Color Theory
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
Introduction
• Color matching is the steps (strokes) 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
Fundamental 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
Fundamental Color Theory
• 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
LIGHT DISPERSION
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
Primary Colors
• Primary colors are the original colors. These cannot
be made by mixing any other colors.
• They are the building block colors from which all
other colors originate.
• The three primary colors are:
– Red
» Yellow
Blue
Secondary Colors
Secondary Colors are colors created by mixing equal
amounts of two primary colors.
For example:
Red + Yellow = Orange
Yellow + Blue = Green
Blue + Red = Violet
Intermediate Colors
Intermediate colors (also known as tertiary
colors) are colors created by mixing
a primary color with its’ neighboring
secondary color. For example:
Primary Red + Secondary Orange = Red Orange / Orange Red
Primary Blue + Secondary Violet = Blue Violet / Violet Blue
Primary Yellow + Secondary Green = Green Yellow / Yellow Green
The Basic Color Wheel
Primary Colors Secondary Colors Intermediate Color
Warm Colors
Warm Colors are in one of the two groups of
which colors are often divided. The three main
warm colors are:
Red Orange Yellow
Warm colors suggest energy, action, and
normally optically advance!
Cool Colors
Cool Colors are in one of the two groups of which
colors are often divided. The three main cool colors
are:
Blue Green Violet
Cool colors suggest calmness and peacefulness.
Optically, they tend to recede.
Monochromatic
• Means one color.
• Monochromatic means using one hue and tints and shades of
that hue.
The Monochromatic Color Scheme
• Monochromatic colors are
one color(hue) with the
tints and shades of that
color.
Tint-adding white to
the color
Shade- adding black to
the color
Valu lights and darks
e- of an object
Tone-
adding gray to a color
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
• It is important to see the overtones within a
color, including shades of darkness or light
Dimensions of Color
• Color possesses three dimensions i.e. value,
hue, and chroma
• The color tree is used to locate colors three-
dimensionally when matching colors
Dimensions of Color
• 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
The Basic Color Wheel
Primary Colors Secondary Colors Intermediate Color
Metamerism
• Metamerism is how different light sources
affect the appearance of paint pigments and
metallics
• Color change results from new paint and GI
color formulas being made of different
pigments
• This causes pigments to look different under
different light sources
Color Matching
• GI 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
Paint Formulas
• Paint formula gives the amount of each
ingredient needed to match an color
• Primer is used to protect substrate and to adhere
the basecoat with substrate
• Basecoat is a small area on the surface without
clear to enable to check for color match
Paint Formulas
• Top coat provides protection to the intermediate
coats and substrates.
• Clear coat is transparent layer (no pigment) that
is used to cover the color coat(base coat) and
make the surface glossy.
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
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
• If there is very slight mismatch, blend coat and
last colorcoat can allow shade-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
Matching Metallic Finishes
• 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.
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
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
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
