EARLY 1926 COUPE PAINT

[lirogo27]

Folks. I have perused McCalley and this Forum. I want to make sure i am correct. Early 1926 coupe was either Black or Channel Green. Early in 1926, paint was enamel. Later in 1926 paint went to Pyroxylin. Paint chips no longer exist. There are pictures on site of coupes in approximate period colors. There are no formulas for the enamel but there are some approximate formulas for the later Pyroxylin versions. Yes? Hopefully I have it correct and am not missing anything. Let me know. THX

[Steve Jelf]

There are no chips, but Bruce lists the formulae in the full version of the encyclopedia.

I'll give the usual warning to not depend on names. Different companies may use different names for a single color.

[Allan]

You cannot rely on on-line photographs to ever represent true colours. I usually try to find the colour I like on another car or even a building, and have it matched. This is easy for a good paint shop to do if you can give them a sample to match. Someone may already have had a match made and may be able to supply a formula for the mix. Then again, different paint systems have different formulae.

Allan from down under.

[lirogo27]

There are no chips, but Bruce lists the formulae in the full version of the encyclopedia.




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Paints 2.jpg


I'll give the usual warning to not depend on names. Different companies may use different names for a single color.

STEVE! HOW ARE YOU ! I HOPE WELL! Yes I have that. I printed it from Mcalley. I saw Channel Green listed and then referenced below with a formula for a diff name. Hence trying to clarify in my post! THANK YOU AGAIN!

[lirogo27]

You cannot rely on on-line photographs to ever represent true colours. I usually try to find the colour I like on another car or even a building, and have it matched. This is easy for a good paint shop to do if you can give them a sample to match. Someone may already have had a match made and may be able to supply a formula for the mix. Then again, different paint systems have different formulae.

Allan from down under.

Thank you Allan. Was just trying to get as close to time frame correct. I am pretty sure it was channel green, trying to dispel any doubt it could be one of the other greens. THX

[Allan]

Lisa, the trouble is what green is Channel Green? As Steve said, different companies have different names for colours, and this will mean different greens. If you can tie one of the formulas to a particular paint job that you like, then you may be in luck, but you will still need to have seen the colour somewhere.

When I wanted a period green for my 1917 Shooting brake, I found one I liked on a company liquor store chain. They were able to provide me with the PMS number from their Company livery, and then the paint shop had a reference to mix the colour to.

Allan from down under.

[Jones in Aiken SC]

Take a look at these guys:

https://www.autocolorlibrary.com/pages/ ... odal-close

The problem with using the original Ditzler lacquer or enamel codes (DDL, etc.) is that nary a paint shop that I have dealt with can cross reference it to anything in their system. Even PPG paint suppliers that I have dealt with are mystified by those Ditzler codes, which is odd since PPG bought Ditzler. Maybe I haven't dealt with the right PPG shop I guess.

The original green on a Coupe or Tudor, at least on the very early 26's, was very, very dark. The paint chips in the autocolorlibrary link for the greens look pretty accurate to me, although looking at the chips on your average computer screen makes them look black. You could always order a small amount of paint from them to take a look, or they might even send out paint chips. You would have to contact them and ask.

As far as the early 26 cars being black, I believe there is evidence that some were indeed black. My 26 Coupe had some original paint inside that I rubbed out and I didn't see any trace of green, only black. My 26 Coupe engine is 12546XXX indicating an October 1925 build date for the engine.

[lirogo27]

Take a look at these guys:

https://www.autocolorlibrary.com/pages/ ... odal-close

The problem with using the original Ditzler lacquer or enamel codes (DDL, etc.) is that nary a paint shop that I have dealt with can cross reference it to anything in their system. Even PPG paint suppliers that I have dealt with are mystified by those Ditzler codes, which is odd since PPG bought Ditzler. Maybe I haven't dealt with the right PPG shop I guess.

The original green on a Coupe or Tudor, at least on the very early 26's, was very, very dark. The paint chips in the autocolorlibrary link for the greens look pretty accurate to me, although looking at the chips on your average computer screen makes them look black. You could always order a small amount of paint from them to take a look, or they might even send out paint chips. You would have to contact them and ask.

As far as the early 26 cars being black, I believe there is evidence that some were indeed black. My 26 Coupe had some original paint inside that I rubbed out and I didn't see any trace of green, only black. My 26 Coupe engine is 12546XXX indicating an October 1925 build date for the engine.

Jones - I emailed them about 4-5 months ago. NO chips. No small batch. You buy a standard amount of paint from them or you don't get their version of the color. Yes on the website that green looks almost black. Actually, so does the gunmetal blue and one other color. Chip is so fuzzy for it to scan it will likely revert to black. FYI - By standard amount - i believe it is gallon. Not quart. They have made sure if you want what they say is the color that you will PAY $$$$$$$ for it. They are a business and certainly not fools.

[Mark Gregush]

I was told this a good while ago and may still be true. When scanning a chip, the color will be what is in that scanners data base and not necessarily the color you want.

[Jones in Aiken SC]

Autocolor/TCP Global library does sell it in quarts, although it is $130-150'ish a quart.

Here is an old thread on the 26/27 Green paint that might be of interest to you.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=42967

[lirogo27]

Autocolor/TCP Global library does sell it in quarts, although it is $130-150'ish a quart.

Here is an old thread on the 26/27 Green paint that might be of interest to you.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=42967

Interesting. They seemed to indicate gallon only when I spoke with them. Quart - 200 including shipping and tax - assuming they ship to CA. Still 200 bucks to find out color and only IF IF IF theirs is legit close. We have no idea if theirs is truly 'THE COLOR' and really not interested in spending 200 if I can find something reasonably close from other sources. THXJones though.

[Jones in Aiken SC]

Maybe you can try those paint codes in the Bruce McCalley book posted above, maybe talk to a Sherwin Williams paint shop (do they do auto paint??). Maybe print that out and take it to various paint dealers. Be prepared to be frustrated, but you never know....

My personal advice is make sure the color is VERY dark. If it looks like it belongs on a John Deere tractor, it ain't right.

That's all I got.

[lirogo27]

Maybe you can try those paint codes in the Bruce McCalley book posted above, maybe talk to a Sherwin Williams paint shop (do they do auto paint??). Maybe print that out and take it to various paint dealers. Be prepared to be frustrated, but you never know....

My personal advice is make sure the color is VERY dark. If it looks like it belongs on a John Deere tractor, it ain't right.

That's all I got.

LOL! dark dark dark huh? I will avoid the tractor color for sure as I don't like it!!!!! We wills ee how dark if I ask about the CAlley codes. THX again!

[lirogo27]

Autocolor/TCP Global library does sell it in quarts, although it is $130-150'ish a quart.

Here is an old thread on the 26/27 Green paint that might be of interest to you.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=42967

That is the late 1926 into 1927. Highland Green. But it is a very very very nice color.

[lirogo27]

Take a look at these guys:

https://www.autocolorlibrary.com/pages/ ... odal-close

The problem with using the original Ditzler lacquer or enamel codes (DDL, etc.) is that nary a paint shop that I have dealt with can cross reference it to anything in their system. Even PPG paint suppliers that I have dealt with are mystified by those Ditzler codes, which is odd since PPG bought Ditzler. Maybe I haven't dealt with the right PPG shop I guess.

The original green on a Coupe or Tudor, at least on the very early 26's, was very, very dark. The paint chips in the autocolorlibrary link for the greens look pretty accurate to me, although looking at the chips on your average computer screen makes them look black. You could always order a small amount of paint from them to take a look, or they might even send out paint chips. You would have to contact them and ask.

As far as the early 26 cars being black, I believe there is evidence that some were indeed black. My 26 Coupe had some original paint inside that I rubbed out and I didn't see any trace of green, only black. My 26 Coupe engine is 12546XXX indicating an October 1925 build date for the engine.

i am not seeing where you found the price at 150 a quart? I will play with it more this evening but I cant get a price. stay tuned

[lirogo27]

Take a look at these guys:

https://www.autocolorlibrary.com/pages/ ... odal-close

The problem with using the original Ditzler lacquer or enamel codes (DDL, etc.) is that nary a paint shop that I have dealt with can cross reference it to anything in their system. Even PPG paint suppliers that I have dealt with are mystified by those Ditzler codes, which is odd since PPG bought Ditzler. Maybe I haven't dealt with the right PPG shop I guess.

The original green on a Coupe or Tudor, at least on the very early 26's, was very, very dark. The paint chips in the autocolorlibrary link for the greens look pretty accurate to me, although looking at the chips on your average computer screen makes them look black. You could always order a small amount of paint from them to take a look, or they might even send out paint chips. You would have to contact them and ask.

As far as the early 26 cars being black, I believe there is evidence that some were indeed black. My 26 Coupe had some original paint inside that I rubbed out and I didn't see any trace of green, only black. My 26 Coupe engine is 12546XXX indicating an October 1925 build date for the engine.

Jones - I emailed them about 4-5 months ago. NO chips. No small batch. You buy a standard amount of paint from them or you don't get their version of the color. Yes on the website that green looks almost black. Actually, so does the gunmetal blue and one other color. Chip is so fuzzy for it to scan it will likely revert to black. FYI - By standard amount - i believe it is gallon. Not quart. They have made sure if you want what they say is the color that you will PAY $$$$$$$ for it. They are a business and certainly not fools.

PS...right on front page - they do not ship to California. Not that I would order anyway for 200 bucks but again, i don't see price coming up

[Allan]

Lisa,I posted earlier but it did not come out.

Different manufacturers have different, or even the same name, for different colours. So, one formula in one brand will not necessarily come up with the same colour as another.
The most reliable way to get what you want is to find it on another car and have a paint shop use their spectrometer to make a match. They can do this from any panel, like a hood side. I have had two original colours from colonial built bodies matched in this way.

Alternatively, the printing industry uses an international system to describe colours. Every colour imaginable is given a PMS number. When I found an old fashioned green I liked for my 1917 shooting brake, used to paint the exterior of the premises of a chain of liquor shops, I asked for the PMS number. Once the receptionist understood what I wanted, she was only too pleased to help. The paint shop was able to mix the coulr from that supplied number.

Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.

[lirogo27]

Lisa,I posted earlier but it did not come out.

Different manufacturers have different, or even the same name, for different colours. So, one formula in one brand will not necessarily come up with the same colour as another.
The most reliable way to get what you want is to find it on another car and have a paint shop use their spectrometer to make a match. They can do this from any panel, like a hood side. I have had two original colours from colonial built bodies matched in this way.

Alternatively, the printing industry uses an international system to describe colours. Every colour imaginable is given a PMS number. When I found an old fashioned green I liked for my 1917 shooting brake, used to paint the exterior of the premises of a chain of liquor shops, I asked for the PMS number. Once the receptionist understood what I wanted, she was only too pleased to help. The paint shop was able to mix the coulr from that supplied number.

Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.

Thank you. Will try to get as close to what I can find for Channel Green. the color sheet doesn't display well and i will do my best to look through ford magazines or brochures on line for a early to mid 1926. THX again Allan

[lirogo27]

Hey folks. All of the paint codes noted above and throughout the MTFCA site...

IS there a paint site where you can put in all the paint codes and proportions and have it 'spit out' a color? I have tried a series of sites and researched to no avail. Bottom line - all the codes are posted and offered by you all.....so has anyone ever been successful inputting them somewhere and seen the color output? I am guessing the answer is a NO or someone would have noted it. THX.

[modeltspaz]

Just to add some additional information. I worked in the Model Shop at Mattel Toy Company for 14 years, and in those 14 years I became VERY familiar with the (PMS) Pantone Matching System. The other system that was formerly used by Mattel's Model Shop was the Munsel system. These are THE MOST COMMONLY USED PAINT COLOR MATCHING SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD! They have literally thousands of different shades of color.

Originally these colors were used in the printing ink manufacturing industry. At Mattel the designers selected the desired colors from a fan chart. They could also be selected from a loose leaf book with swatches that could be torn out. The designers would select the colors, tear the swatches from the book (they were about 3/4 x 3/4") and provide them with the job. It was then my job to take the swatch and mix the paint and match it DEAD ON using only my eyes. And in case you were wondering, PMS 219 is, in fact, Barbie Pink. I mixed gallons of that c&#p. At one point, I think would have blead Barbie Pink.

At the moment, my Pantone paraphernalia is in storage, since Mattel "retired" me at 57 in 2016. When I get a chance, I'll dig it out. I've read here on forum that 1926 Ford Channel Green is a very close match to Rustoleum Hunter Green. I've tried to use it straight from the can to touch up my Channel Green '26 Touring, it's close, but no cigar. Just a bit too dark. Maybe some Safety Yellow would brighten it up. I'll have to give that a try.

One more thing. When Ford went to lacquer in late '25, they offered those colors in a satin finish. There are a few existing examples of that satin finish on original cars.

Mike.

[Allan]

Interesting Mike. I was aware of the Munsel system, but the Agriculture Department chief livestock research officer who told me of it, said it was widely used in the description of soil samples. Perhaps they were using part of the spectrum only.

Allan from down under.

[lirogo27]

Just to add some additional information. I worked in the Model Shop at Mattel Toy Company for 14 years, and in those 14 years I became VERY familiar with the (PMS) Pantone Matching System. The other system that was formerly used by Mattel's Model Shop was the Munsel system. These are THE MOST COMMONLY USED PAINT COLOR MATCHING SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD! They have literally thousands of different shades of color.

Originally these colors were used in the printing ink manufacturing industry. At Mattel the designers selected the desired colors from a fan chart. They could also be selected from a loose leaf book with swatches that could be torn out. The designers would select the colors, tear the swatches from the book (they were about 3/4 x 3/4") and provide them with the job. It was then my job to take the swatch and mix the paint and match it DEAD ON using only my eyes. And in case you were wondering, PMS 219 is, in fact, Barbie Pink. I mixed gallons of that c&#p. At one point, I think would have blead Barbie Pink.

At the moment, my Pantone paraphernalia is in storage, since Mattel "retired" me at 57 in 2016. When I get a chance, I'll dig it out. I've read here on forum that 1926 Ford Channel Green is a very close match to Rustoleum Hunter Green. I've tried to use it straight from the can to touch up my Channel Green '26 Touring, it's close, but no cigar. Just a bit too dark. Maybe some Safety Yellow would brighten it up. I'll have to give that a try.

One more thing. When Ford went to lacquer in late '25, they offered those colors in a satin finish. There are a few existing examples of that satin finish on original cars.

Mike.

Mike!!!!! Was at the garage last week. Thx for the info. I will look at the rustoleum out of curiosity. Yeah I have spent hours trying to find a site where I can plug all these paint coordinates into to see what spits out. Makes sense because the only way to know - since the metrics and proportions given are LISTED and discussed. But appears no one knows a site or app to plug and see or they would have tried it. Would be interesting to try to partially put it to bed once and for all. Hope u well. Look fwd to seeing u soon! Go barbie pink!!!!

[Allan]

lisa, even if you could find the formula/specs for the Chanel Green, and you could find the correct Chanel Green, a computer cannot reliably show it. The same input on different screens will not necessarily display the same colour. Sometimes you just have to get out into the real world.

If you can find the colour green you like, match it to a Pantone swatch and record the number, and let the paint shop do the rest. The key is the standardised and universally used PMS number system.

I cannot pick the colours from a standard paint chip card at the local hardware store. The Beauty of the Pantone swatches is a multitude of samples is arranged in sequence of varying shades of the same colour, so you just cast your eye down the swatch to the shade of green you like.

Allan from down under.

[lirogo27]

lisa, even if you could find the formula/specs for the Chanel Green, and you could find the correct Chanel Green, a computer cannot reliably show it. The same input on different screens will not necessarily display the same colour. Sometimes you just have to get out into the real world.

If you can find the colour green you like, match it to a Pantone swatch and record the number, and let the paint shop do the rest. The key is the standardised and universally used PMS number system.

I cannot pick the colours from a standard paint chip card at the local hardware store. The Beauty of the Pantone swatches is a multitude of samples is arranged in sequence of varying shades of the same colour, so you just cast your eye down the swatch to the shade of green you like.

Allan from down under.

thanks allen. Got it. I see analytic skills don't translate to T colors. Too many variables. Will find out where i can see or find a pantone swatch NOT on computer. Easier said to 'find swatch''. But more likely it will be computer based. Ordering a swatch I believe is fee based. Oh well.