Visual Match Colors: Why You Can’t Mix Paint Runs on a Job

Are there colors you should NEVER mix from different paint runs? Yes—visual match colors.

In this Q&A Mondays, metal roofing expert, Thad Barnette and Sheffield Metals’ Tom Southerland explain why certain colors (like metallics, matte/antique black, and bright reds/blues) can vary between batches—and what to do so you don’t end up with tiger striping or mismatched panels on the same project.

What you’ll learn:

►What “Visual Match Colors” means and how paint lines verify color

►Which color families are most sensitive (metallics, matte/antique black, bright reds/blues)

►Why even small differences show on wide panels and large roof planes

►How to plan jobs to avoid mixing (use one side per batch when necessary)

►How SMI tracks paint runs and how contractors can verify a batch

Key takeaways:

►Do not mix metallics—period. They’re directional and batch-sensitive.

►Matte/antique black and some vibrant colors are also batch-sensitive.

►If you must use multiple batches, isolate them on different roof elevations/sides.

►Call Sheffield Metals with your coil number or PO to match an ongoing job