Standardized Paint Codes
 

Maybe I'm missing something here but I keep seeing posts seeking a paint code for a certain original color whether for spray or powder coating. Do the Judging Standards give the codes? If not should they? Seems like this would be available without a need for interpretation. What am I m?

Re: Standardized Paint Codes
 

Stretch,

Were it so easy.....

Every different paint ie. lacquer, enamel, & urethane, a different code.

Every different paint manufacturer, difference codes for the same color.

Every time tints are out lawed by the EPA, colors must be reformulated, and yup, new color codes.

Having fun yet ??

Re: Standardized Paint Codes
 

Tinting changes over time.

Back in the 30's the tints were not as pure as are available today. So the colors would have a 'muddy' look to them.
As technology progressed the tint composition changed (likely very little to do with the EPA!!!). So they could produce more and more vibrant colors.

You also had paints progress from essentially melting a 'plastic' in a solvent to a complex chemical process that yield a durable finish.

The problem is getting the 'conversion' from old colors using the old tints to the modern tints. The process does not work so well. For a while the tint matching only matched to a nearest production color. I believe today they can accurately match colors directly to a chip.

Please to not make out the EPA as some evil agency. While it may appear that they are trying to ruin everything, often they are trying to fix some really bad wrongs. Just remember before the EPA we had problems with harbors and bay catching on fire and not having any living fish and certainly not something you could eat.

The reality is colors are changing because technology changes. The new paints are more colorful and more durable than what you had 20 years ago.

Re: Standardized Paint Codes
 

Kevin,

Here is a new idea for you. Maybe the original colors of eighty years ago were 'muddy' for a reason ???

How about you are Ford with how many cars to paint in a day, you needed every color to cover the red oxide primer with the same number of coats.
I have the lacquer formulas for every Model A color made by Ditzler (now PPG) from the sixties and what is common to all is the used of black & white to achieve coverage.

Please keep the EPA at your house....

Re: Standardized Paint Codes
 

I guess what I'm thinking is that back when lacquer was the paint to use we did have the Ditzler codes as a standard. Is it impossible to get a standard again?

Re: Standardized Paint Codes
 

Stretch,

Good luck....belly buttons & opinions, everyone has one.

Re: Standardized Paint Codes
 

Seems if you will get points deducted for the wrong paint, then the Judging Standards should provide accurate information on all colors and variety of paint to be used. They specify most ever bolt and nut, surely paint is more visible than a lug bolt on a spare tire? Where is the consistency?

Re: Standardized Paint Codes
 

See #2 above.

Re: Standardized Paint Codes
 

Davey,

As with the mechanical aspects of a Model A, paint can be considered to be within tolerance or in the paint world, 'variants'. At a show look at all the Washington Blue roadsters, most not being the same to each other, but still accepted as Washington Blue. No point deduction for of the 'variants' in color.

If you present documentation to the Judging Committee that Grand Pappy ordered his roadster in 'Sky Blue Pink' from Ford, they will probably give you a 'variance' on the color.

Re: Standardized Paint Codes
 

Model A`s are spread all over the world and unfortunately with different colour codes in each country