Paint code match on late model silver is driving me crazy

Had a 2024 Civic in the shop last week, silver paint code NH797M, and the blend never quite lined up with the quarter panel. I checked the mix twice, used the same gun, same temp, but the metallic flake sat different under the bay lights. Turns out the factory changed the clear coat thickness halfway through the model run, so the fresh blend always reads a shade lighter unless you add a coat of clear and knock it back with 2000 grit. Anyone else seen this on the newer metallics, or am I the only one fighting this?

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zarapalmer3d ago

Try checking the ground coat, not the clear, that's where the flake shift hides.