A method for matching paint on a vehicle, having the steps of receiving in a central computer vehicle identifying information relating to a specific vehicle and a first set of paint color data from a portion of the body of the vehicle. The central computer includes a processor, an electronic storage device in which a database is stored. The database includes vehicle identifying information for a plurality of vehicles, paint color data associated with respective vehicle identifying information, and paint formulations associated with paint color data. Software in the computer determines a best match paint formulation which relates submitted vehicle identifying information and submitted paint data to a paint formulation and compares the matched paint color data to the submitted paint color data so as to establish accuracy data. The accuracy data is applied to the process so as to be implemented in subsequent paint formulation identifications.