1963 Radio Side Panels Color

[Gerald C.]

I want to refinish these side panels and paint them with the correct color. Does anyone know the correct dark blue color to use?

Thanks

Jerry

[Ed S.]

Re: 1963 Radio Side Panels Color

Gerald,
If you car still has its trim tag the dark blue interior should be 490A also called Daytona Blue. LIC sells a "vinyl dye" rattle can in Daytona Blue. A number of members have recommended these vinyl dye spray paints for use on interior surfaces. I used it on my '64 - it came out looking great. It is a nice satin finish that dries nice - a very uniform color over the entire piece. Don't be concerned about the fact that it is intended for "vinyl" - it is paint - it dries hard.

[Marco H.]

Re: 1963 Radio Side Panels Color

I believe the original hard trim panels (radio side covers, Coupe rear window - windshield and headliner trim) are painted metallic. The vinyl dye is non-metallic, made for soft trim (seats, visors, dash pads). I would use some exterior base coat -Daytona blue- (applied with activator, to give it some durability), or have some exterior paint mixed in single stage with some flattener mixed in. I don't think, you will find the correct paint in a rattle can.

[Duke W.]

Re: 1963 Radio Side Panels Color

I want to refinish these side panels and paint them with the correct color. Does anyone know the correct dark blue color to use?

Thanks

Jerry

I'm not sure about Daytona Blue, but for red interior cars there are three shades, and paint manufacturers have codes for each. AFAIK the only difference is the gloss level that I will call low, medium, and high, achieved by adding different amounts of flattener to the same basic color mix.

The radio side panels are the low gloss mix as is the garnish molding at the base of the windshield. I suspect other interior colors followed the same pattern - three gloss levels of the same basic color mix blended by adding different amounts of flattener, but I don't think the basic color was the same as the exterior equivalent color.

Guys have old paint code books out there, and in a state where lacquer is still available, you might be able to buy the proper OE mixes or something very close.

Duke

[Ed S.]

Re: 1963 Radio Side Panels Color

I'm not sure about Daytona Blue, but for red interior cars there are three shades, and paint manufacturers have codes for each. AFAIK the only difference is the gloss level that I will call low, medium, and high, achieved by adding different amounts of flattener to the same basic color mix.

The radio side panels are the low gloss mix as is the garnish molding at the base of the windshield. I suspect other interior colors followed the same pattern - three gloss levels of the same basic color mix blended by adding different amounts of flattener, but I don't think the basic color was the same as the exterior equivalent color.

Guys have old paint code books out there, and in a state where lacquer is still available, you might be able to buy the proper OE mixes or something very close.

Duke

All good points Duke. I'm not sure the '63 Daytona Blue is the exact same original formula as the '64 Daytona Blue or that is the color of Gerald's interior - he didn't give a color code from is Trim tag, he just said it was "dark blue". My objective was to point him in the right direction. When I needed to respray my '64 Daytona Blue radio side panels researched this forum and I found numerous posts that recommended LIC's vinyl rattle can Daytona Blue - and a number of persons that recommended it said it passed judging. I used it and it looks good. As you state, it is a satin, low sheen finish. The quality of the paint is pretty good - I think. It covers nicely and if you have to touch up a spot, when it dries it blends in perfectly.

[Marco H.]

Re: 1963 Radio Side Panels Color

I'm not sure about Daytona Blue, but for red interior cars there are three shades, and paint manufacturers have codes for each. AFAIK the only difference is the gloss level that I will call low, medium, and high, achieved by adding different amounts of flattener to the same basic color mix.

The radio side panels are the low gloss mix as is the garnish molding at the base of the windshield. I suspect other interior colors followed the same pattern - three gloss levels of the same basic color mix blended by adding different amounts of flattener, but I don't think the basic color was the same as the exterior equivalent color.

Guys have old paint code books out there, and in a state where lacquer is still available, you might be able to buy the proper OE mixes or something very close.

Duke

The sheen variances applied to all interior colors.
Unfortunately, the old color lacquer-paint codes do most often not translate into any usable non-lacquer finishes, especially for interiors. I still believe that using Daytona blue as a staring point will get you where you need to be. The different codes for the same interior color only reflect the different sheen qualities, as Duke mentioned above.

[Edward J.]

Re: 1963 Radio Side Panels Color

For the convertibles there were only two gloss levels, and coupes where 3 levels of gloss. I have used Corvette America's 63 Red and Dark Blue shades with good results, for the different Gloss levels I used a satin clear and gloss clear.

[Marco H.]

Re: 1963 Radio Side Panels Color

While the non-metallic dye may "pass judging", it is not a factory typical application. Dark blue and saddle interiors have metallic paint on the interior hard trim. Only the soft trim was non-metallic. (Black and red are solid interior colors through out).

One of the most common problem is that many get their education on the Flight-judging show field, where they look at restored cars. Due to the rarity today, of seeing un-restored cars on the field, it is a common trap to fall into. I DID THE EXACT SAME THING. Looking at un-restored cars anywhere you can, is priceless. The Bowtie judging process is the best way to enhance your education on these cars.

My input here is solely to pass along observations I have collected over the years of studying original cars. Most important is, that each is doing to their car, what pleases them! We each have our own reasons, for doing things our own way.

[Don H.]

Re: 1963 Radio Side Panels Color

Marco,
you are exactly right on the very subtle metallic on the hard trim in the mid year cars. I have read several times here from knowledgable members that the interior paint is not metallic. But, it is, as my 65 saddle interior, and 64 dark blue interior can attest. Original cars do in fact tell the tale.
Happy New Year!

[Marco H.]

Re: 1963 Radio Side Panels Color

Happy New Year to you too, Don!! We will see you in Lakeland, hopefully, Marco

[Loren L.]

Re: 1963 Radio Side Panels Color

The codes I have on hand for Dark Blue interior are Ditzler DL-12740 (flat), Rinshed-Mason 63V26 & Dupont 96315. RM & Dupont must be flattened. Dupont is an acrylic lacquer; Ditzler & RM are standard lacquer.