I got my car back from the shop for some pothole induced damages. And we got the insurance company to even replace my front bumper and to get it painted. Well, even with factory silver the new bumper is about 2 shades darker than the rest of the car. I mean its not terrible, but is noticeable and I'm rather OCD when it comes to symmetry and things matching up. Is this a common problem with paint?

 

It should be dead on if they matched the paint codes properly. Unless, the rest of the car's paint has been worn thin or lost some lust in the sun. Thats might be why the new paint looks different?

 

Is the bumper cover a Direct OEM from Audi? Or a aftermarket? The material they us to make the bumper cover are different that's why you get the darker color.

Here a link where you enter your Vin# and it displays all your cars info even OEM Color.
Free VIN Decoder - Vehicle Identification Number Report

Hope this helps.

 

Although the factory color coded paint on a 10 year old car will look different, a qualified body shop will match paint to the existing paint. It will never be 100% but it should not be different by "2 shades".

 

The car was originally from Texas so there is a possibility that happened.

When it is light out tomorrow I will post some pictures and see what you think. The shop did a good job at making it smooth and with bubbles or anything. Maybe he got the wrong paint.

 

I'm also in Texas! What part?

Try wax on the unpainted surface and see if the color starts to match. If it does, then I would say the heat has taken its toll.

 

I'm actually in Ohio. Somehow the car ended up here but it was originally from Texas.