In body shops, color matching is of fundamental importance.
Painters are familiar with the topic down to the smallest detail, while other employees, or even owners, might take many concepts for granted. So, let's provide a general overview before discussing the specific technical characteristics of various spectrophotometers.
Introduction to color selection for painting
There are still many painters nostalgically fond of color fan decks, more commonly referred to in Italian as "cartelle colori"... we're sorry to tell them, but they'll have to abandon them for two simple reasons.
Firstly, because of costs, as a multinational paint manufacturer is no longer willing to spend huge amounts of capital to update color decks, adding new liveries created by car manufacturers or variations of existing colors, when it can minimize these costs by modifying a database within its own software.
It's therefore not surprising that all manufacturing companies have already stated that they will cease updating color fan decks shortly.
Furthermore, it is scientifically proven that today's spectrophotometer is more accurate in choosing the correct variant than the human eye, even that of the most acute and trained painter.
The Spectrophotometer
What is a spectrophotometer used for?
A spectrophotometer, also known as a spectrocolorimeter, is an instrument capable of objectively defining and evaluating color, so that designers can communicate the exact characteristics of their shade to manufacturers, who can then accurately reproduce them and verify that the final products comply with the received specifications.
The operation of the spectrophotometer is based on the analysis of the electromagnetic waves of light hitting a colored object, regardless of the material it is made of.
It is therefore a very versatile instrument that can be used on paper, plastic, metal, painted parts, and even liquids, whether glossy, matte, or with special effects.
The spectrophotometer, therefore, manages to obtain an objective description of the color based on the luminous radiation it emits.
There are various spectrophotometer models with different characteristics that allow for more effective intervention in specific circumstances: for example, they can be portable or benchtop, sphere or multi-angle, and with different angles for data collection.
The Spectrophotometer in Body Shops
For spectrophotometers in body shops, we need different reading angles because the appearance of finishes is influenced by different observation angles and conditions: in addition to the light-dark flop and color change, special sparkle effects can also be created.
The most famous spectrometers for body shops are BYC and X-Rite, two companies with decades of experience in the world of color that have created the most advanced instruments: in addition to the five traditional reading angles (15°, 25°, 45°, 75°, and 110°), they are equipped with an additional angle of -15° for measuring the grain of metallics and gloss for the color shift of interference pigments.
We are at your disposal for every need!
For over 55 years, Ferraris Color has been the benchmark for body shops, offering a wide range of products selected from the best brands in the sector: discover all our painting products and contact us for any need!
