Group standard VW 50195

Issue 2019-03
Class. No.: 50202

Descriptors: automotive paint finish, color distance, color difference, colorimetrics, effect paint, paint, solid paint

Colorimetric Evaluation of Exterior Automotive Paint Finishes

Previous issues
VW 50195: 2002-11

Changes
The following changes have been made to VW 50195: 2002-11:
– Standard converted to current layout and restructured
– Title of standard changed ("Exterior" added)
– Section 1 "Scope" updated
– Section 2.2 "Effect paint" revised
– Section 2.4 "Reference": Reference to ONE.Konzern Business Platform added
– Section 3.1 "Test device": Reference to ONE.Konzern Business Platform added
– Section 3.2.1 "Solid paint" updated (point-based lighting and observation geometry added)
– Section 3.2.2 "Effect paint" revised
– Section 3.5.1 "Measurable parts": Example of SMC feature updated
– Section 4.2 "Total color distance dE'γ": Reference to ONE.Konzern Business Platform added
– Technical responsibility updated
– Applicable documents updated
– Other editorial changes

1 Scope
QUELLE: NOLIS

This Volkswagen standard (VW) defines the evaluation criteria for evaluating color deviations and
the measurement and evaluation conditions for the device-based determination of color differences
for paints in body color.

Always use the latest version of this standard.

This electronically generated standard is authentic and valid without signature. A comma is used as the decimal sign. Page 1 of 7
The English translation is believed to be accurate. In case of discrepancies, the German version controls.

Technical responsibility The Standards department

GQL-P/1 Stephan Meier Tel.: +49 5361 9 961882
GQL-P/1 Eckart Herrmann Tel.: +49 5361 9 26163 K-ILI/5 Ute Hager-Suess K-ILI
GQL-P Denis Eschwey Tel.: +49 5361 9 49035 Uwe Wiesner
All rights reserved. No part of this document may be provided to third parties or reproduced without the prior consent of one of the Volkswagen Group’s Standards
departments.
© Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft VWNORM-2018-11
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2 Definitions

2.1 Solid paint

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

2.2 Effect paint

Paint structure containing directional, reflective effect elements, such as metal or glass pigments,
in addition to diffuse reflective color pigments. The color impression is highly dependent on the se-
lected direction of lighting and observation.

2.3 Effect angle (test angle)

The effect angle γ is the angle measured from the reflection angle of the incident light toward the
incident light beam (see DIN 6175-2).

2.4 Reference
The reference is the specification by the brand's appropriate Process Engineering department (dig-
ital reference, original hue, target value, or the like).
The reference must be obtained as a digital reference for each color via the ONE.Konzern Busi-
ness Plattform (ONE.KBP) (Volkswagen Group Supply – www.vwgroupsupply.com) with the follow-
ing path:
Start > Information > Divisions > Production > Color programs (digital references of original hues)

3 Testing

3.1 Test device

Measurement devices that can perform colorimetry as per DIN EN ISO 11664-3 (International
Commission on Illumination (CIE) color values) at the required test angles must be used as the test
devices. Appropriate data for the reference as per section 2.4 must be available for the measuring
device type via ONE.KBP.
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3.2 Test angle

3.2.1 Solid paint

Due to the reflection behavior of solid paints, measurements from one lighting and observation an-
gle are sufficient for the color description.
The following are suitable instrument geometries: 45°/0° or 0°/45° as per DIN 5033-7, section "45°
einseitig gerichtet: 0° Geometrie (45°x:0°)" (45° unidirectional: 0° geometry (45°x:0°)) or section
"0°: 45° einseitig gerichtet Geometrie (0°:45°x)" (0° unidirectional: 45° geometry (0°:45°x)). The il-
lumination geometry for the 45°/0° geometry, or the observation geometry for the 0°/45° geometry,
can be circular or point-based [see DIN 5033-7, section "45° ringförmig: 0° Geometrie (45°a:0°)"
(45° circular: 0° geometry (45°a:0°)) to section "0°: 45° punktuell Geometrie (0°:45°c)" (0°:45°
point-based geometry (0°:45°c))].
Agreements deviating from these specifications must be agreed upon with the brands' appropriate
departments in each case.

3.2.2 Effect paint

Devices as per DIN 5033-7, section "Beschreibung der Mehrwinkelgeometrien am Beispiel einer
Einstrahlung unter 45°" (Description of the multi-angle geometries using the example of irradiation
under 45°), with the following geometries must be used, e.g., spectrophotometer BYK-mac i1):
– 45°as:15°
– 45°as:25°
– 45°as:45°
– 45°as:75°
– 45°as:110°
Agreements deviating from these specifications must be agreed upon with the brands' appropriate
departments in each case.

3.2.3 Calibration and test equipment monitoring

Calibration must be performed as per the manufacturer's specifications. The calibration must be
checked by a control measurement on a bright color standard.
The color differences relative to the initial measurement of the color standard must be recorded for
all test angles. The color must not differ by more than 1/6 of the specified tolerance. If this value is
exceeded, the measurement system must no longer be used in the context of this standard.
The test equipment must be monitored at regular intervals by control measurements on multiple
bright color standards. Test standards whose surface and color appearance remain constant must
be used for this purpose. Appropriate measures must be taken if inconsistent values are deter-
mined (device adjustment or arrangement for maintenance).

1) Spectrophotometer BYK-mac i is the manufacturer's designation of the product, manufactured by BYK-Gardner GmbH.
This information is only intended for informational purposes for the users of this in-house standard. This does not signify an en-
dorsement of the mentioned product by the Volkswagen Group. Equivalent products may be used if it can be verified that they lead
to the same results.
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3.3 Test illuminant type/standard observer

The test illuminant types are D65/10° and F11/10° as per DIN 5033-7, section "Beobachterfunktio-
nen" (Observer functions), and section "Lichtarten" (Illuminants).
Agreements deviating from these specifications must be agreed upon with the brands' appropriate
departments in each case.

3.4 Specimen appearance

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

3.5 Procedure

3.5.1 Measurable parts

The measuring point on the specimen must be as flat as possible; the specified angular arrange-
ment cannot be adhered to for measurements performed on curved surfaces. The measuring
points must be agreed upon among the testing parties. The color data of one measuring point must
be averaged from at least 5 individual measurements. Preference must be given to the use of a
statistical measurement control (SMC), such as an SMC function provided by the firmware of the
measuring devices.
The reference and the specimens must be measured in the VW 50554 – 23/50-2 standard atmos-
phere.

3.5.2 Parts that are not directly measurable

Specimens that cannot be directly measured because of their molded-part geometry can be
checked as follows:
1. Measurement of a flat test panel painted along with the component (at least
50 mm × 100 mm), with the same substrate and structure as the component. There must be
no visual color difference between the part and the test panel. This is used as a specimen for
colorimetry.
2. Measurement using suitable gages
The exact positioning of the test panels, and the type and setup of the gages must be agreed upon
with the testing parties.

3.6 Reference
The color distances must be computed relative to the specified reference as per section 2.4 and
DIN EN ISO 11664-4.

4 Requirements

4.1 Basic requirements

Due to technical influences, the scaling and weighting factors can be revised during the production
phase. These parameters are defined by the brand's appropriate Process Engineering department.
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A visual evaluation must be performed as a validation check on the measured values. The size and
distribution of the effect-element pigments must be considered in particular.

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

The magnitude of the scaling factors depends on the chromaticity point. It takes into account the
influence of the chromaticity point on the visual acceptance of color deviations.

4.1.2 Weighting factors Wγ

The magnitude of the weighting factors depends on the type of connection (direct or indirect transi-
tions).

4.2 Total color distance dE'γ

The total color distance dE'γ is calculated as a function of the scaling factors using formula (1) and
formula (2):

(1)

or

(2)

The product of the scaling and weighting factors for each color for calculating the weighted total
color distance must be obtained from the ONE.KBP (see section 2.4).

4.3 Release procedure

The respective release methods (method A and method B) must be agreed upon with the brand's
appropriate Process Engineering department.
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4.3.1 Method A
This method evaluates the maximum, angle-dependent, total color distance maxdE'
maxdE' = max(dE'γ)
– Acceptance range 0 ≤ maxdE' ≤ 1,4
Parts/sample parts are in the OK range.
– Intervention range 1,4 < maxdE' ≤ 1,7
Parts/sample parts are in the conditionally OK (COK) range.
– Rejection threshold maxdE' > 1,7
Parts/sample parts are outside of tolerance = not OK (NOK).

4.3.2 Method B
This method evaluates the total color distance mdE' averaged over the angles.
Average total color distance:

(3)

– Acceptance range 0 ≤ mdE' ≤ 1,4

Parts/sample parts are in the OK range.
Boundary condition: maxdE' ≤ 1,7
– Intervention range 1,4≤ mdE' ≤ 1,7
Parts/sample parts are in the COK range.
Boundary condition: maxdE' ≤ 2,0
– Rejection limit mdE' > 1,7
Parts/sample parts are outside of tolerance = NOK.

5 Test report
The absolute values of the reference, the scaling and weighting factors, and the total color distan-
ces maxdE' or mdE' must be indicated in the test report.
The following information must also be included in the test report:
– Test device
– Paint number (VW L-...), number and issue date of the reference used
– Any observations or changes (such as dirt particles, haze, scratches, patchiness, etc.)
– Agreed conditions that deviate from this standard
dL*γ
[e.g., standardized color values ( )]
Wγ × SdL,γ
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6 Applicable documents
The following documents cited are necessary to the application of this document:
Some of the cited documents are translations from the German original. The translations of Ger-
man terms in such documents may differ from those used in this standard, resulting in terminologi-
cal inconsistency.
Standards whose titles are given in German may be available only in German. Editions in other
languages may be available from the institution issuing the standard.

VW 50554 Standard Atmospheres and Room Temperatures; Requirements on

Standard Atmospheres
DIN 5033-7 Colorimetry - Part 7: Measuring conditions for object colours
DIN 6175-2 Tolerances for automotive paints - Part 2: Goniochromatic paints
DIN EN ISO 11664-3 Colorimetry - Part 3: CIE tristimulus values
DIN EN ISO 11664-4 Colorimetry - Part 4: CIE 1976 L*a*b*Colour space