1966 Trophy Blue

[Jim S.]

After 37 years of ownership we are finally getting our 66 re-painted. They did an excellent job, except it is now the WRONG color. Today they are re-sanding and have supplied me with a one foot square paint panel that does look "right", but WHAT is right??? How can someone help me with this before I give them the go-ahead? IF there is an absolute "right" Trophy Blue I could FedEx a piece of this latest paint complete with the clear coat etc. if someone has a "good eye" and an appropriate item to compare etc. Thank you.

Jim in Central IL

[Timothy B.]

Re: 1966 Trophy Blue

Jim,

There is a fellow here on the D/B that gives the paint classes I think. Can't remember his name but I would not go any further until you get some good info on the correct color shade. It's been mentioned that now a days to get the correct shade requires a little custom tinting and that's when you need to get some experienced help.

I feel for you and the shop that worked so hard paint the car and after all these years of ownership you should stay with it until the shade is correct. Paint is so expensive now which is why it's important to spray the color on a test strip, get involved with the paint store and after you are finished share your experience with other members because it may help someone else.

[Walter F.]

Re: 1966 Trophy Blue

I always thought body shops used a computer to get the perfect match. Other wise how could anyone ever be sure of the correct color. Doesnt GM have certain amounts of tints and measures in order to make the right colors? Arent these measurments written down somewhere whenever a color is made?

[Dick W.]

Re: 1966 Trophy Blue

I always thought body shops used a computer to get the perfect match. Other wise how could anyone ever be sure of the correct color. Doesnt GM have certain amounts of tints and measures in order to make the right colors? Arent these measurments written down somewhere whenever a color is made?

The formulas were furnished to all automotive paint stores. The problem today is that almost? all? of the colors, tints, binders, etc have been discontinued for many years. Modern materials do not use any of the materials used when your car was new. Even the lacquer you get today is not the same, other than being lacquer. The leads, VOC's were health hazards and have been discontinued. Another thing is that clear will alter the shade/tint of the paint. The metalic particles are different in todays paints and will reflect light in a different way.I would suggest that you contact Tom Ames whose name will be found under the Contacts section. He is the NCRS Paint Advisor.

[Steven B.]

Re: 1966 Trophy Blue

Jim,

There is a fellow here on the D/B that gives the paint classes I think. Can't remember his name but I would not go any further until you get some good info on the correct color shade. It's been mentioned that now a days to get the correct shade requires a little custom tinting and that's when you need to get some experienced help.

I feel for you and the shop that worked so hard paint the car and after all these years of ownership you should stay with it until the shade is correct. Paint is so expensive now which is why it's important to spray the color on a test strip, get involved with the paint store and after you are finished share your experience with other members because it may help someone else.

As Dick noted Tom Ames. He is excellent.

[John D.]

Re: 1966 Trophy Blue

Another difficult color is marlboro or milano maroon. If there's four cars at a meet there usually will be 4 differents shades.....

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1966 Trophy Blue

I always thought body shops used a computer to get the perfect match. Other wise how could anyone ever be sure of the correct color. Doesnt GM have certain amounts of tints and measures in order to make the right colors? Arent these measurments written down somewhere whenever a color is made?

The computers only get you close but they are far from a perfect match. The only way to get the correct color is to compare to a known original paint job or paint sample.

Jim, I got your phone message as well from yesterday. You're going to get better info here than what I could provide. However, if you could say where in central IL you live it might help.
You're also probably going to need several different trial paint panels, not just one. You would not believe how much one small change in the formula of the paint can make it look very different.

Patrick

[Jim D.]

Re: 1966 Trophy Blue

Another difficult color is marlboro or milano maroon. If there's four cars at a meet there usually will be 4 differents shades.....

That reminds me of thread were there were 2 maroon cars side by side being judged. Since they were different shades, the judges agreed that they both couldn't be correct so BOTH cars got a deduct.

[George W.]

Re: 1966 Trophy Blue

After 37 years of ownership we are finally getting our 66 re-painted. They did an excellent job, except it is now the WRONG color. Today they are re-sanding and have supplied me with a one foot square paint panel that does look "right", but WHAT is right??? How can someone help me with this before I give them the go-ahead? IF there is an absolute "right" Trophy Blue I could FedEx a piece of this latest paint complete with the clear coat etc. if someone has a "good eye" and an appropriate item to compare etc. Thank you.

Jim in Central IL

Jim,

In IL you might try Gary Bosselman at Roscoe Restorations, Roscoe, IL. Good luck.

George

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1966 Trophy Blue

Jim,

In IL you might try Gary Bosselman at Roscoe Restorations, Roscoe, IL. Good luck.

George

That was my thought as well, but I didn't want to directly tell Jim to change painters.
If it were me, and I wanted the color right, I can't think of anyone else who is better AND located in the same state.

Patrick

[Tom D.]

Re: 1966 Trophy Blue

This matches the area behind the license plate, and other such spots.

[Tony S.]

Re: 1966 Trophy Blue

'66 Trophy Blue is a rare color, but it's not just about the paint COLOR. The appearance of the color depends on the size of your metal flake. Metal flake is a slippery slope for Trophy Blue. You should be very careful to get the correct metal flake before you pick and approve your paint. You will regret your choice if you have your car judged and then get a 42 point deduct on your paint because your metal flake is off.

[Jim S.]

Re: 1966 Trophy Blue

Thank you for the input Patrick. I now have several leads to follow up on. One of the most interesting is a John Ballard in KY. He is a former Dupont paint chemist, been dealing w/ this for 50(?) years. He has offered for me to mail him a painted out strip and he can make suggestions as he has ALL of the paint charts etc. etc. So we'll see.

Jim

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1966 Trophy Blue

Thank you for the input Patrick. I now have several leads to follow up on. One of the most interesting is a John Ballard in KY. He is a former Dupont paint chemist, been dealing w/ this for 50(?) years. He has offered for me to mail him a painted out strip and he can make suggestions as he has ALL of the paint charts etc. etc. So we'll see.

Jim

Yes, he would be a good source for that too. However, you still need a good painter on your end who really knows what needs to be done.
That, I have found, is just as tough as getting the paint code correct.

[Brian K.]

Re: 1966 Trophy Blue

Hi, Jim how the Trophy Blue work out? Did you find a good match? Sincerely Brian