To eliminate any guesswork when covering up a scratch or dent, experienced collision repair technicians need to use a replicated paint color. Without a matching shade, a collision technician’s work will look unprofessional and maybe even worse than an actual scratch or ding would. Individuals with older, classic cars run into this problem frequently because there are certain instances where the manufacturer has discontinued the paint.
To find a matching paint color for a damaged vehicle, collision repair technicians use a device called a spectrophotometer to properly identify the exact shade of the vehicle’s current color. The machine measures the amount of light and the exact hues on the car’s current paint finish. This data is then paired with the vehicle’s VIN to electronically find the paint formula on the vehicle’s existing finish.
When the spectrophotometer matches its data with the VIN of the car, collision repair technicians have a solid grasp on the vehicle’s current paint color. Through computer measuring systems, that paint color is then replicated and applied over the damaged area, leaving you with a car that looks brand new.