paint info

I'm ready to paint a 54 vette polo white / sportsman red. Does anyone have good info on a paint manufacturer or even a specific paint formula that has been proven to match accurately. I kind of picky about this kind of thing and don't want it just any white and any red!! Unfortunetly I don't have a good sample to tint to. Thanks!!

Steve, I've done a fair amount of Corvette restorations, mostly on 56-57 models, but on a few other years also. I don't know what kind on luck you'll have finding exact formulas. Since the shift to the newer paints, many of the old colors no longer have formulas available.

Here are a few things I can tell you:

Early Corvette 'glass is very troublesome. Use a two part urethane primer! You will eliminate many future problems, if you do. I've tried everything available, and this was the absolute best.

Don't assume that a large paint producer has a formula, just because their books say so. I did a red '56 using a listed factory color form a major paint company. When it looked too orange, I did some research, and found they had substituted a Ford truck color.

Trust yourself (unless you are color blind) to match the white to an available color. Hopefully you have an original painted piece to match to.

I used Ford Wimbledon White on many 56-57 side coves, and never had a single complaint. (I do not know if that would be the same color as the 54 models) You might also consult a Corvette club, or restoration business specializing in early Vettes.

Remember you are replicating a lacquer paint job. You will have to sand and buff the car to eliminate all orange peel.