Color Matching Tools, Methods, and Techniques

Factors That Influence Paint Mixing, Blending, and Tinting in a Car Collision Repair Shop Process

Car painting is an art that requires great skills and experience. However, since the painter has to work mostly on cars that already have a coat of paint, the painting process itself becomes more than art – it becomes both an art and exact science. Needless to say that great efforts are put into making a car look exactly the same as before. And since color matching plays a very important role in the quality of the car collision repair shop process, it’s crucial that you learn more about the process before you choose an auto repair shop to fix your car.

In order to form an idea about the complexity of color matching, you first need to understand how cars are being painted during the manufacturing process. So, the first thing that you need to know is that every car is painted in special ovens where temperatures exceed 190-degrees Fahrenheit. This is possible only because the car is still a bare shell. No electrical components, plastic, or other materials have been installed on the car up to this point. However, such conditioned cannot be reproduced after the car has been assembled because wires and plastic may melt and electrical components may malfunction. The maximum temperatures that can be set for painting a car are about 170- degrees.

All manufacturers use an electronically applied E-coat primer that is applied to the bare vehicle. This is basically an immersion in an electrically charged solution which sticks to the metal better than any other primers. Unfortunately, this process cannot be reproduced after the car has been assembled.

As you can see, reproducing the same painting methods and techniques as during manufacturing is impossible. This makes the job of the painter a lot harder since he has to come up with solutions that will provide the same result. One of the most common techniques used in auto collision service projects is panel painting. Basically, instead of painting only the damaged area, the technician paints the entire panel. This makes the paint on that panel look similar.

Color matching is a complex task that requires special tools and equipment. Additionally, the auto collision repair technician must have many years of experience in car painting in order to achieve professional results. Mariscal Service Body Shop is one of those companies that use only quality materials and top of the line tools and equipment. If you want your car to look the same (or even better) than before the accident, then give us a call. Our shop is located in Visalia, CA and you can find us at (559) 697-1068. Choose the right car collision repair shop.

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