who needs color cards/chips/samples besides me

[Banditperformance]

I was basically thinking about main color sample pieces. Then, if a customer want's to see if something will match up, then I'll do test samples for them. Before they commit to coating the entire project, only to find out it's just a shade off or something. That would suck

[lcaswell]

Originally Posted by jrow

I like the idea of the color chips, but I'm a little curious. Are you going to do a single coat over mill finished aluminum or steel or are you going to shoot base coats and then top coats? You can see where this is leading. If you polish the metal than do different base coats and then final color coats your are going to have a multitude of chips. A lot of coaters shoot over chrome powder or some other base coat. How about metallics? Yikes, alot of work!

John

Good point. The color panels we have received from our suppliers in the past can differ dramtically from the actual colors when shot over differing metals or bases.

These color chips that everyone wants can be very misleading...which is yet another reason that we don't want to get into selling them.

[skooterbum]

Originally Posted by jrow

I like the idea of the color chips, but I'm a little curious. Are you going to do a single coat over mill finished aluminum or steel or are you going to shoot base coats and then top coats? You can see where this is leading. If you polish the metal than do different base coats and then final color coats your are going to have a multitude of chips. A lot of coaters shoot over chrome powder or some other base coat. How about metallics? Yikes, alot of work!

John

i am glad that you brought this up. it all needs to be taken into consideration. my first thought was to do the basic single coat colors, which there are a lot of, on steel. then do two coat for candys, luminescents, so on. i dont have all the answers but want to get all the feedback i can to see whats wanted/needed. i am having a difficult time trying to show my customers what can be done without color samples and made the assumption that there might be others that have the same problem. in turn i thought maybe i could help by trying to supply caswell with color samples for there customers. yes it would be a lot of work but the question is would it be a help to all of us for promoting our business, as well as can it be done at a resonable cost.

[jrow]

I think the only cost effective way to do this would be for the powder coaters to get together and advise each other what colors that they have. Then decide if you want to shoot your colors on steel or aluminum. Make enough copies for the other people that don't have the colors that you have and then trade them. If some one purchases a new color then you do that color and pass the samples on. Granted this is a logistical nightmare, but it could be done.
Your will want to know the base material, prep, is it polish or not, the Mfg. color number and kind of powder also.

John

[Banditperformance]

The one thing is, you wil never be able to have a sample for Every color and Every effect. The main colors, sure, The Cadies over chrome or poloshed alum, sure. But now, are you going to put a candy coat over every color main coat And at every possible thicknes/shade? It would be endless. That's what makes the custom coating world so great. it's like Paint. The possibilities are endless. Just the basic colors, and the candies and metalics I would think would suffice. Then, customers can take those and mix/match and get creative on possible mixes. ie candt top over a metalic base. Let their imagination work for you.

And doing basic colors, and metalics, Just Alum samples would be fine I would think because the base color onlt shows through on a Candy/translucient. Alum test panels might be cehaper to come by than steel ones. Atleast the ones I am getting are.

[skooterbum]

Originally Posted by Banditperformance

The one thing is, you wil never be able to have a sample for Every color and Every effect. The main colors, sure, The Cadies over chrome or poloshed alum, sure. But now, are you going to put a candy coat over every color main coat And at every possible thicknes/shade? It would be endless. That's what makes the custom coating world so great. it's like Paint. The possibilities are endless. Just the basic colors, and the candies and metalics I would think would suffice. Then, customers can take those and mix/match and get creative on possible mixes. ie candt top over a metalic base. Let their imagination work for you.

And doing basic colors, and metalics, Just Alum samples would be fine I would think because the base color onlt shows through on a Candy/translucient. Alum test panels might be cehaper to come by than steel ones. Atleast the ones I am getting are.

thank you dan. you said exactly what i was wanting to say. obviously every senario cant be covered, but the main colors i think could be done at a reasonable cost. i look at it like whats more benefitial to our customers, having the chance to see what the color most likely will be or not seeing a sample at all. my customers and myself all prefer to see something in advance. well i thought that it was something that we could all use to help promote our business.

[carrera1984]

I understand that there are tons of color combos but looking at a real sample can get you in the range. What if we were to set up another thred. Then every member that wants to pertisipate makes a rather large sheet of a powder they have laying around. 2' x 2'. We can cut em up in a designated strip, 1" x 3 or whatever(something small). Then set up something to trade. It could be like a little kid trading card game. And we'll keep track to who ever helps will get priorily over non-contributers or just say that you have to make up a sheet to "be in". I just recieved my new kit and will be coating as soon as I move into my house in a month or so. I have a few colors and will be getting more soon. I'm gonna be coating many parts for people in my car club so im sure as a fee ill snag there left overs to make sheets to trade. I would be really intrested in putting something like this together. Once we decide on dimensions it could be easy. Say if your shooting a valve cover, for example sake, just use what you have left over and shoot a piece of sheet metal. Then include some sort of what you used on the back. Espically with this month being on sale for half off its pretty cheap! It might take a few people to start, but it could really catch on and help out business/personal use.

-Ryan J. Stenger
Carrera1984@aol.com

[bzer1]

Look...If you really want to do this I would suggest that you go to Home Depot and pick up some aluminum flashing and cut it into strips and shoot them. That's what I do if someone wants a sample of what I stock. The flashing is very cheap to buy and is easily cut. I also use it to develope my masking technique and to practice fades and multi color coatings. I picked up a roll of flashing 6" wide and 25' long. You can cut it into 1" wide strips then cut the strips in half and punch a hole in each to make your test strips. In my oven I could coat hundreds of them at one time. If everyone picks a few colors and shoots them you'll have some pretty impressive color rings. With powder at Caswells being half price till the end of the year...Now might be the best time to do this. It will cost half as much. I wonder if enough people participated in this if Caswell might be willing to help out by being the central locale for the rings to be sent from. I have all the color samples I need but will still help out if everyone else is willing to contribute.

[skooterbum]

i am seeing interest in this and want to be a part of helping with the samples. i like all the ideas that have been presented so far. im sure there will be more to come. i got a metal color sample from a powder supplier and there are 6 samples on very thin steel. cost me $5.00. my first thought was how long will these last before the sample gets bent to the point that the powder comes off. i wonder if they need to be made out of heavier stuff. i have access to the facilities to make sample plates out of 16g to 28g steel/aluminum whatever is thought to be the best. can punch a hole in the corner for attaching to a ring. i will work up a price on these made out of 2"x2" 24g steel and post to see if this might be something that i could supply to those that are interested. not looking to make a profit, just want to help.
ron
skid rowe custom powder coating

[Banditperformance]

I was wondering the same thing, Scoterbum. The main reason I want some samples is to display with my business flyers on a chain. That way, customers can see the colors, feel the veins and wrinkles. Have maybe 7-10 colors hanging from the flyer holder. But if their made from the thin Alum that I can get here(telephone pole tags) there easilly bent. Now bending would be good to show durability, but one would have to keep an eye on them and replace once the powder starts to flake off.