Orange...smorge C2 Chevy Orange paint differences

[Jim V.]

Which spray bomb is most original in color for a 65 SB....VHT or Dupli-color?

The pic does not show the cap differences very well...but the VHT has MORE red while the Dupli-color is quite orange.... I have an original block with some original paint and it appears to have more red than the DC cap. I have tested some on the block and will report back once it dries. Also, after painting a damper, the DC looks overly glossy as well. Hard to match when your looking at 41 year old paint! Right know I would say the VHT looks like a better match.

Thanks for the feedback!

[John H.]

Re: Orange...smorge C2 Chevy Orange paint differen

Jim -

It's very subjective, but I prefer the Quanta Chevy Orange - not as glossy as most of the others.

[Robert Wingerter]

Re: Orange...smorge C2 Chevy Orange paint differen

Neither. I tested 4 colors to an original block and "Plasticoat" was dead on. I have the results posted on my website at :

http://home.comcast.net/~rlwing/other_webpages/Other_info/tip_chevy_orange.htm

Hope it helps. This also closely matches Eastwoods Chevy Orange powder coat color too.

[Joe L.]

Re: Orange...smorge C2 Chevy Orange paint differen

Jim------

I've purchased and sprayed test panels of virtually every "Chevrolet Orange" paint on the market; at least 25-30 different brands. Every one is different, although for some the differences are very subtle. I believe that one of the reasons for all the differences is the fact that the original "Chevrolet Orange" paint used over the 1957 to 1977 period was not the same for all years or, even, for the Flint and Tonawanda engine plants. So, it depends upon which of these that a particular company replicates. Another problem with many of these paints is the degree of glossiness. Most of them are WAY too glossy compared to original paint. Don't forget, the paint manufacturers are not necessarily trying to exactly duplicate the original paint in every way; many folks, although not NCRS types, LIKE glossy paint. So, glossy is what they make.

For 62-65, and especially small blocks, I feel that the original paint was much redder than that used for later years. The one that I think most closely matches this in both shade and glossiness is the Bowman brand sold by Paragon. For later C2 and earlier C3, the Quanta brand is the best match. Actually, I think that both the Bowman and Quanta paints for the respective year ranges I mentioned are not really quite red enough, but I think that they're the closest match.

[Verne Frantz]

Re: Orange...smorge C2 Chevy Orange paint differen

Joe,
I know you have done more testing on this subject than anyone, but stop and think - don't most people today apply a primer/sealer to their blocks for restoration before applying color? We know the engine plants didn't do that. And we know that the color under the paint will affect the way the top coat will appear. I think the best answer most people need would reflect a combination of primer/sealer choice and color choice to achieve the most historically accurate final finish.
I would appreciate your thoughts, since I am getting close to that decision myself on a '62 Tonawanda block.

Thanks
Verne

[Patrick H.]

Re: Orange...smorge C2 Chevy Orange paint differen

Verne,

I used a black epoxy primer/sealer on my 71 before painting it with Quanta orange, BUT I used the spray-on enamel rather than the aerosol can. I think the color is about perfect when compared to my original 72 as well as other original orange parts I own.

The next time I pain an engine for myself, I will do it by color matching original orange parts and spraying enamel since Quanta no longer sells it by the quart. I won't do it with spray bombs.

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: Orange...smorge C2 Chevy Orange paint differen

Verne-----

Some folks might use primer/sealer prior to engine painting but I don't. I tried it once and found that the result is that after applying the paint over the primer, the finish looks too smooth and the paint too thick. It does not look "factory" to me, at all. It does produce a higher quality paint job and, perhaps, more durable but it just doesn't look "the way it was" to me.

Also, I consider the priming/sealing to be completely unnecessary. Using a high quality engine paint in spray cans works just fine and is very long lasting. For example, the 350 engine that I removed from my 1969 recently, installed and painted by me in 1975 with a spray can, still looked perfect as far as paint was concerned. None of the paint had peeled off or really deteriorated in any significant way even after 30 years. How could paint be much better than that?

[Verne Frantz]

Re: Orange...smorge C2 Chevy Orange paint differen

It was suggested to me my friends that the primer/sealer route was the "better" way to go today, although I have never done it that way in the past. I was considering it, but I agree with you Joe; a lot of the texture in the cast iron will get filled in and the result will be a bit too smooth. I think I'll follow your advice - use a high quality paint and "shoot" for authenticity.

Verne
PS: I was planning on using my little DeVilbiss detail gun, so it's a bit of a bummer that the Quanta is no longer available in quarts....

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: Orange...smorge C2 Chevy Orange paint differen

I can vouch for using the primer prior to painting. Just last weekend I shot my son's '76 350 block with Glasurit grey urethane primer, followed by VHT Orange and baked it using the body panel lamp. The finish is worthy of a street rod show car, ultra smooth and very shiny. Needless to say we aren't concerned about originality for this car