Paintbox control colour for the perfect finish

Citation

(2002), "Paintbox control colour for the perfect finish", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 31 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2002.12931caf.001

Paintbox control colour for the perfect finish

Keywords: Paint, Finishing, Colour

Finishing specialist Paintbox Limited consider that they know about colour management. They began supplying F1 racing teams with finishing for cars, support vehicles and the occasional helicopter. They are now high volume painted component suppliers to some of the giants of the motor and teletronics industries. In all these markets colour is a critical quality factor and one reason for their investment in standardised lighting equipment from GretagMacbeth for their colour laboratory.

Laboratory manager, Karen Jewison takes up the story, "As specialist finishers we produce high quality painted plastic parts for companies such as MG Rover, Motorola and Dyson. Painted components must match and rejection of a batch on colour grounds would be disruptive and costly.

Manufacturers supply us with colour reference standards for each component. These are viewed under D65 simulated daylight conditions to ensure conformance. We have a colour booth for components and a colour harmony room where we can view a whole vehicle. These are in constant use. Samples from all new batches of paint are test sprayed and compared to manufacturers references in the light box before full-scale use in production. Sprayed components are also batch tested under standardised light conditions before product is released to the customer."

Both the colour booth and the luminaries in the colour harmony room use GretagMacbeth's SpectraLight III Smartlogic technology to deliver what GretagMacbeth asserts is an exceptionally accurate daylight simulation system. This comprises a tungsten halogen light source and patented light filters. Three daylight illuminates are available, D50, D65 and D75. These exceed the requirements of international standards. In addition, units also offer viewing under Horizon daylight, Cool White Fluorescent, two levels of Ultraviolet and either TL84 or U30.

GretagMacbeth systems are used to monitor colour on painted metal, plastic, composites and a full range of substrates. Systems work with painted, printed, plastic coated and even self coloured plastics. Consistency is the key and standardised lighting reportedly ensures every contractor in the supply chain can achieve the highest standards.

GretagMacbeth offer a complete service to support colour management – the Integrated Colour Management System (ICMS). This includes standardised lighting, instrumentation, colour standards and training for key staff In addition, ICMS includes consultancy and support that comprise colour audits to ensure consistency in lighting and application of standards so that the desired colour objectives are achieved.

Details available from: GretagMacbeth, Tel: +44 (0)161 926 9822; Fax: (0)161 926 9835; E-mail: harrison@gretagmacbeth.co.uk