Paint studies enable the understanding of pathologies of paint failure and guide surface preparation for long-term paint campaigns.

An exposure window is created by removing overpaint layer-by-layer to reveal an original decorative scheme. Even when research has been done and perhaps photos of the historic finishes are available, the reveal is a highly rewarding process. Generally, exposure windows are made in several locations of the building. This allows presenting a carefully mapped, comprehensive decorative scheme of an interior as it appeared at a previous point in time. Paint samples from the exposure windows are microscopically analyzed. Their findings are then matched with Munsell colors to determine the precise original paint scheme, guiding the recommendations for conservation and restoration.