Paint colors - how far off?

[Mike Cobine]

Does anyone know how far 1989 Corvette Red WA9239 (NAPA 40212) is from 1963 Red and 1968 Red in looks?

1963 Riverside Red Dupont 2931-L, I/R-M A-1138, Ditzler DDL-70961
Same Dupont and Ditzler for 1959-1962 Roman Red.

1968 Rally Red Dupont 4688-LH, I/R-M A-1744R, Ditzler 71491

[Ed Jennings]

Re: Paint colors - how far off?

Not sure about the later model paint, but both the Roman/Riverside Red and the Rally Red are pretty orangy in bright light.

[Stephen W.]

Re: Paint colors - how far off?

I couldn't tell you how far "off" the colors would be but I have to ask why you need to match up colors from different years? I'm a former paint rep for RM and I would get old car formulas all the time for restorations. I would only need to make a phone call to get the needed info. Many times the restorer would buy a pint of color to spray out a test panel. If you have a piece of the car thats original you can "adjust" the color to the part but using the color formula. Your paint jobber will help you do this. Decide what brand of paint is available locally and find out when the paint rep will be in town. Arrange to meet him there to discuss your needs. He has a lot of resources to help you get the color you need in the type of paint system you want.
Good luck

[Mike Cobine]

Re: Paint colors - how far off?

Well, Steve, the problem I have had is two-fold.

First, I can't get lacquer locally here in Central Florida. I have a piece that can be matched, but the local shops don't sell the lacquer. Since the car is 90% original, I hate to spray enamel on half a fender.

Second, since I am having problems with the lacquer, I have two cars that will need paint in the next year and want to gt some now if possible. One is a '63 and the other '68, so naturally they are not the same color of red.

I located someone with a bunch of quart cans of 1989 Corvette red lacquer and if the color is close enough, could live with that. If not, it might be possible to get one of the shops to mix to match, if I supply the lacquer in the first place.

I had hoped in my previous question that someone in Florida had info on a shop where they did get lacquer, but I didn't get any response along those lines.

[Stephen W.]

Re: Paint colors - how far off?

Thats a shame you cannot purchase lacquer in Florida. I stopped down to my jobbed to get a pint of rally green for my 68 with no trouble at all, He did have to make a call to Ditzler to get the correct formula but...
I live in New York. Paint can be UPS'ed as long as you have the safety clips on the can to lock the lid in place. Have you tried getting in touch with a Ditzler paint rep? If you have a VoTech school near you speak with the shop teacher. As a paint rep I would often do paint clinics for schools. Try contacting the paint manufacturers online to see if something can be worked out even if it means a road trip to a neighboring state. If you are strictly looking for "factory pack" You will be dealing with paint that has questionable shelf life. Pigments change and the binders can go bad making an unstable paint finish with color variences from can to can now that they are old. I had to pull old paint from my jobbers shelves to rotate his stock just to avoid paint problems if that tells you anything. Can you get in touch with any Antique car clubs? they are sure to have a way to get Lacquer.
If everything fails and you absolutely have to use an enamel type paint you have one thing going for you. You are dealing with a staight color without metallic. With use of the proper hardener and wet color sanding and buff you can do wonders to duplicate the look of lacquer. You will need to do full sprayout and buff on a test panel ( true color after its cured & buffed) to check your color match. Use a piece of metal with a hole in the middle about the size of a quarter. That will help you see the color match. Get the jobber to give you the formula and look at the tints that make up your color. Adding white to a red only makes pink. Black only makes "muddy" color. Generally you can go with the lightest color in the formula to lighten the color. The rally reds have a very orange cast so go with the Yellow tint to add to this orange cast. Color tinting takes experience and an eye for color but a novice can do a good job too. Always spray out a test panel. Let it dry and buff it the way you would on the final finish. Now you can check the final color match. Make your test panel big enough to get a good idea and put a hole in the middle. Have the formula handy and ask the jobber for a small amount of the tints that make up the color. He can guide you as to which tints will "push" the color lighter , darker or change the hue or cast. Use a basic color wheel to know what colors will "cancel" the other. Green is opposite red on the color wheel so if you add green you will "kill" the red in that color. Most paint manufacturers have tinting charts available as well.
The very first thing you need is a paint store that has been servicing body shops for many years. The local NAPA counter person usually cannot help. You need a true paint jobber thats been around in the Lacquer days. He will have the contacts you need.

Good luck

[Mike Cobine]

Re: Paint colors - how far off?

Thanks,Steve,

I was up in North Carolina on vacation a month ago. If I had known it would be such a hassle here now, I would have been looking while I was up there. I'm sure I could have put a few cans in the car for coming home.

Mike