Repairing a car after a collision is only half the job. To get an automobile back to its original condition, fenders, door panels, and other repaired parts must be painted to match the rest of the car. This is tougher than it sounds because matching new paint to old paint requires patience and skill.
Paint for cars doesn't just come in a can that matches the original car color. Most paints are made up of several different pigments (colors) that have to be mixed together to get the right color. Every car has a color formula. With the help of a computer that calculates the exact amount of each pigment needed, the technician can match colors exactly.
As an auto body repairer, you need to understand the process of measuring car paint, even though a computer performs the calculations. The following chart shows the mix of pigments needed for six ounces of Viper Silver Metallic paint to match two car doors. A computer provided the paint formula and the exact amounts of pigment that are needed for the paint mixture. The paint code, the color, and the number of grams needed of each pigment are given.
Black paint mixtures for cars are measured in grams, even though the paint container may be identified in fluid ounces, pints, or quarts. Grams measure weight and fluid ounces measure volume. A container that holds six fluid ounces can weigh different amounts. Six ounces doesn't sound like much paint, does it? Surprisingly, it doesn't take much paint for two car doors.
How much of each pigment is needed for four ounces of Viper Silver Metallic paint? To calculate the grams of each pigment in 4 ounces, these are the things you need to know.
