Cactus Gray Deep Dive Color Analysis and Comparison

[That_Hal]

Just because I cannot leave well enough alone, I bought the touchup paint for Jet Fighter Gray and applied it to test samples today.
In the case of Cactus Gray (CG), there is just not 'well enough' information available.

Long post, sorry. Lots of photos.
The Spray Can and Source ( https://www.automotivetouchup.com/touch-up-paint/ford/2021/bronco/ )

These samples are NOT clear coated:

These samples are clear coated.

This photo and color is the closest approximation to what I see and how it appears in-hand.

The light Box used:

The color analysis:

More blue than green in CIE-L *ab color measurements.

The breakdown...

The black looks like regular carbon black in the supernatant.; however, there is a blue/green tint in the pellet (polymer) fraction.

One more thing...
Because I'm 'that guy', I've included RL comparison with Sting Gray (Jeep). Yes, I did ask permission to take these photos.

Note on the lighting:
It was about 5pm, cloudy (Delta's fault).

Personal note: I do like this color. It is dynamic and is a "Local Color" paint. It changes color based on your perception and the light/colors around it.
I will keep the samples and revisit the photos on a sunny day in the future.

You my friend win bronco obsessed of the year!

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[Lab00Rat]

You my friend win bronco obsessed of the year!

You have no idea how far I took this. I decided not to post the UV/Vis and IR analysis and stopped short of NMR of the two components.

However, time is the enemy of those waiting for B&P.

 

[That_Hal]

You have no idea how far I took this. I decided not to post the UV/Vis and IR analysis and stopped short of NMR of the two components.

However, time is the enemy of those waiting for B&P.

Post everything!
Is paint your profession?

 

[Lab00Rat]

Post everything!
Is paint your profession?

yes

 

[That_Hal]

yes

That's awesome! Such a good job and thank you for posting! Sounds super helpful!

 

[steevenk]

yes

Was it less cloudy when you took the pictures on the walk way? Is the bluish tint When next to Jeep coming from the late afternoon overcast lighting?

I was camping on Lake Superior last weekend and if I had parked a white bronco on the shore at sunset you would have sworn it was orange.

these were taken less than a minute apart

 

[Lab00Rat]

Was it less cloudy when you took the pictures on the walk way? Is the bluish tint When next to Jeep coming from the late afternoon overcast lighting?

I was camping on Lake Superior last weekend and if I had parked a white bronco on the shore at sunset you would have sworn it was orange.

these were taken less than a minute apart

The sun poked through when I was taking the photos with gloss clear coat. The clouds returned (but not thick) when I took the photos on the Jeep. It was not dusk, which would add a reddish hue to the images (like yours).

 

[Megawatt]

@Lab00Rat

Awesome work. Now tell everyone the CG will cause aluminum to corrode and therefore everyone should stay away from it. CG has always been on my list so I don’t want every other Bronco to be the same color out here in Sin city.

 

[lobbs611]

Impressive work!!

 

[BroncoKong Jr.]

I replied previously, but forgot to thank you for your incredibly helpful and thorough work here, @Lab00Rat ?

 

[Lab00Rat]

Camera correction matters and local color matters.
When there is a reference color for you eye to 'correct' for color, CG appears gray.
When there is no reference color like gray, brown, sand, low light, or silver, the color appears to have a green or blue hue.
If a reference color is close enough, the color is gray. This is why every CG photo on the Ford website appears different. There are no reference colors close to the vehicle to correct perceptions of CG. They are all browns, sand, or low light, even the colorizer lacks a reference background.

My concern with these interpretations is that once there is enough surface area (whole vehicle) to not need a reference color, then it will be flat gray.

Here is uncorrected and perceived color of cactus gray.

Here is color corrected with reference colors close.
The camera was on manual and all setting were similar.

I'll keep at the color references and lighting, but this is the real color of Cactus Gray.

Here is an edited photo set of a full size Bronco not in full sun or bright light.
This is close to what I see in similar lighting conditions.
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/thre...onco-sasquatch-w-mic-hardtop.6625/post-240065

 

[Compta38]

I’m just hoping there is more of the “mint green hue” to it

I saw the painted jerry can in person yesterday and the color I would say is closest to CG in real world would be Toyota Cement but a bit lighter with a TINY touch of green. It might appear to have a green to it in pictures or around other grays but its nowhere near the reveal color. My wife actually likes it more seeing it in person and thats the color we are getting. I would have preferred a tad more mint but its still a great color and will probably be the one of the most common.

 

[SpecOpsHippie]

Cactus gray sport. How does this compare to what you are seeing?

 

[Lab00Rat]

Cactus gray sport. How does this compare to what you are seeing?

It's very similar to the uncorrected image with the black background. The light in this photo is low and the camera compensated, but washed out the hue and added a slight brown tint.

 

[SpecOpsHippie]

It's very similar to the uncorrected image with the black background. The light in this photo is low and the camera compensated, but washed out the hue and added a slight brown tint.

Thank you.

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