New number for Chevy orange

[Tom L.]

As Dick Whittington has told us, the correct Chevy orange engine paint is PPG Omni MAE 60524. I went to the local PPG distributor today to pick up a quart and was told that it has been discontinued.

Maybe some of you auto body guys will know more about this, but this is what I was told: PPG doesn't make Omni brand paint, but rather, they exclusively market and sell it. PPG does this with a few brands to have product lines that meet specific price points. Omni was recently bought out by ShopLine, another brand that is exclusively sold and marketed by PPG. PPG is phasing out Omni product starting on the east coast. My local distributor (in suburban Philadelphia) hasn't been able to get Omni for more than three months, however, he believes it is still available, for a limited time, in the Western U.S.

Long story short, Omni and ShopLine are the same product now. I was told that they are merely putting ShopLine labels over the Omni labels to clear the older stock. The new number for Chevy orange (same exact paint) is ShopLine JAU 60524 (notice the mix # remained the same as the Omni product).

I shot my engine with it tonight and it looks great.

[Chuck S.]

Re: New number for Chevy orange

Good info, Tom.

I'm not sure I like that development, but at my age, life requires a LOT of flexibility. I had just gotten used to the idea that PPG had bought out Ditzler.

I had always thought PPG manufactured Omni. Looking back, that would explain why some of their similar products, e.g. epoxy primer, were completely different in appearance and behavior...they didn't even smell the same.

Omni had a good quality reputation and provided good tech info to the user, just as PPG does. My local PPG store pushed the Omni products before PPG...in this border cantina, selling something a buck cheaper was essential to making a sale.

[Alan S.]

Re: New number for Chevy orange

Hi Tom,
Nice detective work!!!!! Thanks.
Regards,
Alan

[Sheldon S.]

Re: New number for Chevy orange

After Dick had given me the Omini 60524 # My PPg distributor told me that Omini was not available through their place but they had a cross for it. I thought this was just because I lived in Canada and was not available up here. The paint she sold me was PPG Delstar 60524 which I just used last week on my engine and it looks great. Now I am about to use there epoxy black primer for the frame, hope it looks as good.
Sheldon

[Chuck S.]

Re: New number for Chevy orange

...Now I am about to use there epoxy black primer for the frame, hope it looks as good...

It'll look soooo good, you'll just want to lay down on your garage floor and watch it sleep.

Better make a plan for your topcoat before you start...DP90LF has to be topcoated within a week for the cross-linking chemical bond. If you wait longer than a week to topcoat, you'll have to scuff it, clean it, and recoat the DP90LF, or topcoat, in which case you'll only have a mechanical bond. I prefer to topcoat it within 24 hours like the old DP90. Note that DP90LF is a NON-SANDING primer, which means it can't be sanded as a primer-surfacer.

[Sheldon S.]

Re: New number for Chevy orange

I was planning on using the Eastwood Extreme Chasiss Black. I have read several posts where peole have used it and looks good. I contacted Eastwood and they said there would be no problem applying it over the PPG Epoxy. Any suggestions ??
Sheldon

[Chuck S.]

Re: New number for Chevy orange

Approaches to restoration paint vary from using home store spray cans to professional products that give you professional results, and you have to decide which is appropriate for you. Products from vendors catering to hobby restoration fall somewhere in the middle...my opinion is some their products are good, but generally, they are stand alone items from different suppliers. There generally isn't a system of supporting products that you can use with confidence, or technical service if you have problems.

For example, they say there is no problem applying their chassis black over PPG epoxy primer...I think what they mean is "If you have a spraygun, you can apply our chassis black over epoxy primer...(and it won't curdle up the primer, or slide off onto the floor)", or..."It'll last long enough (that we can say 'it's not our paint, must be the primer')". Will DP90LF cross link to their "chassis black" molecules?

If you're going to use PPG DP90LF as a primer, I would use PPG DAR/Delstar acrylic enamel as the topcoat. This is a professional system that provides professional results. You will need to study their product sheets to learn how to use it, and you may find it to be more expensive. With the extra cost, you gain the flexibility to produce an exact match to a gloss level (you'll have to shoot some test panels) rather than accepting a vendor's idea of "chassis black".

With the Delstar, you will need DX85 (universal flattening agent), and a compatible enamel reducer. I haven't used Delstar in awhile but I think it may also require a catalyst. Always wear proper breathing equipment when spraying catalyzed materials...a fresh breathing air system is preferred.