A computer implemented method for matching paint on a vehicle, having the
steps of receiving in a central computer, from a remote terminal, vehicle
identifying information relating to a specific vehicle and a first set of
paint color data from a portion of the body of the vehicle. The central
computer includes a processor, an electronic storage means in which a
database is stored. The database includes vehicle identifying information
for a plurality of vehicles, paint color data associated with respective
vehicle identifying information, and paint formulations associated with
paint color data. A first process by software in the computer determines
a first best match paint formulation which relates submitted vehicle
identifying information and submitted paint data to a paint formulation.
The software in the computer determines a first best match paint
formulation which is transmitted to the remote terminal. The central
computer receives a second set of paint color data from the remote
terminal representing a surface of the specific vehicle painted with the
first best paint formulation and compares by a second process the second
paint color data to the first paint color data so as to establish
accuracy data. The accuracy data is applied to the first process so as to
be implemented in subsequent paint formulation identifications.