1954 Red Paint Info.

[Thomas B.]

I am preparing to paint my recently restored early 1954 corvette red and cannot find the paint nos. for the correct colors of exterior as well as the interior, Any help will be appreciated

[Willard M.]

Re: 1954 Red Paint Info.

I have a red 54 so will be looking forward to what you find out.

[Bruce B.]

Re: 1954 Red Paint Info.

The Sportsman Red used in 1954 does not seem to have a paint code associated with the name. Starting in 1955 there are paint numbers.

Unfortunately most of the paint formula or numbers for early cars (probably into the 1970s) are not of any value since none of the resins and pigments are available any more.

I have used "color map books" to choose colors and it seems to work out very well. Talk to your local body shop as they can be very helpful.

[Thomas B.]

Re: 1954 Red Paint Info.

Thanks I have some origonal samples that I am going to try to have color matched

[Gary B.]

Re: 1954 Red Paint Info.

NCRS Restorer Volume Three, Number Three Winter 1977. Sam Folz printed a letter from PPG showing the PPG paint Formula numbers for 1953 to 1957. It shows a 1953 Target Red PPG # 70418, Offset to PPG #70966. PPG would have shown it a 53 paint because that is when the formula was developed. The 70966 is still a good number and I just had a pint of lacquer mixed a couple months ago. PPG has offset the 70966 to a single stage ureathane Deltron #70094 currently. I have sprayed cards of both 70966 and the Deltron 70094 and they are nearly identical in color, especially outside. I just don't have an original example or piece to compare these to.
Hope this helps.
Gary

[Joe M.]

Re: 1954 Red Paint Info.

I just received 8 cans of the red interior paint from Corvette Central. It doesnt match what is on the car (car is not original paint though). Does anybody know if CC paint part 131075-01 is correct? It looks more 'orange' to me. Any help is much appreciated.

[Gary B.]

Re: 1954 Red Paint Info.

The color is not orangy (is that a word?).

I was able to borrow a color sample that I am 100% sure is right. Dupont tells me the formula 57586A is a "faithful" match to the original color. When I sprayed that color on a test card, compared it to the "original" sample, the new formula had a little more violet to it. But it is a fairly close match. It is a darker, deep red, not orange.

I had both the original sample and the 57586A i sprayed scanned by both PPG and Sikkens. Both paint companies was able to pick up the violet in the 57586A formula.

PPG formula for the original sample was:
DMC911 Bright Red 68.7 Cum.(part)
DMC987 Orange LF 124.5
DMC 903 Weak Black 131.7
DMC900 Str White 136.1

PPG formula for the 57586A test card:
DMC987 Orange LF 72.5
DMC911 Brite Red 110.3
DMC931 Violet 120.4
DMC903 Weak Black 129.5
DMC900 Str White 138.6

When I had these mixed and sprayed test cards, they very closely matched the both the original color sample and the 57586A test card I sprayed. Really, really close.

If you had PPG mix either for you, sprayed a sample, I think you will have a reference of what the original color is. Lot of work to go through, but worth it in the end.

I am going to paint this car with the upper formula. It very closey matches the original color sample I borrowed.

Gary

[Troy P.]

Re: 1954 Red Paint Info.

Unless you are repainting an original red car, which I gather you are not, what difference does it make what color red you paint it as it will never be properly restored anyway?

[Gary B.]

Re: 1954 Red Paint Info.

Ah, but it is...
Gary

[Peter K.]

Re: 1954 Red Paint Info.

I am preparing to paint my recently restored early 1954 corvette red and cannot find the paint nos. for the correct colors of exterior as well as the interior, Any help will be appreciated

What number is your car?? I have #47 it is a documented original Red car.

[Loren L.]

Re: 1954 Red Paint Info.

A February 5, 1954 letter to Regional Refinish MGRS, Refinish Branch MGRS & Refinish Salesmen calls out DUCO Stock # as "1905-H" and also shows a "DUCO Code" (?) of "246-57586-H" for Sportsman Red.

A Dupont "Advance Autombile Color Information" Advance Bulletin No. 15-A dated February 17, 1954 CONFIRMS the above information and adds a "Comb. No." of "569". This Comb No is apparently a "shorthand" way of calling out the interior combination colors of "Sportsman Red" and "Polo White" for the Sportsman Red exterior.

[Joe M.]

Re: 1954 Red Paint Info.

Gary, thanks for the information. I'll take it to the local refinisher supply and see what they can mix up for me. Corvette Central has photos of my tank cover painted in their so called match and they are following up. It doesnt appear to be a a match to Sportsman Red.

[John S.]

Re: 1954 Red Paint Info.

why is this color so hard to get correct? it is used on every 53, 54 and the majority of 55s. i would think the ncrs would have correct chips for judging. sportsman red and polo white should be two colors that the ncrs should list in it's judging guide with modern paint conversion numbers.

[Dick W.]

Re: 1954 Red Paint Info.

why is this color so hard to get correct? it is used on every 53, 54 and the majority of 55s. i would think the ncrs would have correct chips for judging. sportsman red and polo white should be two colors that the ncrs should list in it's judging guide with modern paint conversion numbers.

Not quite that simple. DuPont, PPG, etc have offset colors, BUT, most of the time they will require some tinting.

[Eric F.]

Re: 1954 Red Paint Info.

[QUOTE= PPG formula for the original sample wasMC911 Bright Red 68.7 Cum.(part)DMC987 Orange LF 124.5 DMC 903 Weak Black 131.7DMC900 Str White 136.1 PPG formula for the 57586A test cardMC987 Orange LF 72.5DMC911 Brite Red 110.3DMC931 Violet 120.4DMC903 Weak Black 129.5DMC900 Str White 138.6 [/QUOTE]


Just for information: The DMC prefix indicates this formula is for the PPG "Concept" series single stage paint. It is not the same formula for lacquer. Eric