VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Body - Sheet Metal, Paint & Wood 52 Paint Color Question

I have a 1952 Styleline Deluxe two door sedan. The top is a very dark blue, almost black and the lower is a lighter blue, but not nearly as light a blue as a fellow member's 54. Sitting by his '54 the lower almost looks gray, but by itself it looks blue. I believe the colors are original. However: the paint number is very hard to decipher. The second and third numbers are "73" with no (or very little) question. The first number was never properly stamped but best guess is 473. I looked in an old mailing from Wayne G. Martin which I got back in the 1970's when I was doing my 37. His listings Which mention Blue and also contain the number 473 are as follows:

Admiral Blue Metallic 472, 473 (U) 494 (L)
Twilight Blue 477, 473 (U) 484 (L)

I am not sure how to decipher this information. Since it is stamped 473 on the data plate, I assume that is the over all paint number, but the 472 and 477 number confuses me. Given that 473 is always followed by (U) I assume that is the top color, which would then make 494 and 484 the lower colors, but which is the correct colors for my car? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

NOTE: All the above information is taken from a "DUPONT" page titled, [1952 - 1953 - 1954 and 1955 Chevrolet Colors] with the words "DULUX" and "DUCO" used throughout.

472 Admiral blue is solid (dark) blue.
473 is dark blue top and light blue bottom.
394 is dark blue top and light gray (Birch) bottom. This was a Bel Air only combination.
477 is light blue only.

The 1953-1954 light Horizon blue often oxide and fade to a lighter grayish color.This usually happens more on the body rather than the hood and front fenders. This is because the body was painted at the Fisher Body plant and front sheet metal pained by Chevrolet and the two paints did not weather in exactly the same manner.
Dupont's Dulux was the enamel mixture and used on the wheels, the Duco was the lacquer and used on the car proper. The lacquer required buffing, which was done at the factory, to a get smooth finish and high shine.

Thanks Gene, that resolved the question, Ron