ORIGINAL: ianober
ORIGINAL: rhklenke
So if I have an FS number for a color that I want, is it possible for a generic auto paint place, like one that sells PPG, to mix if for me off that number?
Bob
Most likely not Bob. I tried that and they use a different system. What I did was buy the color in Model Master paints and spray a piece of 3x3 styrene with it and then take it to them. They then use their little device to scan the color and generate a color code for their system. Works well, just make sure you use a shiny finish, flat wont work. The device they use needs a reflective surface.
Yep, we need a shiny surface for most colors for the prophet to work. The reason is the color library that the Prophet is pulling from is based from automotive colors. It compares the reflectance readings it sees to known automotive reflectance formula values. It finds (hopefully) a match and then the program dials it in from there. Scanning a flat finish usually gives us a "too far out for correction" message. The reflectance values are too far apart for the machine to work. It can also depend on the type of paint you want - i.e. if you do scan a flat finish and request DBC for instance and get the error message you can ask them to try it in DBI - that is the interior color prefix. Same paint, different prefix, so the Prophet will look for interior colors for the match (satin finishes) instead of exterior (gloss). This though asumes there is an interior color similar to what you want. Regardless, I can always scan the gloss version of the chip, generate a formula and then add flattener and dial the color in by eye. Applying a clear over the flat finish will usually deepen the color but it does give a decent starting point.
Dan