70 Laguna Gray

[Paul O.]

To All Members Help

The other day a member posted he needs help with painting his Laguna Gray 1970 corvette. He contacted me due to the fact I have a large collection of old Paint Standard Plates but do not have Laguna Gray as of yet. A few years back at the Des Moines Regional meet a member showed me he had the plate I do not recall his name. I was hoping some one on the discussion board remembers his name or if he see this thread to help Tom Roberts out.

Here is the link to the original Post

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...70-Laguna-Gray

Thank You to all

[Mike G.]

Re: 70 Laguna Gray

does john ballard have a full set for 1970? i remember someone having them in kissimmee a few years back and i think it was john.

[Tom R.]

Re: 70 Laguna Gray

John Ballard lives about 10 minutes from me and I took my first spray out to him for comparison. Obviously, it was nowhere close. I don't know what the old standards actually are but have been told they were on aluminum plate and about 5"x5". Don't know if that's reality or not but John's were maybe about 2"x3" and seemed to be paper. They seemed extremely small for someone to try and match a color to although large enough to get a comparison. So, maybe the next post will define what the paint standard plates are that Paul started this thread with.

[Paul O.]

Re: 70 Laguna Gray

Tom

Here are some photos of the standards From a discussion about 1970 Bronze and Ontario Orange I have and Mike that was me with the plates in Florida. They are about 3"x 5" in size1970 Corvette Bronze 993 007.jpg1970 Corvette Bronze 993 006.jpg1970 Corvette Bronze 993 008.jpg

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 Laguna Gray

John Ballard lives about 10 minutes from me and I took my first spray out to him for comparison. Obviously, it was nowhere close. I don't know what the old standards actually are but have been told they were on aluminum plate and about 5"x5". Don't know if that's reality or not but John's were maybe about 2"x3" and seemed to be paper. They seemed extremely small for someone to try and match a color to although large enough to get a comparison. So, maybe the next post will define what the paint standard plates are that Paul started this thread with.

The paint standard plates the Paul has are about 5x7 and are metal. I can't say if the metal is aluminum or something else. They have a lot of information on the back such as the paint manufacturer, date, and the words "Do not oil." I have some for GM vehicles other than Corvette. I would caution you that there may be standards of the same color by different paint manufacturers, and the date may also make a difference. John has a lot of confidence in his paper samples, but John has been in the coatings and pigment business for longer than some of you (not me) have been alive. He has an "eye" for matching colors that only comes from years of experience. Some paint shops have employees who also have those skills, and I have met a painter or two who have the same skills. I don't have those kinds of skills so I generally stay away from these kinds of dust ups.

If you live that close to John work with him. You will be far ahead doing that than painting the car and getting dinged for the shade being off. Especially listen to his advice about the size of the metallic flake.

[Tom R.]

Re: 70 Laguna Gray

Terry, I appreciate the advice. John's sample was definitely not what was posted here. And he does have a good eye for comparison and saved me from moving forward and painting already. He has offered to help but other than going to the paint shop 99 times or so by trial and error, I'm hanging on here to see if somebody can step up with an original plate.

[Paul O.]

Re: 70 Laguna Gray

Tom

Terry is correct about John's abilities with paint matching if all else fails he would be your best resource and being as close that he is to you. These standards were used in the day for paint matching at automotive paint stores and at the factories to confirm the mix or batch of paint was within the percentages +- allowed at that time. On your car are there any areas that still have original paint on them say the door jams or under the sill areas were you could get a great paint match for mixing. John always says be careful of the metal flake size and amount that is where it can get real difficult.

[Tom R.]

Re: 70 Laguna Gray

Unfortunately, the only thing I "saved" was the left headlight bucket. Everything else has been removed and is in primer. I can say, and my painter agrees, that the paint on that bucket is definitely lacquer. Whether or not it is original is unknown. I was counting on one of the spray out formulas provided by two other members to match or be close but none have been. So, I remain without a reference. If I can't find anyone with an original standard I'll try and see if someone would receive my bucket and check it against their car. Hopefully, somebody with a car that's been judged. Now would be a great time for that/those members to reveal . . .

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 Laguna Gray

Unfortunately, the only thing I "saved" was the left headlight bucket. Everything else has been removed and is in primer. I can say, and my painter agrees, that the paint on that bucket is definitely lacquer. Whether or not it is original is unknown. I was counting on one of the spray out formulas provided by two other members to match or be close but none have been. So, I remain without a reference. If I can't find anyone with an original standard I'll try and see if someone would receive my bucket and check it against their car. Hopefully, somebody with a car that's been judged. Now would be a great time for that/those members to reveal . . .

I don't know the total number of participants on this board, but the last number I heard was a small fraction of ALL the NCRS membership. Given that the participants on this board represent Corvettes from 1953 to 1996, the number with 1970 Laguna Gray Corvettes might be quite low. Add to that the request for original paint and you may be reaching the needle in a haystack area. Of course keep trying. Someone might know someone. I have been trying to think of a Bowtie Laguna Gray car, and so far I have come up empty. I will be with more NCRS folks this weekend and will raise the question to them, but you might be in the 99 trips to the paint store situation anyway.

BTW: I know of four people (John Ballard and Paul among them. the rest will be nameless) who spent months trying to get a good paint match for Ontario Orange and their quest included someone smuggling lacquer paint into Canada and dozens of spray-out panels in order to reach their goal. And there were/are plenty of original paint Ontario Orange cars around for them to work with, so their quest was not as difficult as yours. That quest is why Paul has photos of Ontario Orange and Corvette Bronze at hand. I tell you this not to discourage you, but to let you know that if you want to do it right there is a cost, and not just a monetary one, but time and effort. The goal is worth the cost, and the journey is the real reward.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 70 Laguna Gray

I have been trying to think of a Bowtie Laguna Gray car, and so far I have come up empty.

Terry Michaelis' 1970 LT-1 convertible (now sold) is the closet "mostly original paint" car that comes to mind.

http://www.proteamcorvette.com/cars/139Z.htm

[Terry M.]

Re: 70 Laguna Gray

Terry Michaelis' 1970 LT-1 convertible (now sold) is the closet "mostly original paint" car that comes to mind.

http://www.proteamcorvette.com/cars/139Z.htm

Gee, and that's my signature on the Judging sheet.

[Paul D.]

Re: 70 Laguna Gray

Did you provide the "saved " headlight bucket to John B. for comparison and what was his opinion? Chip.

[Tom R.]

Re: 70 Laguna Gray

To address several of the previous posts - yes, I am aware of the car at Proteam but it sold before I could get up there to take a look. I may see if Terry M. will assist in contacting the buyer. And I am going to connect with John Ballard today or tomorrow for him to look at my headlight bucket. The more I look at it after being cleaned up and polished, the more hopeful I have become that this may be the path. I will post here after meeting with John.

[Kenneth H.]

Re: 70 Laguna Gray

My '70 is Laguna Gray, but it's a repaint, so I can't help.

Sorry.

[Paul O.]

Re: 70 Laguna Gray

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