1947 paint color

[Gary Blakeslee]

Hi everyone,  I am getting ready to paint my 1947 convertible.  But I am having a problem with the paint companies coming up with the same color.  The color is Madeira Maroon.  I went to the PPG distributor and they make up a sample from there paint library and came up with a dark maroon with gold metallic.  Then I went to a DuPont distributor and ask for a sample from their paint library.  The color was a bright maroon with silver metallic.  Which company is close to being correct?  Is the metallic a gold or silver?  Was the maroon a deep or a bright color? 
My big mistake was to sample paint from two suppliers, now I'm not sure and now I need help from our club.

Gary B

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Guess what? Neither color is correct. Any metallic in early post war colors is more imagined than something you can see. Stop where you are, as painting your 40s car with what you have will make it look like something from the eighties. I don't remember the site, but there is one that you can get the authentic look colors. Some one else please chime in that has a better memory than I do.

[Quentin Hall]

You are best to go on Ebay and buy a paint chart for 1947 Cadillac. You can usually get pretty close with an eye match to existing paint chip samples. I would never rely on a formula to be correct. Physical match is the only way. Is there any original paint left on the car that hasn't been exposed to harsh elements?

[Terry Wenger]

Go to the Auto Color Library at www.AutoColorLibrary.com . They can mix the colors exactly in BC-CC or acrylic enamel. I have used their basecoat in their "Restoration Shop Paint" twice on a '55 and '41. Their colors are a dead on match to those in my original color chip books. Trying to get the standard paint companies to match the original colors is a waste of time.

Terry Wenger

[Paul Tesone]

 Gary - I went thu this painful process when trying to paint my 47 . Actually had the firewall and dash already painted when I was fortunate enough to meet a fellow member who had a two tone  47 , one color of which was the Seine blue I was looking for . He has a restoration shop nearby , used his resources ,and was certain his research got him the correct  modern formula . Completely different color from what I picked . Had the dash and firewall resprayed .Thank goodness that's all that had been sprayed with the incorrect color at that point . Similar situation when trying to get a modern equivilent for my 37 . I called Dupont and managed to contact a dept that apparently has SOME records of new paint formulas converted from the old ones . They didn't have anything for my 37 , but perhaps they will for your Madeira Maroon formula . I have been trying to find that tel  number for you , but have not had any luck . However , in looking for that information , I came across this same question that was raised on the Forum some time ago . I will try to copy and paste it in this post , but I'm computer challanged ; so if it doesn't work , search "Madeira Maroon Formula? " . You should see a 58th response by Anthony Ammen dated 3/21/08 in response to the original 3/20/08 question . The posts in response to the original question may prove helpful in addition to advice Terry has given you about the Auto Color Library . I have not used the Color Library myself , but have often seen it referred to on the Forum . More importantly , Terry , if you happen not to know of him , is very knowledgeable and I trust his advice . ..Good luck and post some pictures . ...Paul Tesone CLC # 6876

http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=101026.msg111290#msg111290

[harvey b]

On the old colors the metallic was really fine,was very hard to see,even in direct sunlight,the new colors all use pearls now,they are really bright when the sun hits them.It would look like a circus ride if you were to use them?.Dupont used to have a vintage color section,but when Axalta bought them out it seems to have disappeared?.your best bet is to get some paint from a couple of different companies and have them sprayed out on a panel at least 10 X 10 and see how they look,The colors in  the can do not always look like when they are sprayed,I would try this first before buying any large amount of paint, Harvey

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Terry has the site I was thinking of and used when I bought paint for my 1941 60S. It is a 1932/1933 dark brown. (I saved up for the $25.00 extra to use any durable previous paint... How much would that $25.00 be these days?)