Paint recomendations

[John A.]

I'm new to this and need your help! I have a 61 that's Roman Red. I plan to have it painted and I'm currently getting a quote. The painter has asked if I have a particular brand or type of paint, primer and sealer that I want to use. He says he needs this before he can give me an estimate. I would like to use a high quality paint. Can someone help me with this?

[Dick W.]

Re: Paint recomendations

Most painters have a brand that they feel comfortable with and had rather use. I think instead of telling him what brand, ask him to tell you what he uses and would recommend. That way if there is a problem, he cannot come back and blame you for your choice of paint

You will get answers stating that DuPont, PPG, Sikkens, BASF, House of Color, etc is the best. They all have good products if applied correctly

[Peter V.]

Re: Paint recomendations

Dick's words are right on. This is going to be considerable investment on your part.
Equally important is the "shade" of Roman Red. Make sure you have some verified source for the final color selection, as we see many "off color" shades of red and maroon on these cars. There are original DuPont GM paint sheets (I have one) that have sample swatches of the original colors available for '61.
Happy to lend it to you if you think that will help the painter.

[Dick W.]

Re: Paint recomendations

Dick's words are right on. This is going to be considerable investment on your part.
Equally important is the "shade" of Roman Red. Make sure you have some verified source for the final color selection, as we see many "off color" shades of red and maroon on these cars. There are original DuPont GM paint sheets (I have one) that have sample swatches of the original colors available for '61.
Happy to lend it to you if you think that will help the painter.

Peter, those swatches are too small to for the paint supplier to scan. Plus some of those paint sheets are ink rather than paint, making color matching even harder

[Peter V.]

Re: Paint recomendations

Dick,

What's the best way for John to ensure that his new "Roman Red" is correct? I've seen many attempts that are too orange or too dark.

[Dan M.]

Re: Paint recomendations

Peter asks a great question that I have struggled with as well. How do you determine what is the correct shade and what is not correct?

My car is Corvette Bronze and it suffers from different shades depending on both paint manufacturer as well as primer color used under the paint form what I can tell and see.

Is there a simple way to know or check on just what is correct?

[Chuck S.]

Re: Paint recomendations

If it's original paint, then scan a protected area like an inner door jamb surface. If the car has been repainted, then it's a scavenger hunt to find good solid overspray that it's in an area the average painter is not going to attempt to cover...e.g. just inside the door threshold on the floorboards where it is covered by carpet. C1s may have other hiding spots not usually covered in a repaint.

I'm with Dick on the painter asking what brand of paint to use...that's unusual. When you pick a painter, you have usually picked the paint brand.

[Michael D.]

Re: Paint recomendations

...ask him...what he uses and would recommend....

I agree. You are paying for his expertise. You and he could try here http://www.corvettepaintcodes.com/ He may be able to come up with a color match using the old, original color codes.

[John A.]

Re: Paint recomendations

Thanks guys for the great advice...very helpful!

[Bill L.]

Re: Paint recomendations

Unfortunately sometimes it is trial by error. It ends up costing quite a bit especially for red.

HOw many times even on a new car do you see red from repairs that is off a shade or so?

Bill