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Frequently Asked Questions – RapidMatch™ X-5 Spectrophotometer

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Is there a difference between Prophet® II and RapidMatch™ X-5 spectrophotometers?

The RapidMatch™ X-5 spectrophotometer is the same instrument as Prophet­® II. Both devices are manufactured and supported by X-Rite Corporation. See our PaintManager™ software support page for more information.

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If I currently have a Prophet® II device, can I use it with the new RapidMatch™ program software?

Yes. Both instruments are compatible with the PaintManager™ program software that features the new RapidMatch™ innovative software to Search – Rate – Adjust color formulations.

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I have an older Prophet® unit, the MA58 – is it compatible with the RapidMatch™ program software?

No. The older model instrument (MA58) is not compatible and therefore we are discontinuing the service and support of the original three angle spectrophotometer. The three angle technology employed by the original Prophet® was introduced into the Refinish market in 1992. The RapidMatch™ program utilizes five viewing angles to characterize a paint coating surface. PPG’s current five angle spectrophotometer (Prophet® II / RapidMatch™ X-5) will work equally well with the RapidMatch software.

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What is the new RapidMatch™ software?

We are taking a new approach to electronic formula retrieval. To eliminate the guesswork in searching for the best variant formula, using the spectrophotometer in your daily workflow will provide a fast and simple solution to selecting the best “Rated” formula. By using the OEM Code Search workflow, the target color of the vehicle will be rated against the Prime, Variants and any Special field formulas available in the selected paint system. The returned formulas are ranked so you can make the decision on which is the best formula for the repair. The lower the Match Rating – the better the match. In some instances, a formula may be further adjusted.

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What is Match Rating?

Match Rating is a scientifically developed algorithm that utilizes the color information or reflectance data obtained from the spectrophotometer. A comparison is made between the vehicle Target color and the color database. The lower the Match Rating, the better chance to retrieve a blendable formula for the vehicle repair.

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Why is the OEM Code Search the best option?

The OEM Code Search is the highly preferred route to obtain the most likely blendable match. The search is conducted within the correct effect pigmentation for the OE vehicle undergoing repair.

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What is a "good" Match Rating?

Our studies and numerous field trial results proved the following set of Match Rating guidelines to assist the refinisher in their decision making process. These are “suggested” guidelines only. A Visual Check is always recommended prior to mixing and repairing the vehicle.

  • Match Rating between 0 and 10: Blendable for Metallic and Pearl colors
  • Match Rating between 11 and 20: Check visual reference
  • Match Rating greater than 20: Tinting may be required
  • Match Rating of 5 or less: Blendable for Solid colors

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    What is the Adjust feature?

    In some situations, a formula can be further adjusted. The Adjust Button will appear when conditions are mathematically right to perform an adjustment to the selected formula. The adjustment offered will provide some directional improvement in color. If the Adjust Button is “grayed out” the best formulas have already been provided to the user.

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    What is Filtered Search?

    When performing an OEM Code Search, there is an option to take the search in a different direction. Filtered Search focuses on the effect pigment of a returned formula from the Match Rating formula list. By selecting a Match Rating formula as the starting point, it will be the Anchor by which all other returned formulas will be rated. The key search criteria are the effect pigment(s) of the Anchor formula. This search routine will provide further options beyond the original OEM code and provide the refinisher with an additional list of best match formulas – all showing their corresponding Match Rating value and comparison to the anchor.

    Effect Compatibility = More than Anchor [This formula type has the same effect pigments as the Anchor – and more. Use the Compare feature to compare the Anchor to the More than Anchor formulas.]

    Effect Compatibility = Some of Anchor [This formula type has at least one of the effect pigments when compared to the Anchor selected; but it does have some additional effect pigments. Use the Compare feature to compare the Anchor to the Some of Anchor formulas.]

    Effect Compatibility = Same as Anchor [This formula type has the same effect pigments when compared to the Anchor selected.]

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    What is the Wild Card Search feature?

    A Wild Card Search routine should only be performed when there is no OEM code information available for the Target Car Color. In this search routine, the entire Refinish color database is available to find the closest match.

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    How do I obtain the RapidMatch™ program software?

    To obtain the PaintManager™ Program Software with RapidMatch™ functionality, go to PPG Online Ordering:

    ppg customers
    nexa autocolor customers
    Part No. PPG13 – CD Product Part No. PM70 – CD Product
    Part No. PPG112 – License Agreement Part No. PaintMGR – License Agreement

    Install codes and billing information will transfer.

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    Do I still need the TouchMix™ Paint Manager™ CD if I order the new PaintManager™ product?

    No. Current users of TouchMix™ Paint Manager™ (purple CD) will transition to the new PaintManager™ CD product during the first 6 months of 2011. By mid-2011, all solvent borne and water borne paint users will be using the most current software product and taking full advantage of both updated programming, functionality and especially, improved spectro capability – Search – Rate – Adjust.

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    I use only solventborne paint lines—when can I adopt the RapidMatch™ program software?

    All Refinish and Fleet paint system users are now able to take advantage of the new PaintManager™ program software with RapidMatch™ technology beginning in January 2011.

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    Will I get the same results with RapidMatch™ software as I did with Prophet­® II program?

    No. The new RapidMatch™ innovative software has the capability to search a wider database of color formulas and reflectance data versus the previous software product. The new RapidMatch™ software also has advance algorithms that enhance the ability to Search, Rate and Adjust a wide variety of automotive colors, including the increased use of effect pigmentation. The “old” Prophet® II product utilized a smaller database of color formula reflectances and did not have advanced algorithms to characterize color. Therefore, comparing the results from one system to another would not be advisable.

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    Will my old Prophet® II readings transfer to the new PaintManager™ software for use with the RapidMatch™ program?

    No. The old Prophet® II measurements are not able to be converted directly for use in the RapidMatch™ program due to the new algorithms and newly formatted data structure required to calculate the Match Rating values and subsequent Adjust features. To preserve your old Prophet® II files, we recommend users take the stored measurements in the TouchMix™ Paint Manager™ software, convert to the desired paint system(s) and generate color formulas; then save the subsequent formula as a custom formula. When it comes time for you to move to the new PaintManager™ program software, those formulas will be transferred. Follow up with a print out of the formula and save for your records.

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    Can RapidMatch™ work with tri-coat colors?

    Yes. RapidMatch™ program software will assess a tri-coat and provide Search – Rate results, but the Adjust feature will not be available.

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    Are there any paint systems that will not work with RapidMatch™?

    PPG and Nexa Autocolor offer a variety of paint systems to meet the needs of the collision and commercial segments. The use of the spectrophotometer and software with these paint systems depends on the paint system chemistry as well as reflectance library. Search and Rate is available for the following Premium and Value segment paint systems:

    PPG
    NEXA AUTOCOLOR
    *Envirobase® High Performance *Aquabase® Plus
    *Deltron® 2000 (DBC) 2K™
    *Concept® (DCC) *Value-Pro™
    *Global Refinish System® (GRS)
    *Delfleet®
    Delta®
    *OMNI™
    *ShopLine™

    *These paint systems have the Adjust feature available

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    How do I know if my paint system will work or not?

    A good indication if your desired paint system contains enough reflectance data to perform a RapidMatch™ Search and Rate assessment can be determined on the paint system selection screen, Select a Mixing Scheme – Paint System. Based on the OEM color and selected paint system, the available reflectance data per Prime, Variant and Special field formulas will be denoted by an asterisk (*) in the Reflectance Available column. If there are limited reflectance data points available, the Match Rating return values may be high.

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    I received a warning message, "Match Rating TOO High – Check the color info"?

    It is important to ensure that the downloaded reflectance file is properly identified with the correct OEM code information. An incorrect data entry could cause the Match Rating results to be high.

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    I received a warning message, "An adjustment could not be performed"?

    When a selected formula is adjusted, the formula’s components are fixed and their amounts will remain the same or will be either increased or decreased proportionally as to direct the color closer to the target. When this criteria is used in the adjust computation, it may not be able to “move” the color into the best direction to the target color. In those instances, a message will tell the user that an adjustment could not be performed.

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