1966 - 1972 white paint code 972 - DuPont stock code 5040

[Kenneth K.]

Hello everyone-

I need some help in finding the correct shade of CanAm white paint code 972 for my 69 L-71 automatic roadster that is scheduled for body and paint work in November. My painter gave me 2 spray outs of paint code 972 CanAm White from different paint brands and they are not the same shade of white. One is a very clean bright white and the other is an off-white. The car has been sanded down to the original white and primer so I can’t get a match on the body. There is some white paint on the inside of the door panel which I polished but my painter said that when they sprayed the door they don't apply a lot of paint to it and because of that it not going to give me an accurate match. I asked Bob Demmel about this and he suggested I talked to John Bollard who has original paint samples.

I messaged John and he was kind enough to give me a phone call to discuss my options. Unfortunately all the original paint samples he has he does not have the CanAm white code 972. He suggested I find a small sample of original DuPont with the Stock Code 5040. Use this to make a spray out then match my paint to the spray out. So my first question does anyone have a small sample of original DuPont Stock Code 5040 paint they would sell me or know where to find it?

Another option would be to find an original spray out of the CanAm white code 972. Does anyone have an original white spray out. I could send you my spray outs and you could tell me which one was the best match.

Another option is to find someone that painted their car with the white paint code 972 and has the formula they could share with me. Looking thru the Black Book paint code 972 was offered from 1966 thru 1972. I believe all of these paints were also DuPont Stock Code 5040. If this assumption is correct then a paint sample or formula for any of these years would match my 69 CanAm White. Here are the color names by year that are coded 972;

1966 and 1967 Ermine White
1968 Polar White
1969 CanAm White
1970, 1971 and 1972 Classic White

Please let me know if anyone has an original paint spray out or a small amount of DuPont Stock Code 5040 paint or has the formula that matches the DuPont Stock Code 5040 they could share with me I would be very grateful. Any other options on how to get the correct shade of white would also be appreciated.

Thanks,
Ken

[Jack M.]

Hi Ken- I sent you a Private Message yesterday, including my contact info.
I'm not sure if a 1969 GM Color Standard is what you are looking for...
Itz a metal plate, with the paint color sprayed on the reverse side.

If so, I've also messaged someone that may have one for sale.
Perhaps touch base with John Ballard... is this something that may help:
Dupont WA-3465 (1969 Corvette White).jpg
(uncertain if/how colors are impacted with age and storage)

[Kenneth K.]

Hi Jack-

Thank you for the PM you sent me yesterday. I am going to send the photo of your metal paint standard to John Ballard to see what he thinks. Your paint standard says it is for a white 1969 Corvette but for some reason it not stock number 5040. There was only one white used in 1969 by DuPont so maybe it’s the same as the 5040.

Thanks for your help,
Ken

[Jack M.]

Ken- I've often used this website to cross reference paint codes: CLICK HERE
The Dupont 5040 is mentioned, but I have no clue on the two variations:
1969 Chevrolet Color Codes - Corvette Paint Cross-Reference.jpg

[Kenneth K.]

Jack-

I believe the 5040L is for Lucite and the 5040D is for Delux. I have no idea what the difference is between the two.

From your cross reference it appears the WA3465 is the GM paint stock number. Why a DuPont paint standard has the GM stock number and not the DuPont number is a question for John. Very confusing when you don’t know anything about paint manufacturing which I don’t 😊.

Ken

[Jack M.]

Ken- My paint IQ is lower than my waist size... so I'm not much help.
Is the Lucite a lacquer paint, while the Dulux was enamel?
I see different formulas in an old Acme paint booklet.
(those codes are likely useless today)

[Kenneth K.]

Jack-

Apparently from what John told me both paints are lacquer but the D (Delux) is a more durable paint than the L. The colors are the same. I will call you in a few weeks to see if your friend has a 1969 WA-3465 standard for sale. Thanks for your help.

Ken

[Jack M.]

THANX for the paint code updates, Ken.
BTW- Double check your PM... you now can get in touch with the seller.
Good Luck... keep me posted.

[Chris T.]

Hi Ken,
Attached is the paint chart from the Corvette Parts Catalog showing 5050-L (lacquer) for Can-Am White. Also, Dulux is enamel not lacquer. Hope this helps.
Regards,
Chris

[Kenneth K.]

Hi Chris-

That’s the first information I have seen that lists code 972 (Can-Am White) as Lucite stock number 5050-L for 1969. All other references show it as DuPont 5040 and that is the stock number that John Ballard told me to look for. The other reference I have seen it listed as DuPont 5040 is on the website www.paintref.com. Perhaps Lucite and DuPont are different suppliers thus different stock numbers.

The other difference I noted in the Paint Chart for code 972 is there is no white listed for 1970. And code 972 for years 1967 and 1968 list Lucite stock number 4024 and 4714, respectively. Only 1971 lists code 972 as Lucite stock code 5040.

The paint ref.com site does not give a Lucite stock number but it does give the GM code WA3465 for year 1967-1971. The DuPont stock numbers it gives are 4714 (1967 and 1968) and 5040 (1969, 1970 and 1971). Interesting for 1968 the Lucite stock number 4714 is the same as the DuPont stock number also 4714.

Here is a summary for GM code 972:

Year. Paint Chart. Paintref.com
1967 Lucite 4024 DuPont 4714 and GM WA3465
1968. Lucite 4714 DuPont 4714 and GM WA3465
1969. Lucite 5050 DuPont 5040 and GM WA3465
1970. NA. DuPont 5040 and GM WA3465
1971. Lucite 5040 DuPont 5040 and GM WA3465

The only consistent stock number that appears across multiple sources is the GM WA3465 for years 1967-1971. So if the WA3465 is the same paint for these 5 years why would Lucite and DuPont change their stock numbers… Just gets more confusing. I beginning to lose confidence that GM WA3465 and code 972 is the same white for these 5 years.

[Alan S.]

Hello,
There happens to be a gallon of "972" listed for sale on the Corvette Forum C3 Parts For Sale forum.
Worth a look maybe?
From the labels shown in photos I can't tell just what it might be, or how old it might be

Regards

[Kenneth K.]

Hi Alan-

Thanks for pointing that out. Jack also saw that ad. It is DuPont 5040 which is correct. It was mixed in 1997 which is probably just fine if stored properly.

The owner said he had it mixed for his 1968 Corvette but sold the car. What bothers me is the note on the can that says “Approximate Match to Vehicle. I passed on it because it’s just to expensive to have my car painted and potentially ending up not having a good match.

Ken

[Chris T.]

Hi Ken,
When I was a young lad, I worked at a parts supplier that sold Dupont automotive finishes. Dupont was the sole paint supplier for GM during the St. Louis years, according to John Hinckley. DuPont's trade name for acrylic lacquer was Lucite and the trade name for enamel was Dulux. Hope this helps clear up some confusion.
Regards, Chris

[Leif A.]

Ken,
This showed up on the CF classifieds on July 20th...
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1608967240

[Kenneth K.]

Hi Leif- Yes I saw this. Did you see the note on the can label that’s says it is an approximate match to the vehicle. I need an accurate match.