Chapter 17

Color Matching
 Objectives

• Describe color theory and how it relates to

refinishing
• Define the terms relating to color
• Describe the use of a computerized color
matching system
• Make let-down and spray-out test panels
• Explain how to tint solid and metallic colors
• Summarize the repair procedures for multistage
finishes
 Introduction

• Color matching is the steps needed to make new

paint look like existing paint
• Even if you use body color code numbers and
correct paint formula, the new paint may not be
exactly the same color as the old
• With today’s multistage paints and factory
robotic painting, it can be difficult to match colors
• This chapter will help you develop skills to match
any type of paint
 Color Theory

• Color is caused by how objects reflect light at

different frequencies into our eyes
• When the eye sees a colored object, the object
is absorbing all of the light except for the color
that it appears to be
• A black object absorbs almost all light, while
polished chrome absorbs almost none
• White light is a mixture of various colors of light
• When light passes through a prism, it is broken
down into its separate colors, the color spectrum
 Lighting
• Sunlight contains the entire visible spectrum of
light and since vehicles will be seen in sunlight, it
should be used to make color evaluations
– Incandescent light has more yellows, oranges
– Fluorescent has more violets and reds
• Lumen ratings indicate brightness and lamps are
normally between 1000 and 2000 lumens
• Lamps may also be rated for a light temperature,
measured in “Kelvin” – daylight is 6,200 Kelvin
– Choose lamps that are closest to sunlight
 Color Blindness

• Color blindness makes it difficult for a person’s

eye to see colors accurately
– Nearly 10% of all men have trouble seeing one or
more colors
• To do finish matching, the technician must be
able to recognize colors as they actually are
• It is important to see the overtones within a
color, including shades of darkness or light
 Dimensions of Color

• To minimize confusion when painting, color

should be based on value, hue, and chroma
• The color tree is used to locate colors three-
dimensionally when matching colors
• Value refers to the degree of lightness and the
value scale runs vertically through the tree
• Hue is also called color, cast, or tint, and moves
around the outer edge of the tree
• Chroma refers to the level of intensity and
moves in spokes that radiate outward
 Metamerism

• Metamerism is how different light sources affect

the appearance of paint pigments and metallics
• A paint may have some red in it not noticeable in
daylight, but obvious under street lights
• Color change results from new paint and OEM
color formulas being made of different pigments
– This causes pigments to look different under
different light sources
 Color Matching

• OEM paint colors can vary slightly from area to

area, especially with metallics
• There can be a difference in the two finishes
even if they are officially the same color
• Whatever the reason for color variance, you
must match the vehicle color itself
• A color directory contains color chips, paint
mixing formulas and other information
– Locate vehicle paint code
– Identify color chip next to it
 Paint Formulas

• Paint formula gives the amount of each

ingredient needed to match an OEM color
• Basecoat patch is a small area on the surface
without clear to enable to check for color match
– Sometimes located under the deck lid or hood
• Suppliers may have newer paints ready-mixed
• Older colors may have to be custom-mixed to
order at the paint distributor
• An intermix system is a full set of pigments and
solvents mixed at collision repair shop
Computerized Color Matching Systems

• Many spectrophotometer systems can input

color data into a computer
• The computer can use its stored data to
determine how to mix or tint the color
– Compares actual color to a set of color
formulations
– Recommends a tint in the formula
– Keeps a record of the mixing or tinting procedure
if vehicle returns
 Color Variance Programs

• If a particular OEM finish variation is noted often

enough, the paint manufacturer may develop a
color variation formula to match the OEM finish
• Variance chips are several samples of slightly
different colors to help match paints
– Lay chips on vehicle under proper lighting
– Use number code for closest matching chip to
mix color
 Spray Methods Affect Color

• Refinishing technician can control a number of

variables to match new color to existing finish
• Varying spraying technique can affect color
• Technicians who spray wet end up with a darker
color than those who spray drier, especially with
metallics
 Matching Solid Colors

• For many years vehicles were solid colors,

which reflect light in only one direction
• Matching solid colors is easier than matching
metallic or mica paints
• A mismatch in a panel repair usually shows up
more than a mismatch in a spot repair
– Spot repairs are blended into surrounding areas
• If there is a slight mismatch, blend coat and last
colorcoat will allow show-through
 Matching Metallic Finishes

• Metallic color contains small flakes of aluminum

suspended in liquid
• Position of flakes and thickness of paint affect
overall color
• Dry application of paint makes color appear
lighter and more silver
• Metallic colors must be stirred and mixed
thoroughly
• To darken a metallic color, increase fluid flow,
decrease fan width, air pressure, travel speed
and use a slower evaporating solvent
Figure 17-7. Metallic flakes in a color will reflect almost all light back out. The
location and orientation of the flakes is critical to matching metallic finishes. If the
metallic spray is too dry, the paint will look more silver because the flakes will not
settle. If you spray too wet, the silver flakes will sink deeper into the color.
 Matching Multistage Finishes

• Multistage finishes consist of E-coat, colored

primer coats, colored basecoats, mica
intermediate coats or pearlcoats, clearcoats
• Mica and carbon graphic pigments have special
evaluation requirements
• Mica may be coated with titanium dioxide
• Thickness of titanium dioxide coating determines
colors that are reflected
 Zone Concept

• Zone concept divides horizontal surfaces into

zones defined by character lines and moldings
• Requires refinishing entire zone with basecoat,
mica intermediate coats, and clearcoats
 Color Flop

• Flop, or flip-flop, refers to the change in hue

when viewing from head-on and from side
• Flop occurs in paints containing metallic
pigments – solid colors do not exhibit flop
• Position of metallics in paint film can cause color
of paint to change
• Correct the problem by adjusting spraying
technique to compensate for this effect
• Addition of a small amount of white eliminates
sharp contrast from light to dark
Figure 17-9. Flop occurs when a metallic or multistage
color looks different when viewed at different angles. Note
how this metallic color appears different on this curved
bumper.
 Checking Color Match

• Spray-out panel checks paint color and shows

effects of technician’s technique on a test piece
• Apply a primer that matches primer on vehicle,
and apply a basecoat to full hiding
• Apply a clearcoat to half panel, and allow to fully
dry before evaluating
• Uncleared section can be used to check color
match with any noncleared patch on vehicle
Figure 17-10. A spray-out panel tests the color match before applying
the color to the vehicle. You must spray the test piece exactly as you
are going to paint the vehicle body. By holding the test panel next to
the vehicle color, you can see what the repair color will look like and
whether the paint color must be changed.
 Checking Color Match (continued)

• To make a let-down panel, mask each layer to

apply different amounts of basecoat and
clearcoat
• Duplicate your actual spray techniques
• Compare different shades on let-down panel
with existing paint on vehicle
• Once made, let-down panel can be kept and
used on vehicles with same color code
• On the back of panel note color code, gun
settings, and technician’s name
Figure 17-11. A let-down panel tests a multistage paint
system for match before spraying the vehicle. You must
mask each layer to apply different amounts of basecoat and
clearcoat. You can then use the panel as a large paint chip
for comparison to the vehicle’s finish.
 Blending Clearcoats

• Clearcoats are not perfectly clear – they change

the appearance of a color
• Blend basecoat and apply clear to entire panel
• You may have to step-out the clear if it must be
blended
• You should clear entire surface of horizontal
panels
• Blend into smallest area possible to help hide
repair
 Fluorine Clearcoat Repairs

• Compound or sand with 1200 – 1500 grit paper

• Apply 2 to 3 coats of basecoat until hiding is
achieved
• Apply color blender if necessary, and dry at 140
degrees F for 20 minutes
• Apply 3 to 4 coats of fluorine clearcoat, dry at
60-70 degrees F for 10 minutes between coats
• After applying final coat, force dry at 170
degrees F for 45 minutes, polish with fine
compounds
 Tricoat Spot Repair

• Halo effect is an unwanted shiny ring or halo that

appears around a pearl or mica color repair
• Caused by the paint being wetter in middle and
drier near outer edges
• Avoid a halo by applying first coat of mica to
basecoat only
• Allow a larger area in which to blend
intermediate mica coats
• Keep tricoat repair area as small as possible
 Tricoat Panel Repair

• Apply primer to area over the body filler, and

apply adhesion promoter to a large area
• Apply two or more coats of basecoat to areas to
full hiding, extending each coat slightly beyond
the previous one
• Extend each mica intermediate coat beyond
previous one, with only last coat extending into
adjacent panel
• Apply two coats of clear to entire repair area,
ending at panel ends
 Blending Mica Coats

• Apply mica intermediate coat to area covered by

basecoat
• Apply a second mica intermediate coat well
beyond edge of first coat
• Apply a third mica intermediate coat so that it
extends to between first and second coats
• Apply a fourth mica intermediate coat to just
beyond edge of second coat
• Zone repair is an option that may be required on
certain vehicles
 Matching Mica Colors

• Many base-clear finishes contain mica pigments,

and some are especially challenging to match
• Because finish may not provide full hiding, color
of the primer may show through
• If technician applies color to full hiding, there
may be a color mismatch
• Color effect test panel is required for base-clear
finishes that contain mica
 Why a Color Mismatch?

• Tinting should be used only as a last resort

• If color mismatch, check whether finish has
faded
• Check that vehicle’s paint code and stock
number of color are correct
• Check that pigment and metallic flakes were
properly mixed, and that correct amount of
reducer was added
• Check that test panel dried, and that color
comparison was made after applying clear
 Tinting

• Tinting is used to adjust color variations in

shades to match color from manufacturer
• Tinting is used to adjust color on an aged or
weathered finish
• Tinting makes a color for which there is no
formula, or for which there are no paint codes
• Before tinting, determine if a color variance chip
or formula is available
• Some paint manufacturers produce metallic
tinting bases to correct a specific problem
Figure 17-17. Tinting can be complex. Take your time and
compare the tinted color to the color on the vehicle. One or more
test panels may be needed on hard-to-match color, especially
metallic and pearl colors.
 Summary

• Same shade of paint will look very different

under incandescent and fluorescent lights
• Very important to view a color in daylight or
under a balanced artificial light
• Color should be based on value, hue and
chroma
• Two ways to check color match are:
– Spray-out panels: used with conventional paints
– Let-down panels: used with multistage paints