COLOUR TINTING GUIDE PASSION FOR COLOUR.™ PROSPRAYFINISHES.COM INTRODUCTION Contents A Word About Colour INTRODUCTION ......................................... 1-2 The Munsell Colour Model The most widely accepted colour theory used in the automotive HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE ........................... 3 refinish industry is the Munsell Colour Model. This model is the basis for our Prospray Colour Tinting Guide. An understanding of how the Munsell Colour Model works will ADDITIVES ...................................................... 4 help you understand how to adjust your colours. At the most simplistic level, the Munsell Colour Model describes WHITES ........................................................... 4 colour in three dimensions: 1) hue, 2) value and 3) chroma. Hue is the ‘pure colour’ or the colour you see, such as blue, BLACKS .......................................................... 4 red, green and yellow. Value refers to lightness and darkness of a colour. And finally, chroma describes the strength and BLUES ............................................................. 5 weakness of a colour. A strong colour is more pure in hue. A weak colour has more grey. VIOLETS .......................................................... 5 Note: This model does not apply to metallics, side tones and special effect pigments. REDS ............................................................... 6 Why Colours Don’t Match YELLOWS / BROWNS ...................................7 There are many reasons why colours do not match. Variables can originate at any stage in the process. A skilled craftsman GREENS ...........................................................7 must learn the art of compensating for deviations. ALUMINUMS .................................................. 8 XIRALLICS ....................................................... 9 PEARLS ..........................................................10 A graphic representation of colour and value, 1 hue and chroma. Do NOT Skip Step One: Check The Value These Important Steps Is the vehicle lighter or darker than the paint? • If the vehicle is lighter (solids), this can usually be corrected Checking Your Formula by adding white. The exception is red. Check the formula and add the predominant light colour. You have mixed your colour, sprayed a test panel to check match and...WAIT...the colour is off! Before proceeding to tint • If the vehicle is lighter (metallics), this can be corrected by the colour, review the checklist below. adding more metallic. Check the metal flake and size. As a general rule, a small metallic flake lightens the colour faster • Was the correct formula selected? Double check the paint than a large one. code. • If the vehicle is lighter (pearls), this can be corrected by • Is your scale properly functioning, calibrated and clean? If adding more pearl. toner drops onto the scale and not into the paint can, the • If the vehicle is darker and clean (solids), add the main dark end result can be a mismatched colour. colour. For example, if you are mixing red, add a darker red. • Did you over or under-pour a toner? Recheck the formulas • If the vehicle is darker and dirty (solids), add the and weights. complementary colour located on the opposite side of the • Did you spray your test panel to hiding, apply clearcoat and colour wheel or add black or grey (this will darken but not allow it to completely dry prior to checking the match? change the hue). • Did you properly mix the paint with the recommended • If the vehicle is darker and clean (metallics and pearls), add Prospray brand thinner? Do NOT use a generic activator the main dark colour. For example, if you are mixing gold, or solvent as it can negatively affect performance and the add more gold metallic. end result. • Is the variance caused by air pressure, application speed, Step Two: Check the Hue spraying distance, technique or film thickness? Ensure proper air pressure at the gun. Is the vehicle redder, yellower, greener or bluer than the paint? • Are the tinters stirred at least twice a day for 10 minutes? • White, grey, black and silver colours can have colour Is there a layer of thick pigment on the bottom? NOTE: shift in any direction. Solvent tinters settle as they sit. Once a tinter is off strength, • Always start with toners that are in the colour formula. it is always off strength. This could negatively affect colour • If the vehicle is redder, add the appropriate red. match on all subsequent mixes. • If the vehicle is greener, add the appropriate green. • Did you check the colour in daylight? (Natural sunlight is always best for checking match.) • If the vehicle is bluer, add the appropriate blue. • All colours must be viewed under equal gloss. If the repair • If the vehicle is yellower, add the appropriate yellow. area is faded, compound and polish the adjacent panels before checking colour match. Step Three: Check the Chroma • Is it a custom or tri-stage colour? Is the vehicle cleaner, dirtier or more grey than the paint? • Did you check metallics for face and flip tone? • If the vehicle is dirtier or more grey, add small amounts • Did you apply a ‘drop coat’ for metallic and pearl colours? of grey or black. Keep in mind that adding black will also make the colour darker. • Did you check for alternate or variant colours? • If the vehicle is cleaner and if the colour is not blendable, you • Has the vehicle been repaired before? may need to start over. Tinting Automotive Paint A Final Word A Few Helpful Hints About Tinting Colour Theory Training If you have considered all variables and the colour still does To learn more about best practices, equipment, paint not match, it is time to adjust or tint the paint. In this guide, composition, application, tinting and colour theory, we invite each toner is illustrated using a graphic symbol along with you to attend a Prospray Finishes training class. a detailed description of the colour and its characteristics. When tinting your colour, always start with toners that are Call us at 800.321.0672 or visit our website at listed in the colour formula. Hold your test panel next to the prosprayfinishes.com. vehicle. Check variables in this exact order: 2 How To Use This Guide Tinting Guide Key Colour (face) GUIDELINES FOR TINTING Colour Direction 1. Metallic colours: white makes the face tone dirty and flip tone light. Colour Direction of Flop 2. Do not add white unless you are sure that this is the effect that you require. 3. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly before checking the colour. 4. Base colours must have the clearcoat applied Brightness of Flop before checking the colour. Purity (clean or dirty) 5. Single stage metallics: lightly polish prior to checking colour. 6. Metallics: view the face and flip tone. 7. Use only the tinters as shown in the colour formula. SOLIDS COLOUR SOLID GREY SOLID BLUE SOLID GREEN SOLID RED SOLID MAROON SOLID YELLOW SOLID ORANGE HB-545, HB-511, MB-201, MB-201, IF TOO DARK ADD: MB-201, HB-500 MB-201, HB-500 MB-201, HB-500, VB-604 VB-604 HB-545 HB-500, yellow as in formula HB-500, yellow as in formula HB-551 black or blue as in VB-620 and black if in IF TOO LIGHT ADD: Black as in formula Blue as in formula HB-511, VB-620 Yellow as in formula HB-545 formula formula MB-259, MB-206, MB-259 or blue as in IF TOO GREEN ADD: Yellow as in formula N/A N/A Yellow as in formula HB-545, VB-610 MB-207 formula BLACKS Yellow as in formula with HB-551 blue and yellow as Add orange or yellow as in IF TO RED ADD: HB-551, MB-204 HB-551, MB-204 HB-545, VB-604 VB-620 blue as in formula or a hint in formula formula of HB-551 Blue or black as in Maroon, blue or violet as HB-551 or blue and black as MB-201, HB-500, MB-204 or HB-545 or red oxide if in IF TOO YELLOW ADD: HB-511, HB-545, VB-620 VB-620 or black if in formula formula in formula in formula black if in formula formula MB-204, MB-206, White plus tints except IF TOO BLUE ADD: Yellow as in formula HB-545, VB-604 HB-545, VB-604 Yellow as in formula HB-545 MB-207 as in formula blue as in formula All tinters as in formula All tinters as per formula All tinters as in formula All tinters as in formula All tinters as in formula All tinters as in formula IF TOO DIRTY ADD: N/A except black except black except black except black except black except black METALLICS WHITE, IVORY, MET. SILVER, SILVER MET. COPPER, BRONZE, METALLIC RED, COLOUR TANS, BROWNS METALLIC BLUE METALLIC GREEN METALLIC GOLD CREAM, BUFF GREY, DARK GREY BRONZE BROWN MAROON Aluminum for face tone, Aluminum for face tone, Aluminum for face tone, MB-201, Red, orange or yellow Aluminum and red/ IF TOO DARK ADD: white for flip tone as in white for flip tone as in white for flip tone as in Aluminum as in formula Aluminum HB-500 as in formula maroon as in formula formula formula formula All toners as in formula All toners as in formula All toners as in formula All toners as in formula All toners as in formula All toners as in formula All toners as in formula All toners as in formula IF TOO LIGHT ADD: except for white except for black except for aluminum except for aluminum except for aluminum except for aluminum except for aluminum except for aluminum MB-204, MB-206, Maroon or red as in Maroon, violet or red as MB-229, violet or Red, brown or maroon Red, brown or maroon Red, brown or maroon IF TOO GREEN ADD: Aluminum as in formula MB-207 formula in formula maroon as in formula tinters as in formula tinters as in formula tinters as in formula HB-551, MB204 or HB-551, MB204 or Yellow or orange as in MB-273 or hint of Orange, yellows