obtaining correct 1969 cortez silver code 986

[Greg L.]

I've pretty much decided to paint my car myself with lacquer but I'm having a hard time finding paint. I know it's available from PPG in the US but the Canadian PPG place I phone just looked at me like I was nuts so that would mean getting it across the border somehow. Not a big deal except that I've heard that the metalic flake in their paint is larger than the original flake so I'm not sure if that is the best choice.

The best choice I have been told is to order the correct paint from Europe because some place in Italy apparently makes the correct code 986 paint and sells it out of England.

My question is...does anyone know of a source for this paint?

My other thought is to just get some of the US PPG paint and hope it will pass judging. Does anyone know how well this paint will pass judging? It is lacquer but then again if the flakes are bigger it won't "appear" original and I'm guessing I would loose all originality points?

This question might better be directed to PPG but would anyone know if it's possible have them change the flake size in their paint on a special order? I was thinking that if the base color is correct and if I could get them to substitute the smaller flakes for the larger ones then I'd have a winner.

Any thoughts? Did I mention that I now hate metalic paints?

Greg Linton
#45455

[Patrick H.]

Re: obtaining correct 1969 cortez silver code 986

I think that Jack Humphrey had a source out of England for paint. I know that he and I discussed it a couple of years ago, and we knew it would be easier to get into Canada than the US.

You might e-mail Jack for specifics.

Or, it's time for you to take a drive south.

Patrick

[Jack H.]

What we discussed, Pat...

was the case of a Rocky Mountain Chapter member doing a SERIOUS restoration of a '63 coupe with the one-year only Sebring Silver paint. Current offset lacquer paints offered in the US are formulated differently with one noticeable difference being the size/shape/composition of the metal flakes (the use of lead in paints has LONG been EPA restricted in the US).

Our member is also a supporter of the NCRS UK Chapter and while in England for a visit, he spent time with Pete Darwell. Pete is owner/operator of Mech-Spray, a company located to the southwest of London. Pete is well known in England for working on high end classic cars including Corvette (see the article by Tom Falconer in the current issue of Restorer magazine about the XP-987 experimental prototype regarding who did paint/body work during its restoration).

Pete offered to source the Sebring Silver paint, but getting it back to the States was the owner's responsibility. Since paint has a 'Haz Mat' material classification, you can NOT transport it via air carrier. That issue compounds as you also need the correct/matching thinner for the paint as our re-formulated lacquer thinners don't mix well with these classic lacquer blends. And, as Pete Darwell pointed out, anyone with experience shooting US based re-formulated lacquer is going to find he needs a different setup for his spray gun to work with a classic original lacquer blend.

The transport problem can be solved by properly declaring the paint and thinner and shipping it exclusively by surface carrier(s). BUT, don't expect to see it make a FAST transit! Allow a lead time of approximately 3-4 months for the journey.

Now, Pete's in the business of performing paint and body work and not in the business of distributing paint! So, he'd be doing an NCRS member a favor by playing middle-man and consulting on paint source(s) as well as gathering up the paint for export from England...

[Chuck S.]

Re: obtaining correct 1969 cortez silver code 986

Did you try autocolorlibrary.com?...Maybe they will ship to Canada if there are no hazardous material rules in either country to prevent shipment.

The best approach with them will be to figure out your total job bill of material, and purchase all of it at once. I would figure two gallons of mixed color, two gallons primer, enough reducer for all of it, etc. Two gallons each will be more than you need, but it will cost the same as the exact amount you require, and you'll have a couple of quarts left over for future indiscretions.

To paraphase John Paul Jones, I suspect you have only begun to hate metallic paint.

[Mike M.]

Re: obtaining correct 1969 cortez silver code 986

Greg Lacquer was available in Canada not to long ago. Unless something has changed in the last year or so you should still be able to get it. A friend painted a car last year and had no problem getting lacquer paint. where are you located. Mike

[Greg L.]

Re: obtaining correct 1969 cortez silver code 986

That's interesting Mike. I'm in Calgary...where did he get it from?

Chuck I didn't try autocolor libray because I was under the impression that all the flakes except for the European ones were to big. I thought that I could just find the source over there and have it shipped out but that might be more trouble than it's worth...who knows...

Does anyone know what kind of a deduct I'll get for having the wrong size flakes in my paint? Maybe I'm just getting too anal and I should just settle for what is available in North America. I would like it to do it right though just as long as it's not going to put me in the loonie bin trying!

[Chuck S.]

Re: obtaining correct 1969 cortez silver code 986

You might investigate the feasibility of your paint mixer adjusting metal flake size...they have some flexibility in metal flake size if other factors (carrier solvent, etc) don't interfere with getting the proper formula. Finding the best match may involve procuring some different formula samples, and shooting some test panels...your experience could provide some good material for a Corvette Restorer article with common interest.

[Mike M.]

Re: obtaining correct 1969 cortez silver code 986

Greg, I'm in Ontario, Niagara Falls. I'll ask about it and I'll get back to you with any information I find out. Mike

[Mike M.]

Re: obtaining correct 1969 cortez silver code 986

Greg, You are correct. You can't get lacquer paint in Canada any more. I talked to a few people and they said you may still be able to get it in some US states. I was also tols they will be making Base Clear not available in about a year or so. There going to make water base paints mandatory. Mike

[Dick W.]

Re: obtaining correct 1969 cortez silver code 986

I have been told that DuPont still has the correct size flake. You might check with your local DuPont jobber