Where to get Corvette Paint

[Floyd B.]

In my quest for genuine duPont Torch Red paint (GM code 70, stock number B9008) I stumbled across the following web page:

http://www.performancecoatings.dupon...tte_codes.html

This was very encouraging, however, I have not been able to find a retail source for duPont Automotive Paints. A the moment, I only need to paint a single mirror on my '96 so I only need a pint but would gladly purchase a quart if I could only find a source that will sell retail to a hobbyist.

Does anyone know of a source for this paint?

I have found several sources claiming to be color matched acrylic lacquer but none that I can verify are selling the genuine stuff used in Bolling Green (i.e. duPont acyclic lacquer). Of course, I would also need a pint of the clear coat.

BTW, the link on the bottom of this page provides a really nice pdf file listing all of the paint codes and duPont stock numbers for every Corvette color up through 2003 - even pre-63 colors which had no GM paint code. I repeat the link here:

http://www.performancecoatings.dupont.com/dpc/en/us/html/color/daf/doc/corvette.pdf

[Joe L.]

Re: Where to get Corvette Paint

In my quest for genuine duPont Torch Red paint (GM code 70, stock number B9008) I stumbled across the following web page:

http://www.performancecoatings.dupon...tte_codes.html

This was very encouraging, however, I have not been able to find a retail source for duPont Automotive Paints. A the moment, I only need to paint a single mirror on my '96 so I only need a pint but would gladly purchase a quart if I could only find a source that will sell retail to a hobbyist.

Does anyone know of a source for this paint?

I have found several sources claiming to be color matched acrylic lacquer but none that I can verify are selling the genuine stuff used in Bolling Green (i.e. duPont acyclic lacquer). Of course, I would also need a pint of the clear coat.
BTW, the link on the bottom of this page provides a really nice pdf file listing all of the paint codes and duPont stock numbers for every Corvette color up through 2003 - even pre-63 colors which had no GM paint code. I repeat the link here:

http://www.performancecoatings.dupon...c/corvette.pdf

Floyd-----


I don't know where to get the paint. However, it's hard to imagine that there would not be a Du Pont automotive paint dealer in your area. If not Du Pont then one of the other automotive paint manufacturers should have paint of the same color that could be cross-referenced from the Du Pont number. Just find an automotive paint store and they should be able to get you what you seek or be able to tell you where to get it.

In any event, Bowling Green did not use acrylic lacquer to paint a 1996 Corvette. In fact, I don't think that Bowling Green ever painted ANY Corvette with any sort of lacquer paint.

[Floyd B.]

Re: Where to get Corvette Paint

In any event, Bowling Green did not use acrylic lacquer to paint a 1996 Corvette. In fact, I don't think that Bowling Green ever painted ANY Corvette with any sort of lacquer paint.

Interesting. This contradicts the following information taken directly from the duPont website:

"Chevrolet has always used lacquer for the exterior body surfaces of Corvettes. 1957 and older Corvettes were painted with nitrocellulose lacquer, except for Inca Silver models which were acrylic lacquer. All 1958 and newer Corvette models were factory painted with acrylic lacquer."

The context of this page is all Corvettes through 2003.

[Joe L.]

Re: Where to get Corvette Paint

Interesting. This contradicts the following information taken directly from the duPont website:

"Chevrolet has always used lacquer for the exterior body surfaces of Corvettes. 1957 and older Corvettes were painted with nitrocellulose lacquer, except for Inca Silver models which were acrylic lacquer. All 1958 and newer Corvette models were factory painted with acrylic lacquer."

The context of this page is all Corvettes through 2003.

Floyd-----


I think Du Pont has it wrong. They are correct about 1953-57 be painted with nitrocellulose lacquer. 1958-81 were painted with acrylic lacquer as used at St. Louis Corvette assembly.

However, 1981 and later built at Bowling Green are painted with base coat/clear coat technology and no acrylic lacquer was used. The paint formulations and technology have changed radically at Bowling Green over the years but I believe it's still base coat/clear coat and neither the base coat or the clear coat is acrylic lacquer.

I don't think there's any automotive plant in the US that's used acrylic lacquer for MANY years.

[Marc R.]

Re: Where to get Corvette Paint

Bowling Green is also using a tint-coat process that puts tint in the clearcoat--gives the color a richer look. They say that process began in 1984. There's an interesting article in the latest issue of "Corvette Quarterly" about Corvette paint. They say "all colors since 1953 have been reengineered in modern-day technology, so technically we can spray any of these in our plant..."

[Patrick H.]

Re: Where to get Corvette Paint

I do not believe that the tint coat started until the last 9 model years as an extra cost option on some colors. Millennium Yellow in 2000 was the first color that was painted in this fashion if my memory is correct. BC/CC started in 1981 when Bowling Green opened.

Patrick

[Dick W.]

Re: Where to get Corvette Paint

I agree with Joe, lacquer usage was discontinued with the change from St. Louis to Bowling Green.

[Floyd B.]

Re: Where to get Corvette Paint

Thank you gentlemen. I think the sumation of your posts provides a complete explanation. Would anyone know what the base/clear coat technology was for '96? Was it acrylic enamal or urethane or perhaps something else?

[Dick W.]

Re: Where to get Corvette Paint

No matter what the process was in 1996, it is obsolete today. They are using waterborn color coats under the catalized clears. The materials used at the plants has never been available to the retail trade. Even the lacquer that they used was different, the name of which has escaped my feeble brain right now. It reflowed when heated.

[Floyd B.]

Re: Where to get Corvette Paint

No matter what the process was in 1996, it is obsolete today. They are using waterborn color coats under the catalized clears. The materials used at the plants has never been available to the retail trade. Even the lacquer that they used was different, the name of which has escaped my feeble brain right now. It reflowed when heated.

I'm just trying to get as close as I can. If I at least know what type of base-coat/clear-coat they used in '96, there are a number of paint supply houses that use manufacturer paint chips to match the color. But I have to tell them what type of base coat I need - i.e. acrylic enamel, urethane, etc.

Despite the duPont webpage - that Joe has shown to contain incorrect information - claiming they intend to serve the restorer/hobbyist market, it doesn't look like I'm going to get my hands the actual duPont stock code (B9008) paint.

[Jim T.]

Re: Where to get Corvette Paint

Base coat was enamel starting with the 81 Corvettes built at Bowling Green.
Dupont has not made Dupont lacquer for automobile painting for several years in the US available over paint supply counters. If it was available I would buy some from my local Dupont paint store or local body shop.
Some body repair/paint shops have their own in house paint mixing and do not have to go out of the shop to buy mixed paint every job. You might have one locally that will sell you a pint of base and clear.

[Floyd B.]

Re: Where to get Corvette Paint

Base coat was enamel starting with the 81 Corvettes built at Bowling Green.

...but does anyone know what type of enamel they used in '96? Was it a arcrylic, urethane or something else?

Thanx

[Dick W.]

Re: Where to get Corvette Paint

Floyd, it is immaterial as to what was on the car. Good guess might be waterborn color and urethane clear. You can do your repair painting with what is available today and there should be no difference in appearance.