a computer implemented method for matching paint on a vehicle , having the steps of receiving in a central computer , from a remote terminal , 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 means 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 . a first process by software in the computer determines a first best match paint formulation which relates submitted vehicle identifying information and submitted paint data to a paint formulation . the software in the computer determines a first best match paint formulation which is transmitted to the remote terminal . the central computer receives a second set of paint color data from the remote terminal representing a surface of the specific vehicle painted with the first best paint formulation and compares by a second process the second paint color data to the first paint color data so as to establish accuracy data . the accuracy data is applied to the first process so as to be implemented in subsequent paint formulation identifications .