The PPG Colour Matching Competition will return for 2021 following a COVID-19 enforced layoff last year. PPG said no one will miss out because of the interruption, with people who were spray painting apprentices between June and August 2020 eligible to enter in 2021 alongside this year’s apprentices.
While the competition continues to focus on colour matching theory and practical skills, the ongoing fallout from COVID-19 means the 2021 event will be different to previous years. State and regional competitions will still take place around June to September 2021, with the winners representing their state in the final.
However, where state winners traditionally gathered in person for the final, they will be judged on their spray-out cards. Rather than one spray-out card for each of their final colours (a solid colour and a metallic/pearl), contestants will prepare two. One remains in the state record, while the other is sent to PPG’s Clayton Colour Laboratory. According to PPG, each spray-out card will be ‘blind’ assessed by a panel of judges, so they won’t know the cards’ state or region of origin. The winner will be crowned 2021 PPG Colour Matching Champion, with the results to include second and third placegetters.
State level winners will receive SATA’s latest premier spray gun, the SATAjet X 5500, while rewards for finishing first, second or third in the final can include prizes such as Mirka tools, additional SATA spray equipment, gaming consoles, and gift cards. The company anticipates apprentices who place first, second and third in the final will have their prizes delivered to their workplace by the PPG team.
The PPG Colour Matching Competition only has limited spots available, so the company is encouraging everyone to enter early. To register, apprentices should speak to their training provider. Information will also be posted on the PPG Colour Matching Competition Facebook page.