Visual gloss scaling and multidimensional scaling analysis of painted specimens

Painted panels were prepared in a wide range of gloss and in three achromatic colors (white, middle grey, and black) by varying the composition and heat treatment of an automotive acrylic-lacquer system. Magnitude scaling was used to estimate visual dissimilarities between the members of all possible pairs of specimens in series of 15–20 samples. The data were analyzed by multidimensional scaling using several commercially available computer programs. The experiments were carried out and the results are discussed for evaluation of several types of gloss: distinctness-of-image, specular, contrast, sheen, and reflection haze. The resulting interval scales were all unidimensional. The visual data were correlated with a variety of instrumental gloss measurements made on the same specimens by using commercially available glossmeters.