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Light setup for color matching... anyone build one?

3/20/19       
Matt Meadows

Most of us have seen the small light boxes they have at places like Sherwin Williams with multiple light types and switches to operate them independently.

I've always thought they were a great idea but executed really poorly. They cost upwards of $1300-2000 depending on model and # of light types.

Their major flaw is that they overwhelm the color samples--- the boxes are so small that they are too close to the light source. NONE of our products are ever seen that close to the light source, AND that close to your eyes.

I'm thinking of building a similar setup here, out in our shop. Has anyone else done this? It would be fairly easy to do but I thought it would be good to listen to what others have done also.

My thought was to take a piece of plywood, maybe 2'X6' and put can lights in it, and suspend it about 9' off the floor. Give each can-light it's own light switch, and have maybe 6 or 8 options (halogens and various color LEDs).

We already have florescent lights all over the place in the shop so I'm thinking just simple can-lights.

Any thoughts? I think my biggest obstacle is going to be the potential for picking up lighting from our shop (5000K florescent high-bay) and reflections from clothing and surrounding walls.

3/21/19       #2: Light setup for color matching... a ...
Steve Member

Website: http://www.maxprod.com

I suspect you are overthinking this. Those boxes are to help people pick a color that would be satisfactory in their home lighting, so the boxes are made to assist in showing the colors in various environments.

To match a color, you only need both objects in the same lighting, preferably closest to a pure white light. 3M makes a great light for that used extensively in automotive color matching.

3M Sun Gun

3/21/19       #3: Light setup for color matching... a ...
Matt Meadows

You may be correct that I'm overthinking it. Unfortunately we are dealing with situations where the color looks damn fine at the paint store and in my shop, but when you get it into the warm white at the client's house, they look different when held up side-by-side. At least, different enough that we have to fix it.

And it doesn't change when you walk around the rooms, so it doesn't seem to be interference from wall paint or windows.

So, I figured a small expenditure on some lighting might help.

I had only just recently heard of the Sun-Gun, so we will consider getting this. I've read that this is what some automotive painters use, but then again, sunlight is where automotive paint is always seen, not under "warm white" lighting like our cabinets.

3/21/19       #4: Light setup for color matching... a ...
mauricio poli Member

Hello Matt!
Here we made our cabin using MDF and Cool White Fluorescent lamps , Day Light Fluorecent 6500K and regular incandescent lamps (all from Home Depot).
It is very important to paint it in a neutral gray color (we used GTI Standard Gray Neutral N7 Vinyl Latex Paint) .
We made it big enough to put large pieces of furniture inside it (doors)
It works very well
Good Job!

3/25/19       #5: Light setup for color matching... a ...
Matt Meadows

That's helpful Mauricio, I wouldn't have thought of a neutral gray for the walls, but that makes sense. Thank you for the suggestion!


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