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While looking at the Replacement Paint sheets compiled, by Wayne Martin. I've noticed that the paint colors he matched to were from the fifties through the early seventies. The major manufacturers he matched to were, Acme, Duco, and R-M. I will be doing some research into the subject, but thought I would try to get some answers through this forum.

Do tint colors from the above manufacturers become obsolete, or can a restorer reasonably expect to obtain any "modern color"?

Thanks, Dan Martin.

As manufacturers change paint systems they change the tinting colors. They also take some of the old color matches out of their mixing formulas. :(

Wayne put the lists together in the early 70s. He tried to match the old color chips to modern paint chips. It was the only practical means to accomplish such a onerous task but didn't always produce an exact match. Also since paint chips tend to darken with age if stored in the dark or lighten if in the light and the actual color changed a bit from each paint batch, he was comparing chips that likely were not exact matches to the colors actually applied to the vehicles. I must say that the colors that I checked back then were pretty darn close to original paint from a protected area. :)

Thanks, CC. I don't remember when he stopped updating his comparisions. I did find a note in the files, stating when the phone call was made resigning his position. That was in '96. I am guessing he probably cancelled his
"subscriptions" to new chips about the same time. I've got to check.

I/ We are fortunate he was a meticulous record keeper, (as well as "pack Rat" :love: ) Unfortunately the records are about a 1 hour ride from home. I guess some letter writting will be in order.

I'll buckle my seat belt, Dan.

I concur with ChevyChip, PPG has a great library of the old colors. I painted a 33 Ford BB truck last year, and they had the codes to mix the paint in their base clear system. We checked it with the original paint that was still on some of the inside panels of the truck and it was as near a match as one could get.
I know they also have many of the early chev colors as well.
If you go to a PPG distributor, they can call a 800 number and get the correct formulas. If your local store will not do this for you let me know, as my paint rep will bend over backwards to get the paint we want.

That's great OlChev. I'll keep that in mind. I have a few things rattling around in this pea brain of mine, not the least of which is a re-restoration of my '31. I am discussing with my wife a color change. Currently the color is Bangor Beige.

Thanks, Dan.