Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[petermeachem]

There doesn't seem to be a decent way to get a modern paint code that is a reasonable match for an old car colour. I want to paint my car maroon and read somewhere that a good match for an Austin is Ford Dark Maroon. That is as close to scientific that I have got. I suppose all I can do is to buy a spray can and see if I like it.
My goal for this summer is to paint the car, looks like we will have good weather

[kevin2306]

If you are doing the car all over then you would get a decent match from a good supplier, problem ive found is when you are just doing a few panels.. The paint on mine was origionally a lead based formula which is now unobtainable, the paint i went with whilst not far off isnt exact. But the way i see it is she is now 49 y/o so she can be forgiven

Kev

[aps]

you can go to your local re spray shop and they will probably have a digital gauge thats held against your car. it will tell the computer what paint code you need ,they may charge you a small fee for this unless they are getting the sprey job , wayne aps

[colwyn500]

Peter, when I was in that position with my Austin I just took the standard paint code charts and chose the best match. I can always get the same again.
http://www.e-paint.co.uk/BS381%20Colourchart.asp

[petermeachem]

I'll go round to a paint shop and look at their colour charts, probably better than looking on a screen. Thanks

[colwyn500]

[petermeachem]

Oh yes, certainly cellulose. I don't think you get a very good idea of a colour on screen, I'll see if I can see a complete car in a good colour. Wander round Bognor car parks maybe.

[Old Wrench]

I am hoping I still have tucked away a full set of Valentine Varnish and Lacquer Co Ltd's paint swatches (Chips in the USA).

(They may well be ICI Belco: cover all European cars 1950s and 1960/70s).

In process of - trying! - to sort out loads of stuff.

Meanwhile, perhaps this might assist?

http://www.mgexp.com/article/bmc-paint.html

The best swatches enjoyed the mixing formulas on reverse: in which case any competent paint supplier should be able to mix an exact match. It is done, very accurately, by weight, as I'm sure you already know.

[petermeachem]

Possibly a bit modern. The maroon looks very dark. There are some good articles on that site, thanks.
Car has taken a back seat to getting the house sorted, hate plastering

[colwyn500]

[D4B]

[petermeachem]

[colwyn500]

[Old Wrench]

[petermeachem]

It's a 1934 Austin Ruby. It had a lot of surface rust so I stripped it back to bare metal and epoxy primered it. Then moved house.