810/812 Paint color

You have to be careful with PPG historical colors. Years ago when Mr. Cullen ran this service for Ditzler, he eyeballed and substituted colors that were fairly close. Many are right on, others aren't so good. Try to obtain a small sample and test the color to see that it is what you are looking for. Also, sometimes today when using an original organic paint sample from old lacquer, the computer cannot comprehend the values or shades of pigment used to make the old colors. The current pigments are based on synthetic pigments made from aneline dyes. These produce a much brighter, vivid shade of color than the old muddy pigments used in the 1930-50's. Technology is good but at the same time, the originality has been lost.

We have virtually quit the paint business because all our original formulas were made using volume and not weight and were for nitrocellouse or acrylic lacquer pigments. We tried to have them changed over to enamels and urethanes but the colors were not like the originals. With the Haz-Mat and environmental costs added in, it became too expensive. There is no reason for any of our Cord colors to cost several hundred dollars per gallon!

Stan

Al Hatch wrote: PPG (Pittsburgh Paint & Glass - formerly Ditzler Paint), historical archieves section has the original formulas. The paint division use to be located in Detroit a few years ago and you could call them and they would give you the formula over the phone. Most PPG supplier or distributors can still access the archieves if you can get one of the sales clerks to take the time. It's worth a try.

Thanks for the information Al. I will contact them and see what I get.mm

Mona,

PPG (Pittsburgh Paint & Glass - formerly Ditzler Paint), historical archieves section has the original formulas. The paint division use to be located in Detroit a few years ago and you could call them and they would give you the formula over the phone. Most PPG supplier or distributors can still access the archieves if you can get one of the sales clerks to take the time. It's worth a try.

CORDially,

Al Hatch

Thanks for your reply Jack. I have been out of town so just got your note tonight. I found a sample of what is suppossed to be the original Rich Maroon and gave it to my painter. He is having his supplier analyze it. I gave it to him the day I left town and so haven't talked to him since I got back (10:30pm tonight). When I left he was working on the "skim" coat and said he would be starting the priming in about a week. I hope to go by the shop tomorrow and check on progress. Since I do not have the skill or the equipment, I am having to hire the work done. I know that it will be expensive but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and proceed. The body work is all done and everyone who has seen it is very impressed with the work. Hope to be able to trailer it (incomplete) to Rainbow Falls in Sept. Hope to see you there. Thanks again for your response. mm

Hello Mona,

I am also painting my Westchester in deep maroon, and I took an original part with good paint in to my local supplier, he matched it very closely to a stock color under his Color Matching System, it is CMS 8653A, available in a variety of paints. I am using acrylic urethane enamel (RM Uno brand). The matching tan color for trim I chose was CMS 2210A. As far a cost, I am doing it myself, but the paint is VERY expensive, so be prepared for a significant expense as there is a great deal of preparatory work necessary before final "color" coats are sprayed. Good luck,
Jack

Thank you for the information. Will fax a letter to him.

You can contact Jon Bill at the ACD Museum. He can furnish the mix formula for your color. They have read the colors with some type of equipment that is available. As to price, it depends on the quality of work you want done.

Tom Georgeson

Thanks to several wonderful Cord friends we are making great progress on my 1937 Cabriolet. Ready for paint and looking for a copy of the original color chart or the mixing numbers for the [u:pjn89rqe]Rich Maroon[/u:pjn89rqe].

<!-- s:?: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_question.gif" alt=":" title="Question" /><!-- s:?: --> Any idea what it should cost to have the car painted? It is down to bare metal with all body work completed. I know when you say Cord, the price goes up. I am not going for a 100 pt car, but want it to look good as I plan on driving it. I would rather dust the car than trophies.