Colour Matching and Paint Tinting for Cars

Colour matching is the process of obtaining the required shade of enamel by mixing base paints of a single pigment in specific proportions. The palette of colours available for painting car bodies, whether foreign or domestic, is extremely varied. For a localised (spot) repaint, you need to choose a tint that matches the colour range, brightness and shade as closely as possible.

When choosing paint, the following factors should be taken into account:

After drying, paint can change its shade, usually becoming darker.

Exposure to the elements (ultraviolet rays, temperature swings, road salt, moisture and industrial pollution) ages the paintwork and changes its colour over time.

After the base components of the paint are combined, the mixture must be stirred thoroughly.

The experience and skill of the person doing the tinting play a major role in accurate colour matching.

Using colour charts can greatly simplify the matching process.

When choosing paint by the manufacturer’s code, bear in mind that each tinting system may have its own pigments that differ from those of other systems.

Body repair often involves not only colour matching but also tinting, that is, mixing the enamel with a paint of the same type to achieve the required colour. Paint colour can be judged by three main characteristics: brightness, hue and saturation. Primary colours such as red, yellow and blue cannot be obtained by mixing other colours. All other colours can be produced by mixing the primaries and adding black or white to adjust the brightness.

Every car manufacturer has its own unique colour code for its vehicles. Over time, however, paint can change shade, and different batches of paint with the same code may differ. It is also worth remembering that mixing machines vary and pigment manufacturers may use different technologies.

Du Pont is one of the leaders in automotive coatings and offers a wide range of products for paintwork restoration, including sealers, primers, thinners, fillers, clear coats and enamels. Du Pont is known for its high-quality products and many years of experience in the field.