For all of the advancements in color measurement and management, one challenge still remains: how to accurately measure color for paint and coatings without having the instrument come in contact with the sample. In all phases of color evaluation, waiting for samples to dry, or expending the time and energy to use a drying implement, adds time to specification, development, formulation and quality control processes. In a world where time is money, manufacturers just can’t afford to sit and watch paint dry. Waiting for samples to cure to a measurable condition can take up to 24 hrs. Applying heat to the sample to dry it consumes needless energy and can change the color metrics for certain materials. In addition, production runs may already be underway before dry samples are ready, and this can result in significant amounts of waste and rework before a quality assessment can be completed.
Placing a barrier between the sample and the measurement device isn’t particularly helpful, either, since it can result in changes in appearance (especially gloss) and even color.