Matching An Existing Unknown Color Paint

[fxfymn]

I am trying to match the red paint on the '52 so I can get the hood re-painted and re-lettered. The truck was re-painted sometime in the last ten years or so and the paint color is unknown. It was painted directly over the factory red.

I have been to the local paint stores where we tried to match it with the chip book and the counter guy even tried scanning the existing color to match it. In each case the actual color that was mixed does not come close to the existing color. The counter guy claims this is caused by asking for enamel when the chips are all set up for the newer paints.

I am not a painter, among the many things I am not, so I have no idea where to go next. Is there any kind of a kit out there that allows you to create your own color?

The existing color is a darker red. Will the primer color effect the final color?

[Mike]

I am trying to match the red paint on the '52 so I can get the hood re-painted and re-lettered. The truck was re-painted sometime in the last ten years or so and the paint color is unknown. It was painted directly over the factory red.

I have been to the local paint stores where we tried to match it with the chip book and the counter guy even tried scanning the existing color to match it. In each case the actual color that was mixed does not come close to the existing color. The counter guy claims this is caused by asking for enamel when the chips are all set up for the newer paints.

I am not a painter, among the many things I am not, so I have no idea where to go next. Is there any kind of a kit out there that allows you to create your own color?

The existing color is a darker red. Will the primer color effect the final color?

You might send a pm to Rob in the members section of this BMT web-site for that question. He can advise on this subject.

mike

[vision386]

Matching existing paint is not as difficult as one might think,if possible,take a small part (that is the color you wish to match) to a reputable local bodyshop,or a paint jobber that deals with dupont products (dupont has one of the largest color catalogs available)..a GOOD painter Should be able to "eyeball" the paint,especially straight enamel. (though it does take an experienced person)It's not a bad idea to make friends with a talented painter/body-man,as sometimes small jobs (touch-up's,painting single parts seperately etc.) can be done on the side for a resonable price. And you must also take into consideration oxidation,age,sun fade,and general condition when matching paint,but believe me it can be done!.......and yes,primer will effect the final color outcome (to some degree) ie: lighter toned primer under light tone colors white,silver etc. darker under black dark blue etc. I hope this is of some help to you........Mark

[fxfymn]

Matching existing paint is not as difficult as one might think,if possible,take a small part (that is the color you wish to match) to a reputable local bodyshop,or a paint jobber that deals with dupont products (dupont has one of the largest color catalogs available)..a GOOD painter Should be able to "eyeball" the paint,especially straight enamel. (though it does take an experienced person)It's not a bad idea to make friends with a talented painter/body-man,as sometimes small jobs (touch-up's,painting single parts seperately etc.) can be done on the side for a resonable price. And you must also take into consideration oxidation,age,sun fade,and general condition when matching paint,but believe me it can be done!.......and yes,primer will effect the final color outcome (to some degree) ie: lighter toned primer under light tone colors white,silver etc. darker under black dark blue etc. I hope this is of some help to you........Mark

Mark,

Thanks for the reply. Yes it was helpful. I already went that route. I took a panel to the local DuPont jobber to try to match it. He was very helpful, but just couldn't get the color quite right. As I said we tried scanning, chips, and at least five or six four ounce samples, all to no avail. That's why I'm casting about for other ideas.

[vision386]

Mark,

Thanks for the reply. Yes it was helpful. I already went that route. I took a panel to the local DuPont jobber to try to match it. He was very helpful, but just couldn't get the color quite right. As I said we tried scanning, chips, and at least five or six four ounce samples, all to no avail. That's why I'm casting about for other ideas.

Oh ok,then my next suggestion would be to seek out a painter with a good "eye" and see if he can match you up,shops that cater to custom cars/hot rods are usually the best at this (in my opinion) as most are painted custom mixed colors,so therefore hard to match,but not immpossible. i would try that and see what you come up with......Mark

[fxfymn]

Thanks again for the help. Went back to the jobber for one more try. My local jobber has really gone out of his way to help me out, but I really don't want to be to big of a PIA to him, so I think this will be the last shot. It seems to be pretty close, so I'm going to try it on the back step area that was pretty beat up when I bought the rig to see how it matches. We'll see how it goes.