Over time, you might notice that your car’s color looks a bit faded or that a recent accident damaged requires painting a new fender. If so, it maybe time for a fresh paint job. But, how do technicians know the right color to use? This post will explore more about how this vital service is done.
Signs You Need a New Paint Job
There are a few things to watch out for that indicate you might need a new paint coat.
- The color looks faded.
- The paint is bubbling or peeling.
- The exterior is rusting.
- There are small scratches.
How Car Color Matching is Done
It would seem that matching a car’s color would be simple, but it’s much harder than it appears. A technician needs to ensure that the paint matches exactly at each angle. If the color is wrong, it will make your vehicle look patchy and dull.
Many auto-body shops will utilize the Computerized Color Matching (CCM) system. This allows a technician to type in your car’s serial number and then get a detailed look at its information, such as when it was made and the original formula that was used to paint it. This way, they can be precise with the paint because the system will indicate the correct mixing ratio. Thanks to this feature, your car can be painted much faster than if a technician had to manually search for the color.
What Happens if the Color Still Isn’t Right?
There are many precautions taken to ensure this isn’t the case. Even after Computerized Color Matching indicates the right color, a technician will do spot testing. Once it dries, they can tell if the color is right. Most of the time it is. However, if not, they will go back and recalculate. When the right shade is found, the car will be coated with it.
How CCM Prevents Future Damage
While the system can’t fully stop scratches, it can prevent other types of issues, such as UV damage. At Downtown Autobody, we use fine-tuning to ensure that the paint is exact. This way, when it starts to naturally fade, the entire car will still maintain the same shade. This prevents certain parts from looking more discolored than others.
Technology has allowed auto shops to easily do car color matching. If you need a new paint job, contact Downtown Autobody. Our high-tech machines will work quickly to inspect and match the right color of your car.
