(of lubricating grease) – The shade and intensity observed when lubricating grease is viewed under conditions that eliminate Bloom. For example, lubricating grease in an opaque container such as a metal package can be observed under reflected light from a position approximately perpendicular to the surface. Grease color can also be observed with transmitted light by placing the sample on a transparent plate. It is important to indicate the method used to determine the color of grease. Colors of lubricating greases are best described in terms of the predominant hue such as amber, brown (or perhaps green, red, or blue for dyed grease) with a qualifying adjective describing intensity in terms of light, medium, or dark.
(of lubricating oil) – That shade shown when viewed under transmitted light only. Usually lubricating oil colors are obtained by viewing under specified conditions in test equipment. Several such methods are available, the most widely used being ASTM D1500, which describes the colors in terms of numbers.