Color Mismatch

Cause


  •   Original finish has "drifted" from manufacturer's standard.
  •   Old finish weathered and oxidized.
  •   Color over or under reduced.
  •   Improper spray procedures.
  •   Color not properly stirred or shaken.
  •   Improper spray gun set up.
  •   Inaccurate mixing of the color formula.
  •   "Panel" painting instead of blending.
  •   Evaluating color under a light source other than "color corrected" lighting or natural light.
  •   Adjusting a color before it has been sprayed, or adjusting a basecoat before applying clearcoat.


Repair


If color is close enough to blend:

  •   prepare adjacent panel(s) for blending, then
  •   blend color into adjacent panels.

If color must be tinted:

  •   tint the color for a blendable match,
  •   prepare adjacent panel(s) for blending, then
  •   respray the repair, blending into the adjacent panel(s).


Prevention


  •   Check alternate color selector for variances. Choose the alternate that provides a blendable match.
  •   All color must be viewed under equal gloss; compound or polish the area to be matched.
  •   Thin/reduce according to label direction.
  •   Follow label directions for proper application of color coat.
  •   Stir or shake materials thoroughly to be sure all pigments and metallics are in solution and suspension.
  •   Refer to product label or data sheet for spray gun, fluid nozzle, and air cap recommendations.
  •   Recheck color code, formula number, formula weights before mixing colors.
  •   Spray a test panel prior to application to determine if blending or tinting is necessary.
  •   Always use natural daylight or color corrected lights to make color matching decisions.
  •   All color must be sprayed out for an accurate evaluation. Basecoats must have clearcoat applied. Check color from all angles, face (90                degrees) and side tone (20-60 degrees).