A method and apparatus (10) for custom blending spray paints. A customer
provides a sample (S) of a color to be matched. The sample is tested on a
spectrophotometer to determine the colors needed to match the sample; or
if the paint formula is known, it is entered into the apparatus. A
computer control (16) causes metered quantities of each colorant to be
pumped from a reservoir (50) to a manifold (68). From the manifold, paint
is injected through a filling head (46) into a discharge valve (V) and dip
tube (P) of a precharged aerosol container (C) to be filled. Solvent from
a tank (74) is used between a final injection of colorant to flush out the
manifold and a dip tube (P) of the container. After the colors have been
injected into the container, the container is shaken so that the colors
intermix with each other to produce a paint of the desired custom color
which is readily sprayed from the container.