Dragon's Lair Fans - Arcade Lifestyle

General Chat => Artwork => Topic started by: level42 on October 05, 2011, 10:59:45 AM

Title: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: level42 on October 05, 2011, 10:59:45 AM
Seeing the various results of people having paints mixed as closely as possible I thought it might be interesting to make a kind of blog of results so that we may be able to find the same scanners/mixing machines/paint brands locally.

SO the idea is that when you have your paint mixed look what scanner is used, what mixing machine and what brand and type of paint. Then give a judgement on the result, anywhere between 0 and 10 (0 is terrible, 10 is perfect).

Format would be like this:

Store name and location, country:
Scanner brand and type:
Mixing machine brand and type:
Paint brand and type:
Quality judgement:


I hope Bruno and Ully may know some of this already from their sources.

I guess it's not always clear what scanner and mixing machine used, but you can always simply ask.
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: zapposh on October 05, 2011, 01:20:20 PM
Great initiative. If ever the Baby Pac mix turns out well in the end, I'll post the info.

I also have another suggestion, for those who are willing to help:
I know it can be expensive to mail 1L of paint to someone, but frankly, it in many cases can save time and hassle and many km if someone could just get another member a pot of paint pre-mixed from his store (like I will very soon need Ms Pac-Man blue and wouldn't mind saving the hassle I have at the moment with the Baby Pac).
I saw in other posts that it has been done on several occasions between members, but it could be made more official.

So for those willing to ship out to others, their member name could be added to the info you listed.
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: eurotronic on October 05, 2011, 02:47:32 PM
This machine is that hard to find?
In Belgium you can find one in almost every hardware shop.

have seen paint mixer/scanner at "Brico", "Mr Bricolage","Gamma", "Plan It","Hubo", etc..
There are 2 majors brands : Levis and Dulux.
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: zapposh on October 05, 2011, 03:14:22 PM
Not hard to find. But sometimes results hard to achieve.
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: eurotronic on October 05, 2011, 03:25:29 PM
I think all of thes machine work the same, the only thing that can go wrong is the color sample.
For me you need to have a matt sample or the scanner will give you a too light result (due to scanning light's reflection)
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: zapposh on October 05, 2011, 04:28:00 PM
The sample part is correct = needs to be good.

The machine part is wrong = every make uses a different white base and different color components for mixing = means that some mixers (independently of the scanner or sample) simply cannot achieve certain colors because the base (white type and available color tints in the machine) will not allow them to, but other machines can, without any problem. Hence the importance of knowing which make allowed an exact reproduction of which color.
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on October 05, 2011, 04:51:34 PM
colormatching is the most dificult thing in the world.

just one micro / pico liter of mixing color too much/less and you have a color mismatch

and the base is also not the same even from the same brand, maybe the same batch, but between 2 batches there are differences

Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: level42 on October 05, 2011, 05:23:23 PM
Mmm, Ok well ....I can't produce a reliable report myself. I just came back from De Verfkoning and they don't have a scanner.

However, the guy who helped me suggested to go to a certain company further in the city to have it scanned there if I wanted to go that way. But when he saw what I wanted to scan (the decals) he said it would be very hard to match anyway. So we discussed a bit further and we agreed to try it the old-fashioned way, with color samples. He was very honest about it, but I replied that in this case it's not really the most sensitive issue, because the blue will only be on top and back. Also, the decals are quite glossy but I wanted semi-gloss for the paint.

We settled for Sigma color nr. 3060-B by looking at it under the TL light in the shop AND outside, in both situations this was the best match.

Here it is: http://www.color-swatches.com/sigma/s-3060-b/swatch.html

However the pot I received is a brand I never heard of "Hermes vakverf" Basis Z. I said I wanted the best quality they had and he said this was it...

Well....I'll try a little sample tonight and we'll see. There's not a high risk in it for me, the paint cost me only €6.50 for a half liter can :)

I also needed some black for the inside and since they were out of semi-gloss 250 ml cans he gave me a 750 ml for the same price ! (at only €5).

Sample pics tonight !
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: level42 on October 05, 2011, 05:31:59 PM
Hey gee, that's a pretty great site: http://www.color-swatches.com

They list all the "comparable"  colors for different brands including samples on screen. You can even see the colors full screen.

Of course you need a color matched monitor to be accurate but I guess my iMac has to be pretty close ;)

You can see there are little differences between the brands.


Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: eurotronic on October 05, 2011, 05:35:11 PM
You can use this device to calibrate your monitor. ;)
http://www.befr.ebay.be/itm/Spyder-3-EXPRESS-Monitor-callibration-device-BRAND-NEW-/140604643089?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20bcb09711 (http://www.befr.ebay.be/itm/Spyder-3-EXPRESS-Monitor-callibration-device-BRAND-NEW-/140604643089?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20bcb09711)
The add dont say much, but basically it's an USB calibration tool for monitor.
Put it on your screen, plug on an usb, put the software on your PC, and the app do all the rest.
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: level42 on October 05, 2011, 05:41:20 PM
Bit too expensive for me ....don't really need it (not a pro ;)).
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: 2-mad on October 05, 2011, 05:46:56 PM

just one micro / pico liter of mixing color too much/less and you have a color mismatch


What about "nano" ?? It's living between micro and pico !?
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: Q*ris on October 05, 2011, 08:03:26 PM
Even on a very good calibrated monitor, the colors on the screen have always to be regarded more as an indication compared to printed colors on the final document.
Because there's no way you can ever compare backlit colors (screen) with colors you see thanks to the reflexion of the light on it (print).
+ there's also the media factor and the finish varnish that are interfering as well (different type of primer will give you different final results for instance)
Sadly, it's just the way it is, in our hobby it's more a case of trial(s) and error(s).
That's why this topic woud be really convenient: if somebody tried different mixes/brands to find the perfect match, he can share his experience (and thus save some time and money for the others).
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: level42 on October 05, 2011, 08:23:48 PM
And it's also different between CRT and LCD/LED monitors ....in pro TV studios there are still some CRTs for quality control.

The thing is, we are just TOO spoilt. Until,what, 15 years ago we couldn't even BUY mixed paints.....

It's funny how modern technology has given us tools to do "perfect" restorations of 30 year old cabs. Scanners, computers, hi quality inkjet printing etc. Within a couple of years we're printing our own parts on 3D printers ;)
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: solidsnake on October 05, 2011, 08:51:41 PM
Quote
The thing is, we are just TOO spoilt. Until,what, 15 years ago we couldn't even BUY mixed paints.....

It's funny how modern technology has given us tools to do "perfect" restorations of 30 year old cabs. Scanners, computers, hi quality inkjet printing etc. Within a couple of years we're printing our own parts on 3D printers
yea technology goes fast
check this guy out :o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD83dqSfC0Y&feature=player_embedded (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD83dqSfC0Y&feature=player_embedded)
maybe Invisibility paint in the future,so you can see thru the cab and see al the shiny parts that were restored ;D ;D ;D


Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on October 05, 2011, 11:00:43 PM
What about "nano" ?? It's living between micro and pico !?

Totally true, but you get my point i guess ?  ;)
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: level42 on October 05, 2011, 11:20:34 PM
Sooooo, here's the first test.

Paint wasn't completely dry yet, but I got impatient so I did some first (poor) pics. Lighting is by halogen spots so pretty true.

I think it's pretty damn close, close enough for me ! Not bad for an eye match using a color sample ! :)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100723/DSCF7439/web.jpg?ver=13178476830001)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100723/DSCF7438/web.jpg?ver=13178476920001)

Will check again tomorrow night after fully drying...
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: Blanka on October 06, 2011, 06:23:01 AM
And it's also different between CRT and LCD/LED monitors ....in pro TV studios there are still some CRTs for quality control.

That is mostly for the scanning/refresh part, not for the colour reproduction. Only since 2 years, they start to make custom frequency LCD panels for the higher segment (driven by the demand for 3D though!)

I can also recommend grabbing a Sikkens colour system swatch book at a pro paint supplier. Their colour coding is known by every colour mixer, and it gives you a very accurate swatch set for 25 euro's, holding thousands of colours. Much more useful than stupid RAL swatches.
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: Superully on October 06, 2011, 10:20:10 AM
Sooooo, here's the first test.
Paint wasn't completely dry yet, but I got impatient so I did some first (poor) pics. Lighting is by halogen spots so pretty true.
I think it's pretty damn close, close enough for me ! Not bad for an eye match using a color sample ! :)


that looks really good, andré, at least judging from the pictures!
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: level42 on October 06, 2011, 10:32:10 AM
Yep thats what I think.And my trusted Fuji camera has never let me down regarding colors.
The match is just as close on the eye.

 I checked again this morning and it still matched great but it was still dark outside and I looked under the halogen spots...

Let's see how they look this afternoon, but I am very confident that it will be great on the cab. The thing is that the paint is on other sides than the decals so you will already have a different "look"/lighting when looking at it.
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: level42 on October 06, 2011, 04:21:40 PM
Just shot some pictures, paint is dry and there was a sunny spell, I totally opened the curtains and....well see for your self:

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100723/DSCF7442/web.jpg?ver=13179105430001)

(http://gallery.me.com/andre.huijts/100723/DSCF7443/web.jpg?ver=13179105520001)

Im VERY happy ! Even the gloss-level seems to be perfect :)

(About the paint, I simply dipped in this stick, that explains the bubbles and stuff)
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: solidsnake on October 06, 2011, 04:27:06 PM
Looks verry good
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: Etienne MacGyver on October 06, 2011, 04:37:00 PM
as far as the pictures shows, its a perfect match !  looking good !
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: Superully on October 06, 2011, 04:39:52 PM
that IS a perfect match - congratulations!!!

just to get this right: that's a color match to the ms pac-man decals from phoenix arcade, right? is there a heavy color difference between the decal and the original colors?
Title: Re: Paint scanners and mixers blog
Post by: level42 on October 06, 2011, 05:16:21 PM
Hah, I was one step ahead of you Ully.

Yes, because I will be applying the Phoenixarcade stickers I naturally matched the color to them.

I _just_ matched the paint to the back of the cab and it's clearly a bit off. Still have to compare it to what I found behind the hand-covers, or how are they called because that was more blue than everything that has been exposed for 30 years...Pics soon. The paint is also a bit more blue and of course it's much more shiny to the matt (what's that in English ?) that was used originally.