Precision in Paint: How Smail Collision Center Perfectly Matches Your Car’s Color

At Smail Collision Center, this is now a challenge of the past. The shop’s investment in the PPG Moonwalk paint mixing system brings a whole new level of accuracy, efficiency, and consistency, making manual guesswork a thing of the past.

Meet the PPG Moonwalk System: Paint Matching Perfected

Corrine introduces viewers to the PPG Moonwalk as the centerpiece of their process. This sophisticated system stores all OEM color specifications for every paint code directly in its computer, leaving no room for interpretation or error. Whether you drive a brand-new vehicle or an older model, the system has your color formula on file.

As technician Clayton demonstrates, the process begins by selecting the correct paint code for the vehicle—in this case, a Mazda. The Moonwalk system instructs which toners to load, covering a vast array of shades. Clayton efficiently loads yellow oxide, white, pearl, red oxide, and more, each contributing its part to the final color blend. The system’s computer-controlled measurements guarantee that each color component is precisely dispensed for consistently perfect results.

Safety and Precision at Every Step

Aside from guaranteeing an accurate color formula, the Moonwalk system places great emphasis on technician safety and product integrity. Clayton highlights features like the safety bar and anti-splash inserts, which prevent splatters and ensure that each mixture remains free from contamination. The scale inside the unit further confirms every ingredient is dosed to the milligram, eliminating any doubts about consistency across multiple paint jobs.

Surprising Complexity: More Than Meets the Eye

Many vehicle owners might be surprised to learn just how many different pigments go into creating the seemingly simple color of their cars. Corrine points out that even a platinum silver color requires a blend of unexpected pigments—yellow, red, black, white, and metallics—to achieve the perfect hue and finish. Each component plays a critical role in matching not just the color, but also the depth and reflectiveness unique to modern automotive paint.

Digital Color Matching with the DigiMatch Camera

Technology doesn’t stop at mixing. The Moonwalk system is complemented by the DigiMatch color match camera. This handheld device takes detailed photographs of the actual car surface, analyzing the paint’s current shade, including any unique wear, sun fading, or subtle shifts in hue.

The DigiMatch mimics sunlight conditions to evaluate how the paint’s metallic flakes reflect light—an essential factor in matching complex automotive finishes. It then generates its own custom formula, feeding the results directly into the Moonwalk system for an even closer match to your car’s exact appearance.

A Commitment to Quality Every Time

At Smail Collision Center, combining experience, high-tech equipment, and quality materials produces a final result that’s indistinguishable from the original factory finish. The PPG Moonwalk system, paired with tools like the DigiMatch camera, sets a new benchmark in the collision repair field—making sure every repair is flawless and every customer satisfied.

For a closer look at their work or to schedule your own seamless repair, visit smailcollisioncenter.com or drop by our location on Route 30. Stay tuned for future behind-the-scenes exclusives on their latest technology and repair techniques!