C1 1955 Paint

[Rick H.]

I have finally got my basket case 1955 #504 to the state of getting it sprayed. Even though it is the common Polo White and Sportsman red, I have a little problem deciding what paint formulations to actually use.

I have found Valspar paint numbers that correspond to:
1-The PPG number for Polo White - 8011, and
2-The DuPont numbers for both Polo White and Sportsman Red, 57758 and 57586 respectively.
However, my painter has never used Valspar before and is reluctant to do so.

Can any of you tell me any modern paint vendors that produce mixes that have proven to be equivalent to the original or at least close enough so that it gets by the NCRS judges?

Thank you.

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 1955 Paint

I don't know the paint number but if you have all white vetts to gather ,almost each will have a different tint (Color) and they all seem to pass NCRS. So I don't think you have to worry that much. Good luck with it.

[Mike M.]

Re: C1 1955 Paint

disagree with bubbletop. i've judged 53-55 white vettes. if they are appliance white(shade most incorrect early vettes get painted) , they receive a deduction. mike

[Roy B.]

Re: C1 1955 Paint"mike"

You may be correct about the paint getting a hit because you do many NCRS events " Not me " , that's why I said ( they all seem to pass) and not that ALL pass with out getting a hit.

[Charles C.]

Re: C1 1955 Paint

Rick,

it is important to get the white correct on the early Vettes. But, if you look at several 53-55 side by side, they will be different. But as noted in an earlier response, you don't want an "applicance" white.

You can order PPG paint (including lacquer) at www.ppgcarpaint.com. I have bought several whites from them and they have been quite correct. I have old paint chips I have compared them against and they have been as close as I would expect. They also have other than lacquer of course.

Alternatively, if you have a white that you believe is correct, but want a different brand of paint, you can spray a sample and have a professional paint shop color match it. Where ever you get it, you will want to then spray a test run and see if it approximates what you believe is the correct shade. Also, get some extra as you want to have plenty to finish the job. On one of my car's I just had painted (red), my painter ran out of paint and the second batch we ordered was slightly different.

Charles