The Ford Barn

Coupe35 · 03-30-2011, 04:24 PM

My 35 has been repainted and I'm trying to match the color. The color on it is real dark blue, almost looks black. In fact, it looks black till you get it in the sunlight and you can see a blue tint to it. My guess is it is either washington blue or dearborn blue or? For the ones of you that have a car painted one of the two blues, could you tell me just how dark your paint is. I've taken it to 3 different body supply shops and they shot it with the instrument that gives you a color formula but none of them have even come close. I plan on sending off and getting a sample of the two blues. But if you guys tell me that one or the other blue looks really blue then I may pass on that sample. thanks

ken ct · 03-30-2011, 05:18 PM

My Wash Blue is pretty dark.i think dearborn blue is a little lighter. Also have seen 20 diff shades of WB some even on the purple side. ken ct.

Bob NH · 03-30-2011, 06:03 PM

Hi, Dearborn Blue is like you say, very, very dark and does appear Black inside a building. Washington Blue is much lighter. Not sure how many cars had the darker color but Washington was a common color and my 1935 pickup was Dearborn. I had the color code for Ditzler but have misplaced it somewhere. Otherwise I would be happy to share wth you, Bob

DirtyDan · 03-30-2011, 06:09 PM

My 36 is "supposed" to be Washington Blue... but I have seen several variants as well.

This 32 is Dearborn Blue, which almost looks black, unless it is in the sun.

ken ct · 03-30-2011, 06:38 PM

Sorry i got it backwards. mine is a little darker than the 36 but a little lighter than the 32. Ive yet to see a correct shade of it. ken ct.

FL&WVMIKE · 03-30-2011, 08:13 PM

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Coupe35 ..................
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MIKE
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JM 35 Sedan · 03-30-2011, 08:53 PM

I have a dearborn blue '35 Tudor slant back sedan. Like others have said, when this car is in the garage it almost looks black. Outside in the sunlight you see it's a very dark blue. Washington blue used in '36 is a much lighter blue. Personally, I love the dearborn blue color and would not hesitate to use that color again on any of my '35's.

Here are some pics of my dearborn blue '35

larry/Texas · 03-30-2011, 08:56 PM

"The Early Ford V8 as Henry Built it", A production facts book 1932-38, by Edward P. Francis & George DeAngelis page 129 does not list a blue for the '35 standard. It lists both Dearborn and Duncan Blue. The Duncan was for cars for export but was available for US production on special order. Duncan was a standard color in '33.

Washington Blue Med. was used '32. In '36 standard, Washington Blue (does not say Med.) but does say origionally for export but became US production color in Feb. 1936. it was available for the '36 delux and pickups. It was also available on the '37 & 38 Delux cars.

Hope that this info is helpful. The Duncan Blue is a dark color.

Coupe35 · 03-30-2011, 09:12 PM

Looking at the 32 I got excited because that's how my paint looks. But than I scrolled down and saw WNMIKE original dearborn blue and that is for sure blue and not that dark. Like you guys said, any given day a mixed paint will look different. I guess I will se if the fellow can send me a sample of dearborn blue and see what it looks like.

Kube · 03-30-2011, 09:25 PM

Bottom line is you'll never get a good match by 'mail order'. You need to find a paint shop with a guy that actually has a little talent. That is, more talent than simply relying on what the fancy little 'puter tells him.
I might suggest you go to the very best paint / body shop you can find and ask them who they recommend in your area.

Coupe35 · 03-30-2011, 10:25 PM

Like I said, I've been to the only 3 shops in my area and I do not know if talent is involved. They put that gun looking gismo against a good clean flat surface of the car, pull the trigger and than hook the gun up to a computer and wiz, out comes the formula. I just do not think they work. How can a small instrument held against the car come up with all the different shades of paint require to make up the color.

Django · 03-31-2011, 10:22 AM

There are definitely 20 shades of "Washington Blue" at any given car show!

I think I'm going to order some '39 Jefferson Blue today for my '36 cabriolet.

Kube · 03-31-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coupe35

Like I said, I've been to the only 3 shops in my area and I do not know if talent is involved. They put that gun looking gismo against a good clean flat surface of the car, pull the trigger and than hook the gun up to a computer and wiz, out comes the formula. I just do not think they work. How can a small instrument held against the car come up with all the different shades of paint require to make up the color.

That 'gun looking gizmo' works well but has its limitations as you realize. You need a guy that can take the formula the 'gun' allows and tint it to match your car.

fordscript · 03-31-2011, 03:59 PM

I have always got my original color samples off of old 36 and later hubcaps. When you pop off the stainless, usually underneath, there is an excellent sample of an original, unfaded/contaminated, paint color. Also the finish quality is evident. Amazing how much orange peel. Also interesting to see how little shine there is on the black ones. The cars were advertised as 'medium lustre black'. Another good place to get a good sample is on the underneath back side of the cowl vent. I have owned a couple of dearborn blue 35's, and they were dark, but not as dark as the original dark blue on my friends 34 3-window. I think it might have been the Duncan blue.

Hotrodladycrusr · 04-06-2011, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyDan

My 36 is "supposed" to be Washington Blue... but I have seen several variants as well.

Your '36 is stunning, absolutley stunning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coupe35

Like I said, I've been to the only 3 shops in my area.

Where is "my area"?
If folks knew they might be able to suggest a top notch paint guy near you.

03-30-2011, 04:24 PM	#1
Coupe35 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 226	Washington Blue or Dearborn Blue My 35 has been repainted and I'm trying to match the color. The color on it is real dark blue, almost looks black. In fact, it looks black till you get it in the sunlight and you can see a blue tint to it. My guess is it is either washington blue or dearborn blue or? For the ones of you that have a car painted one of the two blues, could you tell me just how dark your paint is. I've taken it to 3 different body supply shops and they shot it with the instrument that gives you a color formula but none of them have even come close. I plan on sending off and getting a sample of the two blues. But if you guys tell me that one or the other blue looks really blue then I may pass on that sample. thanks

03-30-2011, 05:18 PM	#2
ken ct BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: stratford,ct Posts: 5,971	Re: Washington Blue or Dearborn Blue My Wash Blue is pretty dark.i think dearborn blue is a little lighter. Also have seen 20 diff shades of WB some even on the purple side. ken ct.

03-30-2011, 06:03 PM	#3
Bob NH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Meredith, N.H. Posts: 816	Re: Washington Blue or Dearborn Blue Hi, Dearborn Blue is like you say, very, very dark and does appear Black inside a building. Washington Blue is much lighter. Not sure how many cars had the darker color but Washington was a common color and my 1935 pickup was Dearborn. I had the color code for Ditzler but have misplaced it somewhere. Otherwise I would be happy to share wth you, Bob

03-30-2011, 06:09 PM	#4
DirtyDan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 152	Re: Washington Blue or Dearborn Blue My 36 is "supposed" to be Washington Blue... but I have seen several variants as well. This 32 is Dearborn Blue, which almost looks black, unless it is in the sun.

03-30-2011, 06:38 PM	#5
ken ct BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: stratford,ct Posts: 5,971	Re: Washington Blue or Dearborn Blue Sorry i got it backwards. mine is a little darker than the 36 but a little lighter than the 32. Ive yet to see a correct shade of it. ken ct.

03-30-2011, 08:56 PM	#8
larry/Texas Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Houston, TX area Posts: 150	Re: Washington Blue or Dearborn Blue "The Early Ford V8 as Henry Built it", A production facts book 1932-38, by Edward P. Francis & George DeAngelis page 129 does not list a blue for the '35 standard. It lists both Dearborn and Duncan Blue. The Duncan was for cars for export but was available for US production on special order. Duncan was a standard color in '33. Washington Blue Med. was used '32. In '36 standard, Washington Blue (does not say Med.) but does say origionally for export but became US production color in Feb. 1936. it was available for the '36 delux and pickups. It was also available on the '37 & 38 Delux cars. Hope that this info is helpful. The Duncan Blue is a dark color.

03-30-2011, 09:12 PM	#9
Coupe35 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 226	Re: Washington Blue or Dearborn Blue Looking at the 32 I got excited because that's how my paint looks. But than I scrolled down and saw WNMIKE original dearborn blue and that is for sure blue and not that dark. Like you guys said, any given day a mixed paint will look different. I guess I will se if the fellow can send me a sample of dearborn blue and see what it looks like.

03-30-2011, 09:25 PM	#10
Kube Super Moderator Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 10,539	Re: Washington Blue or Dearborn Blue Bottom line is you'll never get a good match by 'mail order'. You need to find a paint shop with a guy that actually has a little talent. That is, more talent than simply relying on what the fancy little 'puter tells him. I might suggest you go to the very best paint / body shop you can find and ask them who they recommend in your area.

03-30-2011, 10:25 PM	#11
Coupe35 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 226	Re: Washington Blue or Dearborn Blue Like I said, I've been to the only 3 shops in my area and I do not know if talent is involved. They put that gun looking gismo against a good clean flat surface of the car, pull the trigger and than hook the gun up to a computer and wiz, out comes the formula. I just do not think they work. How can a small instrument held against the car come up with all the different shades of paint require to make up the color.

03-31-2011, 10:22 AM	#12
Django Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Forest Park, IL Posts: 590	Re: Washington Blue or Dearborn Blue There are definitely 20 shades of "Washington Blue" at any given car show! I think I'm going to order some '39 Jefferson Blue today for my '36 cabriolet. __________________ Obsessed with all things 1936 Ford since birth... thanks Dad.

03-31-2011, 03:59 PM	#14
fordscript Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oamaru, New Zealand Posts: 432	Re: Washington Blue or Dearborn Blue I have always got my original color samples off of old 36 and later hubcaps. When you pop off the stainless, usually underneath, there is an excellent sample of an original, unfaded/contaminated, paint color. Also the finish quality is evident. Amazing how much orange peel. Also interesting to see how little shine there is on the black ones. The cars were advertised as 'medium lustre black'. Another good place to get a good sample is on the underneath back side of the cowl vent. I have owned a couple of dearborn blue 35's, and they were dark, but not as dark as the original dark blue on my friends 34 3-window. I think it might have been the Duncan blue.