69 976 lemans Blue Paint spec

[Mark B.]

Good morning gents,

I wanted to see if anyone has the proper paint spec for the 976 lemans Blue for my 69. If so please let me know paint mfg. I am going to be painting it soon and will be going base/clearcoat.

Thanks

[Donald H.]

Re: 69 976 lemans Blue Paint spec

See the attached. Be careful with using the GM code 976 only. If you note on the attached, 976 was Nassau blue for 65/66, 976 was Marina blue for 67, and 976 was LeMans blue for 68 and 69.

If you look at the paint codes, 65/66 976 Nassau blue was the same, however 976 Marina blue for 67 was different paint codes and even 976 LeMans blue for 68 was different than 976 LeMans blue for 69.

I heard a story of a guy who's 66 was Trim Tag 976 and painted when he got it. He had it repainted some time later. The painter, a friend of mine, identified and used correct 976 for 66 Nassau blue. The owner didn't like it. Turns out his car was really 69 976 LeMans blue when he bought it and he didn't know the difference.

Don

[Mark B.]

Re: 69 976 lemans Blue Paint spec

Don, thanks for the info, with all these slight variations in paint from year to year. Does anyone have the proper color metric make up by weight or oz that make up the proper 69 lemans Blue

[Paul O.]

Re: 69 976 lemans Blue Paint spec

972	Can-Am White	W041	8631	4714	1802	2517	3627	GMA70:10	-
900	Tuxedo Black	K090	9300	99	946	-	3069	-	-
976	LeMans Blue Metallic	L1679	2083	5030	-	-	-	-	-
980	Riverside Gold Metallic	B797	2092	5029	-	-	3946	GMA69:980	3950
983	Fathom Green Metallic	G1230	2079	5013	-	-	3915	GMA69:57	3886
984	Daytona Yellow	Y476	2094	5026	2119	-	3916	-	3893
974	Monza Red	R502	2089	5027	2120R	-	3944	GMA69:974	3894
986	Cortez Silver Metallic	S010	2059	5032	2108	-	3928	GMA69:14	3927
988	Burgundy Metallic	R850	50700	5063	-	-	3529	GMA69:67	-
990	Monoco Orange	A192	2084	5021	2111R	-	3920	GMA69:72	3959
44	Olympic Gold Metallic	Y694	2082	5010	-	-	3918	-	3922

[Mark B.]

Re: 69 976 lemans Blue Paint spec

Are these accurate colors for the 976 or is one better then the other. I hear that Hue is different shades with base/clearcoat. Also i hear the metallics are different size from the original. is that correct

[Patrick H.]

Re: 69 976 lemans Blue Paint spec

Your best bet is to have your painter make some color spray outs with your preferred brand. Contact John Ballard, then send him the samples. He will give you guidance on what direction to tint the paint and get the right color. You might even contact John before you do the spray outs just to get guidance on clear coat types and brands.

This is far easier in the long run than guessing over the internet, or finding out your $10000 paint job is the incorrect shade.

[Paul O.]

Re: 69 976 lemans Blue Paint spec

Mark

As Patrick stated use John for your best results.

[Dick W.]

Re: 69 976 lemans Blue Paint spec

The chart that Paul posted was valid for the era of manufacture but all those codes are obsolete today. The paint jobbers will tell you that they have direct offset colors but if you believe that, I have some ocean front property in AZ to sell you. Spray out panels will be your best bet. Unless someone has come up with a newer metallic flake, you will have problems getting a 100% match.

[Mark B.]

Re: 69 976 lemans Blue Paint spec

New to the forum, how do you get info on John ballard to email or talk to?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 69 976 lemans Blue Paint spec

New to the forum, how do you get info on John ballard to email or talk to?

Region IV:

https://www.ncrs.org/contact/index.php

[Joseph S.]

Re: 69 976 lemans Blue Paint spec

Mark, You will not get a 100% match just by taking the paint manufacturers reference code and mixing modern BC/CC. Your painter will need to tint and reformulate the color to match an original sample. Sometimes due to the metallic and side tone movement in the color it's best to start with a completely different color than what they have as a comp color. Be prepared for an event if you want to get it 100%. We have gone through up to 56 sprayout samples to get colors 100%.

[Ralph S.]

Re: 69 976 lemans Blue Paint spec

Still liquid after 47 years

[Dick W.]

Re: 69 976 lemans Blue Paint spec

Ballard is suffering the after effects of the flu. He is way less than 100%. I talked to him yesterday afternoon

[Frank T.]

Re: 69 976 lemans Blue Paint spec

I have a good formula ,it's DuPont ,John helped us tweek it ,it judged very well 0 deduction on paint I will gladly help with formula call me Monday
at work 321 633 3227 (harbor auto restoration )

[Mark B.]

Re: 69 976 lemans Blue Paint spec

I have a good formula ,it's DuPont ,John helped us tweek it ,it judged very well 0 deduction on paint I will gladly help with formula call me Monday
at work 321 633 3227 (harbor auto restoration )

Thanks I will