Question For Our "Paint" Experts

[Larry E.]

Paint is one of the subjects I know very little about but as we know one of the more important
features of the car.

Here Goes> IN GENERAL>Would inside of a garage under a fluorescent light OR outside on a perfect day
under the Sunlight make a flaw on your car standout more??

Here are some examples of a flaw. (Not all pertain to my car(66 Corvette-Rally Red)

1)Markings on the rear deck made by the Hardtop laying on the paint for a Convertible.
Just a slight marking but can be seen in the garage.
2)A paint swirl which we have seen on some cars.
3)Perhaps of a previous "touch up" from a rock chip.
4)I'm sure there are many more "minor flaws" out there.

Closing Note: I've seen it go both ways on the above question. EX. My Convertible has the
slight marking where the Hardtop has laid on it seen in the garage but in the bright Sunlight
it is very hard to see. Why?? Not a clue. PLEASE COMMENT; Larry

[Owen L.]

Re: Question For Our "Paint" Experts

No paint expert, but was an advertising photographer in a previous chapter of life. Attempting to compare the Earth's always-moving sun position to fixed location artificial lighting is not a comparison easily done - or straight forward.

Whether surface texture (hardtop mark or polish swirls) is visible or not has to do with the characteristics of the light reflecting off of it: point source light (like the sun) or broadly diffused (cloudy day) or somewhere in between (garage florescents) will affect the texture differently. Also in play is the angle the light is striking the surface: when the source is a sideways, raking light, greater texture is revealed while the opposite is true when the source is directly above the surface.

Lastly, the color and gloss of the surface plays a role as well. White tends to hide while black tends to show; different colors reflect light differently. And, of course, the gloss of the surface will reveal or mask texture.

Sorry for the non-answer... I guess this bears out your observation that your paint's texture has been visible under both lighting scenarios. It's one of those situations where the best answer is, "It depends."

[Larry E.]

Re: Question For Our "Paint" Experts

Thanks Owen; Interesting read. Anybody else with some comments please and thanks. Larry

[David H.]

Re: Question For Our "Paint" Experts

...

Here Goes> IN GENERAL>Would inside of a garage under a fluorescent light OR outside on a perfect day
under the Sunlight make a flaw on your car standout more?? ... Larry

Larry

Examine spectra image below. "Color" of an object is determined by wavelengths of light it reflects.

Fluorescents, incandecents, sodium vapor, led, etc, all produce "light" in different wavelengths than sunlight's continuous spectrum. A car's "color", being a reflection of what colors are available to reflect, is going to be different under artificial light than it will be in sunlight.

Now here is where your brain comes into play. You "see' with your brain. Your brain "knows" what color an object is. You will see that apple as the same shade of "red' under a wide variety of "white" light sources. Automatic - you never notice unless you consciously observe. Photograph that apple, and it will be different colors.

Change the "light", change the nature of the flaw, and "flaws" will appear and disappear.

I like to judge color in sunlight - that's where a car is meant to be.

Dave


IMG_0837.jpg

[Mark E.]

Re: Question For Our "Paint" Experts

Fluorescent light is the least forgiving of paint defects. Distinction of image (DOI- aka, orange peel) is hard to see in direct sunlight- it's just too bright and blinding. Imperfections in reflections stand out under multiple long light sources (like fluorescent tubes). Ditto for paint and body defects such as swirls, dirt, fish eyes, streaks, wavy panels...

Car plants use a booth well lit with long fluorescents (or today, perhaps LED equivalents) to inspect paint.

[Larry E.]

Re: Question For Our "Paint" Experts

Thanks to all; seems like Fluorescent Light is the worst to show flaws. I would think if one is going to have
the car judged one would want to pick a Judging Meet that is held outside. Larry

[David H.]

Re: Question For Our "Paint" Experts

Thanks to all; seems like Fluorescent Light is the worst to show flaws. I would think if one is going to have
the car judged one would want to pick a Judging Meet that is held outside. Larry

Larry

I'd like a rules change that let Exterior Team judge color and paint outside during Operations Check.

Artificial lights are great at identifying flaws, but our "Standard Dealer Prep" delivery requirement would seem to preclude that severity.

Dave

[Larry E.]

Re: Question For Our "Paint" Experts

Larry

I'd like a rules change that let Exterior Team judge color and paint outside during Operations Check.

Artificial lights are great at identifying flaws, but our "Standard Dealer Prep" delivery requirement would seem to preclude that severity.

Dave

Dave: Boy did you hit the nail on the head with your comment. Simple reasoning>Why would the "same" car be at a
disadvantage on where it is judged at (Inside or Outside) JMHO>Larry P.S. We all know how important

every point is when being judged. (It could bring down a car from "Top Flight to "Second Flight"