An 18% gray background reduces distractions and color bias, helping in a more accurate assessment.

Light should be projected through the sample to measure haze, then assess the scattered light with an integrating sphere and sensors.  The haze percentage is ascertained by the scattering light to the total transmitted light.

To quantify color change, take the original L*a*b* values of a sample, and reread after exposure or processing. Compute the difference as 1/2(Emut1 Emut2). The larger the value of ΔE, the more obvious the change of color is, which can be used in quality or stability testing.

 A spectrophotometer illuminates a sample with light or passes light through it and records the reflected or transmitted light over the wavelength range. It transforms this data into color coordinates (such as L*a*b*), allowing accurate color assessment as well as color comparison to standards.

In the study of chemical reactions, calorimetry deals with changes in heat (energy and enthalpy). Spectrophotometry is the measurement of the light absorbance or light transmittance to determine the concentration or color of a solution. The first one monitors the thermal processes, whereas the second one addresses the aspects of light and color.

The gloss scale is normally measured against the scale of 0 to 100 gloss units (GU). The scale is zero at matte and 100 at a mirror. Other very smooth surfaces can be over 100 GU at lower angles, such as 20°.

Haze measurement can be distorted by scratches on the surface, dust, temperature, and light. 

An inappropriate viewing angle may lead to reflections or color shifts in the light. The correct angle of 45 or 0 will provide the real color of the assessment without the distraction of glare.

The automotive, aerospace, metal finishing, marine, construction, and manufacturing industries utilize and rely on coating thickness gauges the most. They ensure that coatings are within the expected criteria for functionality, safety, and durability.

If there is uneven lighting, color shifts, and the light is not as bright as it was before, your lamps might have to be replaced. Recent light boxes used with Pantone, as well as Datacolor LightBooths, have usage timers that tell how long before a lamp needs to be replaced.