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I am finally close to final paint on the 31 Desoto after almost a year of body and frame restoration. The question I have is I'm staying with the red body and black fender look that was repainted in 37 and not the original paint that it was bought with. Does anyone know or have suggestions on what brand of paints and or a color that others have used in red that would be a good fit for this car. The paint stores that I have gone to ask me what color red for a hot rod would you like and I say that this is not to be a hot rod but just a restored nice red and black Desoto. All my painting exp. in the past is in white boats...... any help is appreciated.
Martin
Stop at NAPA and purchase their Sherwood Auto Paint. You want The
Single Stage design/ type.
If you want another to do it stop at MaaCo and ask about their Single
Stage Paint. This is a less than $1000 "ticket". The MaaCo Paint can be
found at any National De Soto Convention Location if you happen to get an
nick and want it spot painted to the same shade/ hue.
Rodger & Gabby
COS
FltSgt@outlook.com
Thanks for the help I will look into their paint on Monday.
Chris
I'd also ask several professional restorers about the colours of paint that might have been used on your car's model back in the day. They might already have information and relative research data regarding paint colours and paint manufacturers to suit your needs. Also, some well experienced automotive painters and body guys are usually very knowledgeable when it comes to this sort of thing. And if nothing else, they usually know where to look for this type of information, and they are also generally well-connected within the paint-data community.
Best of luck to you!
Looking forward to seeing the finished car!
http://www.tcpglobal.com/restorationshop
try this outfit. I've used their one step acrylic enamel very successfully and it is half the price of the local ppg dealer. I'm using a cheap harbor freight hvlp gun and it goes on like factory finish. they custom mix (but not that old) and have a nice selection of reds. They also have a phone to talk to the mixologist. dave
It's best to see the color on a real car before you pick one. When I repainted my 48 Plymouth years ago I spotted a nice red on a mid 80's Ford pickup that I liked (close match to the original Plymouth Sumac Red) and simply went to the auto paint store and bought that color. All modern cars use base coat/ clear coat which I don't like on old cars since they are way too glossy so try to stick with a single stage. Not as easy but more original.
Finding an original formula for a car your old may be a challenge. I did a quick search and didn't come up with much. Try contacting the 29 tech advisor. Remember most cars back then had very conservative color choices. Instead of red a maroon would be more likely to be original.
Tim Mabry
The Lost Cause Garage
47 Suburban
57 Sportsman 4dr HT
Thanks for all the help, I have been to Napa and a couple of local places. The local guys cant seem to get that I want to have an old good looking car and not a hot rod. I did have a body guy swing by and suggest that the body work is good.... but maybe one more fine pass on everything so I have not painted YET. I guess I am still an apprentice and not a journeyman garage body guy. Should be ready this weekend on the body work, then I might end up buying a couple of different quarts and test spray for what looks best.
Again thanks a bunch chris
Martin,
I have a listing of original colors for 31 and 32. For the 32's I have the formula's from DuPont. Monarch Maroon (IM-1230) and Rubicelle Maroon (IM-1104) were used on many 31 models, and in some cases coordinated with black fenders (on the sedans and the roadster). I think on the apcglobal.com site you can find the pages I am referring to under the Ditz-Lac Intermix System.
If you'd like I can post a scan of the 31/32 page. The formula page is with my painter as my 32 SC Custom Sedan is in the shop now being restored to original scheme of Jack Pine Gray body with Gloucester Gray Fenders(Olive with Dark Olive). If you decide you really need the formula, let me know, but the apc guys matched mine without it.
Good Luck
Lynn
I meant tpcglobal.... 
Thanks Lynn,
The original color was an off white from what our family said. It has been maroon / red with black fenders since 1936 and we all agreed that we would stick with that color so your codes are very helpful. apcglobal has more reds than I could believe. Glad to see like others have suggested too that maroon is more the color for the conservative times, I was a little nervous on painting a real bright red....
