Getting Your Refinishing & Colour Matching Right
We hear it from our customers all the time. Colour matching issues tend to be the trickiest problem in the car refinishing industry, and the main reason for costly re-works and dissatisfied customers. In most instances, the poor colour-matching results are due to the lighter or darker appearance of the final coat. So, to help our customers deliver the best colour-matching results at all times, we’ve come up with these tips based on the years of experience by our staff.
Correct Spray Gun Pressure
When it comes to spray guns, many operators don’t take into account the importance of the spray gun inlet pressure. To get the best measurement possible, you need to use a good quality, digital manometer for every base or topcoat application.
If you don’t take this precise measurement seriously, you could end up with a darker colour result (if you apply lower than the required pressure) or a lighter colour if the pressure is too high.
Humidity Levels
Top quality paint manufacturers, like those offered by IPS Paint Supplies, will include details of the ideal humidity levels to achieve the best application of their products. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to control humidity levels, particularly in the UK where the weather can be so unpredictable.
The ideal levels for the application of car refinishing paints is between 30% and 50%. If the humidity levels go below 30%, you will get a darker result; and a lighter one if the levels go above 50%.
The best way forward is to adjust the viscosity of the application based on the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also consider switching between higher or lower air volume depending on the humidity levels.
Best Temperature
As is the case with humidity, manufacturers will advise on the most suitable temperature levels when it comes to refinishing applications. Fortunately, room temperature in a workshop can be controlled much more easily than the humidity but there are still ideal parameters to follow.
Similar to humidity levels, if the temperature in your workshop is too low (25° C to 20° C), the refinish results will be darker. And if the temperature is too high (28° C to 35° C) the finish will be lighter. The ideal temperature should be regulated between 20° C to 25° C.
Once again you should adjust the viscosity based on the instructions from paint manufacturer. You could also look at changing nozzle size and air cap with lower or higher air flow depending on the ambient temperature.
Other Considerations
Some other considerations include:
- Under thinning will cause darker colour shades, while over thinning will produce lighter than needed variations. Always follow the manufacturers’ technical instructions, labels and manuals; and use mixing cups with measurement marking, scales and mixing rulers.
- Every sprayer has his or her own style and spraying technique; but nevertheless, the distance between the spray gun and the vehicle’s surface needs to be taken into consideration, with the recommended range between 15 to 25 cm. If the gun is too close to the surface being sprayed, the colour will be darker and so lighter if sprayed too far away.
- Similarly, the speed by which the paint is applied can be down to the individual but again extremes will result in a darker finish if sprayed too slowly or a lighter finish at a higher speed.
IPS Paint Supplies & Colour Matching
Our overall recommendation is to allows follow the manufacturers instruction on the paint and associates refinishing equipment. We stock a huge range of paints and equipment which we deliver to customers all over South West Wales along with advice and guidance when it comes to colour matching.
To find out more, visit our website https://www.ipspaint.co.uk/