November 2002

Colorimetric Evaluation of
Automobile Paint Coatings

VW
501 95

Konzernnorm
Descriptors:
colorimetry, color change, automobile paint coating, color difference, paint,
effect paint, solid-color paint

Scope

This standard defines the evaluation criteria for chromatic aberrations and the measurement and
evaluation conditions for the use of technical instruments to determine color differences in
automobile paint coatings.
2

Definitions

2.1

Solid paint

Paint structure with color pigments which exhibits mainly diffuse reflection behavior. The color
impression is largely independent of the direction of lighting and observation.
2.2

Effect paint

Paint structure which contains directional reflective effects (aluminum flakes, Mica or the like) as
well as diffuse reflective color pigments. The color impression is greatly dependent on the chosen
direction of lighting and observation.
2.3

Effect angle (test angle)

The effect angle is the angle measured from the reflection angle of the incidental light in the
direction of the incidental light bundle (see DIN 6175-2).
2.4

Reference

The reference is the reference specified by the respective process engineering department of the
marque (original shade, standard, target value, or the like).
3

Test

3.1

Test apparatus

Form FE 41 - 12.00

Measurement devices which can be used to perform a color measurement according to DIN 50334 (spectral method) in the required test angles shall be used as test apparatus.

Page 1 of 5
Fachverantwortung/Responsibility
K-QS-31

Meier

Normung/Standards (EZTN, 1733)

Tel: -3 62 71

Frau Dr. Daniel

Wiesner

Tel: +49-5361-9-29064

Sobanski

Vertraulich. Alle Rechte vorbehalten. Weitergabe oder Vervielfltigung ohne vorherige schriftl. Zustimmung einer Normenabteilung des Volkswagen Konzerns nicht gestattet.
Vertragspartner erhalten die Norm nur ber die zustndige Beschaffungsabteilung.
Confidential. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be transmitted or reproduced without the prior written permission of a Standards Department of the Volkswagen Group.
Parties to a contract can only obtain this standard via the responsible procurement department.

VOLKSWAGEN AG

Norm vor Anwendung auf Aktualitt prfen / Check standard for current issue prior to usage.

The English translation is believed to be accurate. In case

of discrepancies the German version shall govern.

Klass.-Nr. 50 20 2

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VW 501 95: 2002-11

3.2

Test angle

3.2.1

Solid paint

Primary measurements under one lighting and observation angle suffice to describe the color due
to the reflective behavior of solid paints.
Suitable measurement shapes are as follows: 45/0 or 0/45 (according to DIN 5033-7, sections
3.2.1 or 3.2.2 respectively). The lighting shape can be circular in the case of shape 45/0, the
observation shape can be circular in the case of shape 0/45 (see DIN Report 49, section 3.3,
Measurement Shapes, Method B).
Different agreements shall be arranged with the relevant responsible departments of the marque.
3.2.2

Effect paint

Effect colors must be measured under 5 observation angles at a lighting angle of 45 or its inverse
(see DIN 6175-2 section 4.1 + test angle 45/15 or 15/45).
Different agreements shall be arranged with the relevant responsible departments of the marque.
3.2.3

Calibration and test equipment inspections

Calibration shall be performed according to the manufacturer's specifications. The calibration shall
be checked by means of a control measurement on a bright color standard. The differences in color
referred to the initial measurement of the color standard shall be logged for all test angles. The
color shall differ by no more than 1/6 of the prescribed tolerance. If this value is exceeded, the
measurement system shall no longer be used within the context of this standard. The test
equipment shall be monitored at regular intervals through control measurements on multiple bright
color standards. Test standards whose surface and color appearance remain constant shall be
used for this purpose. Appropriate measures shall be taken if inconsistent values are determined
(device adjustment or maintenance).
3.3

Test light type/normal observer

The test light types are D65/10 and F11/10.

Different agreements shall be arranged with the relevant responsible departments of the marque.
3.4

Specimen appearance

The specimen surface must not be impaired by surface flaws (dirt, scratches, craters, polish marks,
etc.). The packaging material shall be selected accordingly. Specimens can only be cleaned in
exceptional cases. This must be noted in the test record.

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VW 501 95: 2002-11

3.5

Procedure

3.5.1

Measurable components

The measuring point on the specimen should be as flat as possible since the specified angular
arrangement cannot be adhered to on curved surfaces. The measuring points should be agreed
upon with the testers. The color data for a measuring location shall be formed from the mean of at
least 5 individual measurements. A method that automatically rules out freak values such as SMC,
for example, shall preferably be selected here.
The reference and specimen measurements shall be taken at constant room temperature.
3.5.2

Non-directly measurable components

Specimens which cannot be directly measured because of their shape can be checked as follows:
a) Measurement of a flat test panel painted at the same time (at least 50 mm x 100 mm), with the
same substrate and structure as the component. There shall be no visual color difference
between the component and the test panel. This shall serve as a specimen for the color
measurement.
b) The measurement shall be performed using suitable gages.
The exact position of the test panels and the type and setup of the gages shall be agreed with the
testers.
3.6

Reference

The color changes shall be calculated with respect to the defined reference according to DIN 6174.
4

Requirements

4.1

Basic specifications

Revisions of the scaling and weighting factors due to technical factors may be made in the
production phase. These parameters shall be defined by the relevant process engineering
department of the marque.
A visual evaluation shall be performed to check the plausibility of the measured values. Particular
attention shall be paid to the size and distribution of the effective pigments during this evaluation.
4.1.1

Scaling factors S[ dL,da,db,dC ,dh ],

The size of the scaling factors depends on the color locus. It takes into consideration the influence
of the color locus on the visual acceptance of chromatic aberrations.
4.1.2

Weighting factors G

The size of the weighting factors depends on the type of connection (direct or indirect transitions).

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VW 501 95: 2002-11

Overall color change dE /

4.2

The overall color change dE/ is calculated as a function of the scaling factors according to:

dL*
/
dE =
G * S
dL,

db*
+
G * S
db,

dH*
+
G *S
dH ,

da*
+
G *S
da,

or

dL*
dE =
G * S
dL,

/

4.3

dC*
+
G *S
dC ,

Release procedure

The appropriate release procedures (procedure A and procedure B) shall be agreed with the
relevant process engineering department of the marque.
4.3.1

Procedure A

This procedure evaluates the maximum, angle-dependent overall color change maxdE

max dE ' = max(dE ' )

Acceptance range 0 maxdE 1.4

components/sample parts are in acceptable range.
Control range 1.4 < maxdE 1.7
components/sample parts are in conditionally acceptable range.
Rejection limit maxdE >1.7
components/sample parts are outside the tolerance range = unacceptable.

4.3.2

Procedure B

This procedure evaluates the overall color change mdE / determined via the angle:
Mean overall color change mdE ' =

1 110 '
dE
5 =15

Acceptance range 0 mdE 1.4

components/sample parts are in acceptable range.
Boundary condition: maxdE 1.7.

Control range 1.4 < mdE 1.7

components/sample parts are in conditionally acceptable range.
Boundary condition: maxdE 2.0.

Rejection limit mdE >1.7

components/sample parts are outside the tolerance range = unacceptable.

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VW 501 95: 2002-11

Test report

The test report shall specify the absolute values of the reference, the scaling and weighting factors
as well as the overall color changes maxdE and/or mdE.
The test report must also contain the following information:

Test apparatus
Paint number (VW L-...), number and date of issue of the reference used
Any observations and changes, such as particles of dirt, hazing, scratches, patchiness, etc.
Agreed upon conditions that deviate from this standard (e.g. standardized color values
).
dL
*

G * S
dL,

Referenced standards

DIN 5033-4

Colorimetry: Spectral Method

DIN 5033-7

Colorimetry: Measuring Conditions for Object Colors

DIN 6172

Colorimetry: Metamerism Index of Paired Specimens with Illuminant Change

DIN 6174

Colorimetric Determination of Color Intervals with Object Colors According to the

CIELAB Formula

DIN 6175-2

Color Tolerances for Automobile Paint Coatings Part 2: Effect Paint Coatings