When you guys are matching off-the-shelf paint, what do you use for samples?

I was thinking I was going to 3D print some quick samples with a flat side, 90 degree bend, and a concave/convex side to try and best match the paint.  Then I thought "that sounds like a lot of overkill..." and I thought about just painting a strip of metal or cardboard or something.

What do you guys do?

Also, which of these looks like the best match?  Can you find a better one that is readily available? 

Bahama Blue Metallic https://www.amazon.com/Dupli-Color-EBGM05337-Metallic-Exact-Match-Automotive/dp/B00407RS9A

https://i.imgur.com/1QuScym.jpg

Teal Metallic https://www.amazon.com/Dupli-Color-BCC0386-Automotive-Paint-Fluid_Ounces/dp/B00407X984

https://i.imgur.com/XN9IDf9.jpg

Medium Blue Metallic https://www.amazon.com/Dupli-Color-EBFM03827-Metallic-Exact-Match-Automotive/dp/B00407RQOM

https://i.imgur.com/uM3mORY.jpg

Intense Blue Pearl https://www.amazon.com/Dupli-Color-BCC0422-Intense-Chrysler-Automotive/dp/B00407RRPK

https://i.imgur.com/sb2fC3d.jpg

In reply to Mr_Asa :

What are we matching the color too? 

The piece in the pictures?

Everybody's got their own method. I'm colorblind which in some ways makes it easier for me.

Take the part to the paint store. Have them use the special camera to get paint code. Buy 2 oz of paint to test and shoot it on spray out cards. Then if I get a good match (have others give me opinions also)  I choose primer color based on which one works best to match topcoat color.

[URL=https://s240.photobucket.com/user/NOTATA/media/spoilers%20flares%2070%20TA%20repairs%20and%20paint/20161205_121714_zpsvxdqwxrj.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=https://s240.photobucket.com/user/NOTATA/media/spoilers%20flares%2070%20TA%20repairs%20and%20paint/20161205_121655_zps3auqrcse.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=https://s240.photobucket.com/user/NOTATA/media/67%20Camaro%20RS%20SS%20Conv/20170214_124054_zpspvvynz4r.jpg.html][/URL]

Everybody's got their own method. I don't use spray cans but you could use the test spray cards. I'm colorblind which in some ways makes it easier for me. Here's what I do.

Take the part to the paint store. Have them use the special camera to get paint code. Buy 2 oz of paint to test and shoot it on spray out cards. Then if I get a good match (have others give me opinions also)  I choose primer color based on which one works best to match topcoat color.

[URL=https://s240.photobucket.com/user/NOTATA/media/spoilers%20flares%2070%20TA%20repairs%20and%20paint/20161205_121714_zpsvxdqwxrj.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=https://s240.photobucket.com/user/NOTATA/media/spoilers%20flares%2070%20TA%20repairs%20and%20paint/20161205_121655_zps3auqrcse.jpg.html][/URL]

[URL=https://s240.photobucket.com/user/NOTATA/media/67%20Camaro%20RS%20SS%20Conv/20170214_124054_zpspvvynz4r.jpg.html][/URL]

In reply to NOT A TA :

Part of the problem with that is that pretty much everything on the motor is faded or stained, so it isn't the "correct" color anyways.  There are companies that make and sell vintage Evinrude colors at two or three times the price of the Duplicolor stuff.  I'm not looking to get that far into it, I just have two or three replacement parts that are from different engines that are different colors and I don't want them to be glaringly obvious as replacements.

I've figured out you are painting a boat motor now.  There are four links to paint in the original post...

If you are adding old pieces to another old piece, and only want to paint part of it, you will never make it look right.  You need to paint the whole thing, so just pick a colour and spray it.