Mixing and tinting basecoat color has become a complex technical process. However, with the aid of computerized scales, color reading technology, Internet-based updates and other tools you can mix quantities of paint with minute detail. At the same time, it seems that no matter how good the technology, the natural tendency of "having a little too much versus not enough" creates excess product after we've finished spraying the vehicle.
Normally, if we mix too much color and it is not catalyzed, we simply label a container and store the mixed product with the intent of using the mixed product in the future on a vehicle with a similar paint code. In reality, this rarely happens, creating one of the following scenarios:
Cabinets filled with partially filled containers of mixed basecoat colors or Cabinets that have recently been cleaned out of partially filled containers of mixed basecoat colors.
The simple solution is to mix only the quantity of paint needed to repair the vehicle. However, minimal mixing is not your reality. There is an option (with some exceptions) that may make it easier for your paint shop to reuse most of its excess basecoat.
To do this, you'll start by storing and organizing your excess basecoat by color family and then using it as a ground coat before spraying your formulated product. Use these color families*:
- SOLID WHITE – All solid white family colors
- SOLID BLACK – All solid black family colors
- SOLID RED – All solid red family colors
- METALLIC RED – All metallic or mica containing red or orange family colors
- METALLIC BLUE – All metallic or mica containing blue or green family colors
- METALLIC GRAY – All metallic or mica containing gray or silver family colors
- METALLIC GOLD – All metallic or mica containing gold or brown family colors *Recommended color families provided by Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes
You need to take a few precautions. You should not attempt to apply this process to any undercoats, clear coats or to any basecoat colors containing hardener or flexible additive or when special circumstances may apply, such as dramatic over-reduction of color.
When you finish painting the vehicle, take any remaining unreduced color and reduce it. It is important to make sure that all remaining color meets the viscosity recommendations of the paint system you are using.
This material, as well as any unused material in the spray gun, can be added, based on the color family, into the labeled gallon storage cans. If a color does not logically fit in one of the color families, dispose according to your normal hazardous waste-handling procedures.
After sufficient material has been collected, thoroughly agitate it on a shaker, and place it on the mixing machine with an agitator lid.
The base coat color can be used as an effective ground coat. It is ready to spray, requiring no reduction or mixing. For the most efficient use, apply normally to primer areas with caution to not over-extend into blend areas. Once coverage with the ground coat is achieved, apply the applicable formulated color to the coverage area and extend to the blended areas as you normally would do.
Although the recovered ground coat system may not work in every situation, it has proven to be a simple solution for a majority of repairs for many years.
The true test of any improvement system has to pass three "simple" tests:
- Is it simple to understand?
- Is it easy to implement?
- Is there a decent return on my time investment?
Using a color family approach to storing and using your excess mixed base coat is a proven method and passes the "simple" test with flying colors. Give it a try. What have you got to lose, except additional savings?
