October 2014 The Paint Spot Newsletter

The Paint Spot Newsletter (October 2014) Trick or treat ! The first thing I'd like to talk about is color matching. We have a pretty simple method for matching colors at The Paint Spot that does not include computerized "gadgets" such as a spectrophotometer. Instead we use actual color chips that are supplied by the manufacturers of the paint lines we sell. Matrix actually had the most extensive color cabinet in the business, that unfortunately was discontinued. NOTE: If anyone has all or part of one of these cabinets and is not using it, we will buy it! Call: (830) 899-2845.

The Matrix cabinet contains selectors that vary by shade, and includes under hood, interior, solid colors, and metallics. Before the system was discontinued we placed them in as many of our RV customers shops as we could. That segment of the business is so screwed up that even if you do have a color code, and you happen to have the same paint line that the code references, the color almost never matches! It's amazing how much an RV costs and how little attention is paid to true color documentation! Anyway, this allowed them to either match up colors on the fly, or at least communicate with us on what they saw over the phone. All of these customers were taught to use the cabinet the way we do it here. Because the colors were laid out by shade it was pretty easy to get close to the match quickly. We would then pull all the likely matches off to the side and then through process of elimination, narrow it down to the best. At that time we would examine the color through a magnifier ( We have our own for advertising that we give away to customers) to identify specifics such as metallic color and size, pearls, and shade differences. Often times we can find a blendable match with the selectors alone, but a lot of times we can only get so close. When this happens, because of the information on the back of the selector, we could pull up the formula in the desired paint family (MPB, MSB, RPB, RSB, MPB-LV, MSB-LV, MAU, MCU, MIP, MIS....yeah, that's right, you have lots of choices!) print out a 1 ounce formula, and hold out or switch out the problem toners. Example: the color you want looks less coarse, and is lighter than the closest selector. You can change out the coarse aluminum for either medium or fine and you can hold out the toner that makes the color darker. There is a little bit more to it than this, but I think you get the idea. Note: The referenced chip cabinet should not be confused with the newer "Variance" system from Matrix. The Variance set is something that every shop should have, and can be used for matching color (we do sometimes) but it's primary function is to identify variances "before" you mix the paint.

Fast forward a couple of years, and Lusid Technologies has added a system to their arsenal that not only resembles the obsolete Matrix cabinet, but the information includes all the toners and "fleet" finishes as well. This has really helped us out, as until recently we either had to match color completely from scratch, or we had to get a physical sample, send it to Utah, and wait for a match. Most customers don't want to wait for anything, when they need it, they need it NOW! Since we now have several "Northstar" systems in customer shops, I've been spending considerable time teaching the painters how to match, or come up with a color from scratch (thank you "Craig", you are a great teacher). I've noticed that the fleet guys don't get as much practice at the color matching as the automotive and RV guys do, and the reason is simple. Most fleet painters have a chosen few colors that they spray, and only when something new pops up that doesn't already have a formula, do they use their matching skills. Here's what was happening; I'd go out to a customers shop and spend as much time as it took to get the painter comfortable with matching or making a color. A month later I might get a call to help him again, and it was because he didn't have a use for what I had shown him before. I totally don't mind going out to a shop as many times or for as long as it takes to resolve a problem, but painters have a lot of pride, and I'm sure they don't want to feel stupid by calling me. Well, for all you painters out there, if anyone should feel stupid, it's me! It never occurred to me that I should video tape an actual paint match and give you the recording. I've matched literally hundreds of colors, and it never once crossed my mind.......until just the other day! Stay tuned for color match videos as we're getting them edited and copied. I'm not an actor, and the setting is the real deal, messy as it is that's the way we roll! We will also upload them to our website:www.thepaintspot.biz ! Let's talk about PMS: Get your mind out of the gutter, I'm not talking about a bitchy woman! "Pantone Matching System" is an international color standard for the graphic arts industry. As some of you know I was a printer in a previous life, and worked in all aspects of the industry for 26 years (although I was around it since age 6). Many of those years were spent running printing presses and painting cars. The two industries do have a lot of crossovers, but especially color. I was no stranger to mixing ink on a "triple beam" to get a specific PMS color, as opposed to just buying premixed ink......just like paint! There's one great big difference between the two that maybe some of the painters and jobbers aren't aware of.....printing ink has got standard mixing colors that are virtually the same no matter where on earth you buy them from, and no matter who the manufacturer was! What a concept huh? I know what you paint reps are thinking right now...."oh shit, if we all went to that system, how the hell would we be able to sell our paint? Everybody would have the same thing"! Answer: The same way all the ink companies do, "Price", "Quality", "Service", and one more "Versatility"! I don't want to spend too much time on printing ink, but the smart ones are versatile by accommodating the various printing needs such as: Water base, alcohol base, oil base, soy base, rubber base, U.V., opaque, semi opaque, and transparent, and they all match 100% to PMS anywhere on the planet! So how and what does this have to do with The Paint Spot and refinishing a vehicle? Here's how. From logos to company vehicles, many people have corporate colors. Vehicles have to be painted based on these corporate colors, and unless you know that "Longhorn orange" is PMS #166 and have a PMS book to verify it, how are you going to get the color matched in paint? I have a PMS book, and believe it or not, I use it quite often. That's why some of the weird colors we make match so well.......I know what "Longhorn orange" is supposed to look like, and I know what "Serve Pro Green" is supposed to look like, and the list goes on and on. You have no idea how many variations there are out there, and it all comes from trusting your paint supplier or taking someone's word for it! As stupid as I felt for not thinking of making a video earlier, I feel equally stupid for not making sure that at least all of our fleet customers have one of these tools. Because it's a "tool", I offer these books free to our fleet customers. The rest of you will have to either buy one on line, or cover my cost.......and they ain't cheap!

Here's one thing you really need to understand about using one. They come as a set. One set is printed on "coated" stock (paper), and the other is printed on "uncoated" stock. This is the reason a color might be written as "PMS 166C" or "PMS 166U". They are one in the same, but because the ink absorbs on one and doesn't on the other, the uncoated selector looks darker (muddier) while the coated selector looks brighter (cleaner). Lusid Technologies has got an extensive library of formulas on the PMS colors, and because they work with the Pantone colors more than most, if they don't have a formula, you can get one in short order by calling the color department. There, they will match it and upload it, where it can be accessed by authorized users! Old dog / Old trick: This came up the other day and I just can't allow my self to not mention it. I had a customer call me on a Saturday looking for a new desiccant unit for his booth. I told him I couldn't get him one till Monday, and he said he had water issues and needed to paint a car that day....here's what I told him to do; I told him to bleed his tank and line, get a wash tub, coil up about 10 - 15 feet of his air line in it ( after the pump and before the gun obviously), and then fill it with ice. That will serve as a "make shift" dryer! It really works for those of you in a pinch, but it's a hassle and ice eventually turns to water! Now the reason for this emergency was because the expensive name brand desiccant system he had broke (I can't mention the name or it would surely piss off a whole bunch of people, and I know what you're saying..."since when does that matter"). Before it broke it was expensive to maintain, I know, I used to sell him desiccant "cartridges" every frikin month for $39.00! See, I didn't have to mention names, if you're perceptive, you already know or have one like it! Here's what I will tell you about desiccant filters. Number one, unless you absolutely have to, never use the little disposable ones on the end of your gun! They cause a lot more problems than they cure. Number two, don't EVER buy one that has a changeable cartridge......They are expensive to maintain and dangerous! If you do not routinely change them, they will not only let moisture get into your paint, they'll deteriorate and contaminate your lines, regulator, gun, and paint jobs! Conversely, if you have the system that accepts the raw desiccant beads (1 gallon preferably), you'll literally get years out of alternating just 2 sets! We sell a gallon of Ingersol Rand desiccant beads for about $50.00. If you take the beads out periodically, put them in a household oven on a cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, then put them in a closed container, they are as good as new and can be used time after time! "Slix" has been using the same beads for over three years, and we try to maintain airline humidity at 5% or under. Granted, we drain tanks, filters, lines and hoses twice per day, and we do have a dryer before the desiccants. I have a humidity gauge that I use at all new customer shops and will come out to your shop if requested (and as long as you're in Texas) to measure yours free of charge. The reason we're here: I'd like to say "I don't talk about myself much", but I reckon I'd be lying if I did. As a matter of fact, my brother said to me not too long ago "Rick, man don't take this the wrong way dude, but that newsletter thing you do........It's all about you"! I told him "Ron, you're right, but who the hell else would it be about, it's me writing it". "This is my world, the way I see it, the way I say it, the way I challenge it, the way I get in sync with it, the way I practice business in it, the way I give back to it, the wrongs that I try to right, the problems I've found, the causes I've exposed, the solutions I've offered, and the deception I've been exposed to.

Now most of us have been sold things they didn't need, by someone that didn't know what they were talking about, that didn't work, and for way more than it was worth. These things could be products, procedures, politics, religious beliefs, food, health care, history, sex (can I say that? Why not, I know I've been ripped off !). Some folks just absorb the hit which usually manifests itself later in one form or another, and others write about it.........I just happen to subscribe to the latter. Once in awhile, if you're real lucky, the good you set out to do rewards you by coming back............ "Rick, I would like to write a short paragraph to you personally and would support it's inclusion in your newsletter if you desire to do so". "I have been purchasing paint and materials for restoring a few classic cars from The Paint Spot for about three years. I am not a professional painter or body shop nor am I a high volume customer. When I started my projects, I knew absolutely zero about prep and finish products". "What I wish to accomplish here is to express my appreciation for the monumental efforts that Rick and his staff have expended in order to educate me and to fulfill my often times "rather unique requests" for custom base coat colors". "For example: on my current project, Rick spent no less than 6 hours with me experimenting with various formulas for just a gallon of base coat until we were both satisfied with the final result. Actually, I'm not simply satisfied; I'm ELATED with the result". "Thanks, Paint Spot - you really do follow through with your promise of "Whatever it Takes". Cory Holberg Wow, for once I'm "almost" speechless! But since I'm not.......YOU'RE SO VERY WELCOME CORY!!!!! That comment gives me all it takes to keep doing exactly what we do. In a world where the norm seems to be "screw them before they get a chance to screw you", it sure feels nice to be the "odd man out"! But, here's the deal.... I'm not really so odd. We are blessed to have the greatest customers in the world! Every one of you guys have choices, and you choose The Paint Spot. I can only hope that somehow you know we're willing to work for your trust and respect, and as long as I'm alive we'll continue to do our very best for each and every one of you! With respect to our doing "whatever it takes", I absolutely and whole heartedly believe that should be standard operating procedure for everybody in my position. Much of what I write is intended to do just that. It's all I have to keep others in line and to let them know they are being monitored, they will have to account for their practices, and we all have choices. News flash: Don't know if our president is Muslim or not, but if he was wouldn't everything he's done make sense?