a few weeks if they did

wow, thats a really good point. Thanks again guys for pouring some of ur knowledge on me. Today is the day i am going to get an estimate, gonan ask so specifically.

I got my estimate, its about 1000-1400.