We are increasingly accustomed to seeing vehicles on our streets painted with colors that attract attention. Mazda is one of the manufacturers that has done a great job in this regard, so today we are going to talk about one of its most eye-catching colors, which is also a great challenge when it comes to applying it. It is the 46G “Machine Grey”.
Technical characteristics of the Mazda 46G Machine Grey.
Mazda color 46G Machine Grey is a metallic effect color that stands out for the particular contrast obtained by combining a metallic grey base color that provides great depth with a highly reflective metallic effect base.
According to the manufacturer itself, this color “was developed to express the beauty of the strength and precision of a machine. With a strong contrast of light and shadow and an elegant, high-density topcoat, it gives the impression that the vehicle body has been sculpted from a solid steel ingot.”
These chromatic particularities mean that when adjusting and matching the color in a refinishing process it is necessary to follow a specific application process that is combined with the use of specific basecoats, in order to faithfully reproduce the original metallic effect so peculiar to this color. In this sense, the refinishing of color 46G Machine Grey is applied following this multicoat system:
- 1st coat: black undercoat
It is the initial coat of paint that serves as a undercoat for the base color, in order to allow optimum hiding power and precise adjustment of the shade of the base color.
It is diluted in the proportion indicated by the manufacturer and can be hardened.
- 2nd coat: metallic grey base color
It is the coat of paint that provides hiding power. The grey color formed by different basics that provide the specific tone, texture and metallic effect.
It is diluted in the proportion indicated by the manufacturer.
- 3rd coat: specific basecoat
This is the specific effect coat that gives the color its characteristic colorimetric characteristics.
The metal particle used is very fine.
- 4th coat: 2 coats of clear coat
It is the final translucent coat of paint that serves to provide a certain level of gloss, enhance the effect of the color and provides protection.
Steps to reproduce the color of Mazda 46G Machine Grey
The color matching of Mazda 46G Machine Grey is a challenge due to the tintometric characteristics that define them. Therefore, it is essential to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when refinishing this color.
Beyond this generality, the following primer preparation and the successive steps to be followed during the application of this color with Roberlo’s Uniqcrom color system must also be taken into account.
Preparation of primers
Prepare the substrate properly so that the sanding prior to application is sufficiently fine (P800 – P1000). Subsequently, clean, mask and degreaser the area to be repaired.
Step 1:
Perform the color reading with the help of the spectrophotometer. In those cases in which the vehicle is not painted completely, the reading is made on the bordering part where the cut painting is going to be carried out, taking into account that the reading area must be perfectly clean and polished.
Step 2:
Apply the chosen variant on different test panels in such a way that on each one of them one more control coat is applied than on the previous one. As a general rule, it is sufficient to prepare 3 test panels.
Step 3:
Check the different test panels on the area of the vehicle that has been previously chosen and prepared for reading with the spectrophotometer, in order to determine which one best matches the car’s color. The check must be in daylight and by observing the different samples from different angles.
Step 4:
Apply the black undercoat SB-615 required for this color. This undercoat allows perfect coverage of the two coats and avoids undesired shade changes. The undercoat should be applied taking into account the following criteria:
- It is necessary to hardener the primer to 5% with the product P5000.
- It requires an evaporation time of 10 to 15 minutes at 20ºC / 68ºC before applying the two coat.
Step 5:
Apply the two-coat metallic grey color with a dilution of 1:1 following these guidelines:
- A single coat is applied for coverage.
- It is recommended to use a blending technique.
- Between coats, it is necessary to leave an evaporation time of 5 to 10 minutes at 20ºC /68ºF
Step 6:
Next, the control coat is applied taking into account these premises:
- The same number of control coats should be applied as the number of coats included in the selected test panels.
- Overdilute the paint with the diluent established by the manufacturer at a 1:2 ratio, therefore, 50% diluent is added with respect to the total remaining paint.
- The evaporation time between coats is between 5 and 15 minutes at 20ºC.
Step 7:
Apply clear coat to the panels with two coats of clear coat to protect the paint.
Specific processes and products for faithful reproduction of special colors
The Mazda 46G Grey Machine color is another great challenge for body shop professionals when it comes to refinishing, so using the materials and work processes that we have indicated it is possible to achieve a faithful reproduction of this color.
