Paint matching
Why RAL colour names change between languages and shops
RAL numbers stay fixed while the names get translated, shortened and reused by shops. Why the four digits are what to quote, plus a checklist for ordering.
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Workshop notes
Which primer colour to use under a RAL topcoat
Primer shade decides how many topcoats you need and whether a yellow or red ever looks right. How to pick white, light, mid or dark grey under a RAL colour.
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Screens, print and codes
How to read and use a RAL fan deck
What the strips in a RAL Classic fan deck tell you, how to hold one against a wall or a part, and how to store it so the colours stay worth trusting.
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Paint matching
Matching a RAL number at the paint counter
What happens when you ask a paint shop for a RAL number: tinting machines, bases, product types and gloss, plus how much to order so it all comes from one batch.
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