A Border spray painting apprentice will test himself against the best of his peers in a national colour competition later this year.
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Daniel Chandler, 22, won the Victorian round of the annual PPG Colour Matching Competition in Melbourne earlier this month, with Benalla's Larry Franklin finishing second.
Both apprentices study at GOTAFE Wangaratta, which has been entering students in the long-running industry event for 16 years.
Mr Chandler is a fourth-year apprentice at Albury's BF Panels while Mr Franklin, in his second year, works for Dosser Panels, Benalla.
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GOTAFE automotive engineering team leader Mark Ward said the Victorian entrants were given one hour to match and recreate two set colours but judges looked for more than that.
"They judge them on the best colour match, of course, but they judge on cleanliness, how they conduct themselves," Mr Ward said.
"They lose points if they're dirty, if they have too much paint left over, depending on how much their spray guns are cleaned, it all comes into that.
"It's really good for the students, it gives them that bit of eye for detail."
Mr Ward praised Mr Chandler's achievement to reach the national final in October.
"We have an honour board of kids who have competed over the years, Daniel's probably only the fourth one over the years to get to the level he's got," he said.
Mr Chandler said he enjoyed the competition but hadn't expected to win.
"It was a bit of a challenge," he said.
"I think the best thing was just to relax and calm my mind, really."