Am I wrong to not give paint formula away for free?

[techweenie]

As the "mutual friend" referred to here, I will share my opinion.

I had Kevin paint a car Signal Yellow for me a few years back. He mentioned how difficult it was to figure out the formula. After the car was painted, there was a substantial amount of paint still in the can. Being a race car, I expected to need the rest sooner or later so I asked Kevin for the can. I got it with the paint formula cut off.

It kinda pissed me off for a while, but as I thought of it, I also thought about the analogy to my business. I sometimes apply formulas to solving problems that are "meta work products." IOW, things not necessarily paid for my my clients, who are mainly interested in the end result. I'm doing exactly that right now with an Internet marketing tool whose development time I am not billing to a client and which I will re-use in future as a proprietary mechanism.

On that basis, I think Kevin is well within his rights to put a value on research he does. I'm not saying I would be happy to be denied the favor, but I would understand.

[KevinP73]

Originally posted by Capt. Crunch
I mean, I do control the pricing structure of every last part number purchased for his business.
Capt. Crunch

I just caught this part. Does your boss know your the one who sets the price for everything I buy?

[KevinP73]

Originally posted by techweenie
As the "mutual friend" referred to here, I will share my opinion.

I had Kevin paint a car Signal Yellow for me a few years back. He mentioned how difficult it was to figure out the formula. After the car was painted, there was a substantial amount of paint still in the can. Being a race car, I expected to need the rest sooner or later so I asked Kevin for the can. I got it with the paint formula cut off.

It kinda pissed me off for a while,

I don't recall exactly why I cut the formula off the can but it may have been so I didn't have to go thru the process all over again if I ever needed it. Or, in all fairness, it may have been for the reasons you gave. I have started keeping a library of these older and harder to get formulas to save me time and trouble in the future. I'm more surprised that you say I gave you the surplus paint. Thats one thing I very seldom do.

[Capt. Crunch]

Look Kevin-

I'm over it. This is a little too much back and forth for my taste. John is not my boss champ, I am in the sales dept.


If my color turns out i'll post it here and you can use it too.

Cheers,

Capt. Crunch

[nostatic]

must have been the paint fumes

[KevinP73]

Originally posted by nostatic
must have been the paint fumes

It used to be that the fumes you inhaled simply displaced the oxygen in your blood and you would halucinate. Partially entertaining! Now days with the paint and clearcoats being catalized, the fumes you breath actually coat your lungs and then harden. It's almost like coating the inside of your lungs with plastic. The end result is that you suffocate. Far less entertaining then the halucinations of days past.

[seventyeight911]

my paint shop matches for free.

[Zeke]

Willhoit Restorations in Long Beach Charges 35 for a sprayed out sample. I don't know if they will give the formula with the sample. I don't even know why someone would pay 35 for an 8 x 8" paintd piece of metal. But, I can understand the labor and materials aspect. I voted "taking care of business."

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by techweenie
As the "mutual friend" referred to here, I will share my opinion.

I had Kevin paint a car Signal Yellow for me a few years back. He mentioned how difficult it was to figure out the formula. After the car was painted, there was a substantial amount of paint still in the can. Being a race car, I expected to need the rest sooner or later so I asked Kevin for the can. I got it with the paint formula cut off.

It kinda pissed me off for a while, but as I thought of it, I also thought about the analogy to my business. I sometimes apply formulas to solving problems that are "meta work products." IOW, things not necessarily paid for my my clients, who are mainly interested in the end result. I'm doing exactly that right now with an Internet marketing tool whose development time I am not billing to a client and which I will re-use in future as a proprietary mechanism.

On that basis, I think Kevin is well within his rights to put a value on research he does. I'm not saying I would be happy to be denied the favor, but I would understand.

Tech,

If I were paying a shop to paint my car I would expect them to give me the formula for the paint. After all, they might not be in business when I needed something touched up, or I might move to another part of the country. In this case I feel that the paint code should be shared with the customer.

Hopefully Kevin kept the info off of the can to make it easier for him to duplicate in the future for other customers and I would think that he would give it to you if asked. Giving it away for free is one thing but you were a paying customer and thats different.

[KevinP73]

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Tech,

If I were paying a shop to paint my car I would expect them to give me the formula for the paint. After all, they might not be in business when I needed something touched up, or I might move to another part of the country. In this case I feel that the paint code should be shared with the customer.

Hopefully Kevin kept the info off of the can to make it easier for him to duplicate in the future for other customers and I would think that he would give it to you if asked. Giving it away for free is one thing but you were a paying customer and thats different.

Oh Oh the tables are turning. OK thread over!
Thanks for comming, move along folks, nothing to see here.
.
.
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Truth of the matter is Tech gets the short end of my moodieness often but he takes it all in stride and I take that into consideration when he has needs. Hopefully the tally will come out even in the end.

[wrecktech]

As an added feature on the "Smart Color" CD it gives you a printout setup that we often print on an adhesive sticker and put it in the glovebox. And it beats microfiche all to hell.

[Joeaksa]

Kevin,

In Tech's case, he paid you to paint the car. What if you, God forbid, were killed in a car accident shortly afterwards. Now he wants to have the car repaired after someone backed into it and needs to paint part of the car. Why should someone else have to go through the same hassle when Tech already should have the info on the paint you applied?

In Crunch's case he DID NOT pay a penny to support your labor, then had a lacky call instead of doing it himself and I fully support your case there. Compare apples and apples, not apples and oranges.

[scottmandue]

I think to redeem himself Kevin should paint my car for free and the good captain can donate the paint.

What time should I drop by Kev?

[KevinP73]

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Kevin,

In Tech's case, he paid you to paint the car. What if you, God forbid, were killed in a car accident shortly afterwards. Now he wants to have the car repaired after someone backed into it and needs to paint part of the car. Why should someone else have to go through the same hassle when Tech already should have the info on the paint you applied?

In Crunch's case he DID NOT pay a penny to support your labor, then had a lacky call instead of doing it himself and I fully support your case there. Compare apples and apples, not apples and oranges.

In this case your not too far off base. From Tech's pov he has every right to have the formula. From the pov of the "other" body shop I'd say let them earn it just like I had to. Most paint dealers will do a free color match. Thats fine when you have an existing panel the color you want or when the customer has surplus paint from the original refinish.
P.S. most paint dealers put a copy of the formula on the backside of the label also where it won't get obscured. Tech might want to look there. And if not I'll be happy to sell him the formula for a subway sandwich and a cold drink, especially today.

[KevinP73]

Originally posted by scottmandue
I think to redeem himself Kevin should paint my car for free and the good captain can donate the paint.

What time should I drop by Kev?

I'm outta here 'bout 5:00 so lets say 'round 6:30?..... come to think of it my redeeming myself has gone from titties and beer to me painting another car!!!!!!!!!! lets get back to the titties and beer. C'mon everyone (chant) titties and beer, titties and beer.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by KevinP73 And if not I'll be happy to sell him the formula for a subway sandwich and a cold drink, especially today.

If you want a margarita, I have a pitcher ready to go out by the pool right now.

BBQ ribs will be ready about 5:30. You are always welcome here!

Joe

[Joeaksa]

Does this help?

[scottmandue]

Originally posted by KevinP73
come to think of it my redeeming myself has gone from titties and beer to me painting another car!!!!!!!!!! lets get back to the titties and beer.

Hey, inflation... what can I say!

[KevinP73]

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Does this help?

I'd paint that for free!!

[techweenie]

Originally posted by KevinP73
I'd paint that for free!!

I'd help with the prep.

And with polishing it out!

;-)