Aztec Yellow?

My PPG paint store has been excellent at getting formulas for old colors; in the event that they can't find a formula within their own information in the store, they are able to go back to their corporate headquarters and get a formula based on the original color standard.

The color computer that my paint rep brings to the shop is a small handheld device that he places on the car, not a situation where something from the car has to be placed "into" a machine. You need something relatively flat with good color on it. Sounds like you've looked pretty hard for that, though.

Have you tried www.autocolorlibrary.com yet? They should be able to provide you with the correct color in the event that you can't get it done locally.

Thanks Tim. I dont think we have portable spectrometer technology yet
Both of the paint guys said id need to bring something in to him no bigger then credit card sized to get a paint match.

Im checking out the autocolor library now. I think importing paint (or any chemical) is a fairly complicated process but that site may give me some info i need.

Ill try and find a ppg guy maybe thats who i need to talk to! Thanks!

BEn

Wasn't the Aztec yellow, or beige, a Coronado color? I remember some discussion a year or so ago about 54 Coronados being Aztec beige and green. Most of them were green on the bottom and beige on top and the beige bottom/green top was rare. I remember the discussion because back about 1956 my brother had a 54 Coronado with the rare beige bottom and green top. I know this doesn't help you find the paint formula but might explain why that color isn't on the color chart.

The 54 Coronado colors were Sahara Beige & Cadiz Blue. Ben's original Aztec yellow is on his color chart. I believe the color chip on the chart is too small to shoot. Randy Strawn had his yellow and black 53 Sportsman at the convention in Reno and it was stunning. The yellow color on the 51 thru 53 DeSotos was called Ceramic Yellow. The color chip for this color is on the chart for the 51 DeSotos. It appears there was a change in the mix with the name change for the 54's. I will attach a picture of Randy's 54. Mac

So Ben, who's your paint vendor? DuPont? Maybe I can find something up here for your.

OK,I guess that says something about my memory, eye sight and lack of knowledge

Thanks guys. Tim, yes we use DuPont.

A question for those more computer savvy then I, if i print out a original color chart, will that be a close color match? I know the color can change form one computer screen to another due to settings, but will printing the file result in a similiar - to - original color on the sheet?

I wouldn't trust the consistency of printer inks, Ben.

Someone that lurks on this message board contacted me through Facebook and mentioned that RM has the following information on their website. Perhaps DuPont can do a cross reference?

1954 Aztec yellow. This code is listed in the RM paint catalog, code is "355 54D71"

Thanks Tim. I looked into RM but cant find a supplier here. Ill call around tomorow. I found a PPG color, 80642, and called the only PPG shop in my city today. The guy was very helpful, called me back in a couple of hours. He said yes PPG had a code for the color, but no-one (and he had apperently contacted both PPG australia HQ and a PPG guy in the states?) had a formula to create it!

I was looking at the paint chart for 53, and Cermaic Yellow is almost the same as Aztec Yellow. Both have White, Ferrite Yellow, Green Gold toner, and black in them, the only difference being Aztec Yellow also has Chrome Oxide Green.

The 54 Coronado colors were Sahara Beige & Cadiz Blue. Ben's original Aztec yellow is on his color chart. I believe the color chip on the chart is too small to shoot. Randy Strawn had his yellow and black 53 Sportsman at the convention in Reno and it was stunning. The yellow color on the 51 thru 53 DeSotos was called Ceramic Yellow. The color chip for this color is on the chart for the 51 DeSotos. It appears there was a change in the mix with the name change for the 54's. I will attach a picture of Randy's 54. Mac

Doh! Mac said what i had just posted. Mac, any chance you could be in contact with Randy Strawn, maybe see if he doesnt mind me contacting him - or contacting me?

Ben,

Randy is a site user and posted a lot of questions when he was restoring his 53. I don't know if he still visits the site, but I feel like he would enjoy helping you if he could. His contact information is in the roster issue. If you don't have this I can send it to you.

Mac

Mac, I do have the roster, ill go have a flick thorugh and see if i can get in touch with him. Thanks

I can give you one more place to try... Tower Paint. When I was thinking about the original color on my wagon, I contacted them off an ad I saw. They keep the original factory color charts on just about every make car. They used the small spot on the color chart, made up a batch of the paint I was looking for and sent it to me. They offered it in the can or in a spray. I took the spray can for the time being as I wanted to compare it with the "hidden" (a place where paint had not been exposed) original paint on my car. When I tested the paint I was shocked how close a match it was, I couldn't even find the "edge" from where I painted and where I stopped. You will pay them some set up fees to mix something they don't already have the formula for, but it will be worth it. Now remember, this was about 7 years ago.. so things may be a little different now, but worth checking on. Look in Hemmings.. I believe they advertised in there.

Good Luck!
Dean