design article about choosing colours at ford.

[Jayden]

design article about choosing colours at ford.

http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive...nting-at-ford/

"typical paint verification can take months, even years."

I believe in thoroughness, but 'years' enters deep into the realm of wtf. Im of the opinion that its usually the car that needs fixing if its so hard to pick a colour for it.

I just imagine the colour designer looking at the US Focus and thinking, 'hmmm, something darker than black?'

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Jayden

design article about choosing colours at ford.

http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive...nting-at-ford/

"typical paint verification can take months, even years."

I believe in thoroughness, but 'years' enters deep into the realm of wtf. Im of the opinion that its usually the car that needs fixing if its so hard to pick a colour for it.

I just imagine the colour designer looking at the US Focus and thinking, 'hmmm, something darker than black?'

The verification process also involves paint trials.

Each color paints differently and there are many issues such as 'mapping', matching bumpers, paint flow, color constancy / thickness etc, need to be proven out. Manufacturing settings for the various processes also (including pre paint preparation) need to be trialed and ultimately documented.

It's a real science, not just a matter of: "Violet ? Ok lets go !!"

[Bossxr8]

Maybe the guy whose mate wanted a one off flat black FG XR should have a read of that.

[Jayden]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

The verification process also involves paint trials.

Each color paints differently and there are many issues such as 'mapping', matching bumpers, paint flow, color constancy / thickness etc, need to be proven out. Manufacturing settings for the various processes also (including pre paint preparation) need to be trialed and ultimately documented.

It's a real science, not just a matter of: "Violet ? Ok lets go !!"

yeah I know its a science, but a year? I thought any expert would already know how its done and it wouldnt require a whole lot of farting around to figure those things out. just my guess. Would be interesting to see if ford does have more colours in the future then, I just noticed we get a bigger colour choice than in the states anyway, their bread and butter cars all have basically 3 colours + silver and B/W they all share. the xr6 has about 10 or something.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Jayden

yeah I know its a science, but a year?

A year is a long time, but It may include some of the tail end of the initial research by design on fashion trends, and looking at colors that will be 'in' in the 'next 5 years'. Once the colors are tentatively chosen, the paint supplier would be asked about production possibilities, costs, etc.

The final steps would involve productionising the color and trialing the best settings and processes in applying the color to existing pre-coats.

ie: programing spray painting robots etc.

Each color really is applied slightly differently and has different peculiarities. I know some colors are a 'b%stard' to paint in a automated production environmant.

These guys have 400 cars going through their paint shop daily - the car has got to hopefully go through the system in the time allocated (it's not like a panel shop), at the desired quality level.

Alot of work need to be done to achieve this so it's repeatable in a factory - it's not 'farting' around.

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by Jayden

yeah I know its a science, but a year? I thought any expert would already know how its done and it wouldnt require a whole lot of farting around to figure those things out. just my guess. Would be interesting to see if ford does have more colours in the future then, I just noticed we get a bigger colour choice than in the states anyway, their bread and butter cars all have basically 3 colours + silver and B/W they all share. the xr6 has about 10 or something.

I think Ford have done pretty well with their colours. I had a blood orange XR8 that was only available in one series. I LOVED the colour. All of my friends who I told I had just bought an orange Ford reeled in disgust... until they saw it.

Now, the purple. Great when it first came out, knew it would date quick. The kermit vomit colour, same deal.

A little hit and miss one some colours but by and large I think Ford have been spot on with their colours. Compared to the Holden range of colours, I'd put Ford well infront.