I am currently doing bodywork on my 1968 Std. Coupe with the intention of painting the entire car. I am using PPG DZ Kondar for the primer and plan to use PPG DDL1 Single Stage Acrylic Lacquer for the topcoat (and then color sand it). Yeah, I could probably have Earl Scheib prep and paint it in a weekend for less than it will cost me in equipment, supplies and hard work, but what's the fun in that!

I still have alot of prep to go before the topcoat but I have been dreaming about the final color. Originally, I was planning on Butternut Yellow because I have never worked with a Metallic before (I've only previously painted DDL White) and thought it would be more forgiving. But I really would be happier with one of the 67/68 blue or turquoise that I have seen at car shows over the years. Having decided that, here are my choices:

1967 Marina Blue (F)
1967 Emerald Turquoise (K)
1968 Grotto Blue (D) - original color of car
1968 Tripoli Turquoise (K)

This is a matching numbers car all the way through with performance mods to the engine (bored over, Holley 4bbl, headers, etc.). I am not so concerned about originality or perfection as I am about having a car that I enjoy. I am thinking about a Bumble Bee Stripe in either White or Black (car has Black interior). I don't want to spend $40 for a pint sample. My questions are:

-1- Is there a color that would be more forgiving to work with (i.e. future spot repairs, showing imperfections, etc.)?
-2- On a dark to light scale, what order would these colors be?
-3- Any personal opinions or pictures of cars painted these colors?

I won't tell you which way I'm currently leaning so I don't skew anyone's opinion. Thanks for any input you may have!

Dan

Dan, I have an original Turquoise interior/exterior SS/RS. I can tell you that it is a beautiful color. Especially for the interior. Being my car was orginally these colors, I plan on restoring those back to the car. I have seen cars with both black top (like mine) and with white tops. Both bumble bee stripe also. I personally like the white top. But mine is black with a black bumble bee stripe. Just my opinion, But the turquoise interior is the way to go. You won't see too many cars with that color.

ISLAND TEAL, hands down, with any metallic lacquer, you should use PPG Hi-Performance Clear lacquer. The clear gives it a "glamour" look and protects against burning of the metallic in the color when your buffing. Put about 5-6 coats of the clear on, since you will be color sanding 2-3 coats off. On the last 2 coats use the 105 thinner instead of the 876. The 105 dries a little slower and aids in flow-out. Wait at least 1-2 weeks before color sanding and buffing, AND at least 4 weeks before doing any taping for stripes etc. The paint film may seem dry, but when you re-wet the stripe color, it softens the tape edge, and the clear/paint underneath.Wait the 4 weeks, you'll be glad you did.

Dan,

Maybe you can go a little darker with '68 Teal Blue(L)/'67 Tahoe Turquoise(L). It shows well with either the white or black bumble bee stripes and black or turquoise interiors like CruiseMaster mentioned. Mine is the '67(L) convertible with a black top/interior and a white bumble bee. Take a look at my link to help you decide. Good luck.

Geez you guys, I wanted to narrow down colors not add more ;) ! Seriously, thanks for the suggestions.

Cruisemaster-I like that Turq. interior and maybe I'll save my pennies for an interior redo someday.

Oramac68-You are right about the clear, I thought the single stage would be easier and keep costs down but if I've gone this far...

L6-you have a beautiful car!

If you can't decide on a clear winner in your color choice I would give the edge to the original color. It may add value to a #s matching car. I have the same situation with a #s matching car with some performance mods and went with the grotto. The car is no where near complete or I would post a pic. Do a google search of the cars and colors and see what you like. Also spend time at shows to find cars the colors you like. Half the fun is making the decision.

Hey Dan,

Send me your email address if you want a picture of my 67 Marina Blue Vert. (My personal favorite color!) I think it is also probably the lightest, then the two turquoises and Grotto I think is the darkest. (Someone please correct me if I am wrong.) I don't know about the others as far as hiding imperfections, but Marina Blue seems to do a pretty good job hiding mine.

I looked at a 68 vert that was that Grotto Blue and I do like that color too. It is ultimately your choice what color you go with but if Grotto Blue is the Factory color, I would definitely stick with it since it is on your list.

For Grotto Blue I am not sure if a black or white stripe would be better, but I would lean towards the white bumblebee stripe

Hey Dan from Seattle, I'm Dan from Seattle too (o.k., well Marysville anyway ;) ) I have some friends with grotto blue cars and neither of them like it. They both wanted something different, not that what they think would matter to you, but I also have a few acquaintences with turquoise cars. 1 is a "tahoe turquoise" and the other is that emerald. they both enjoy their paint color very much. it helps me to look at other peoples cars and then write down the initial feelings you get about the car. Later, you can go back and 1 or 2 should stick out as being clearly better. Whatever color you decide, a clear coat is a must! It's a big fat bunch of work, but one day it will really be worth it!

Good luck-Dano graemlins/beers.gif

Dan, attached is my original seat pictures, check this out. By the way, these pictures were taken before I cleaned them. One more thing, I have the original door panels too, you can check out the pics on the link below in the directory "Before Pictures".

http://webpages.charter.net/k30ssrs/Before%20pictures/Front%20seats http://webpages.charter.net/k30ssrs/Before%20pictures/Rear%20seat

[ 06-30-2004, 10:05 PM: Message edited by: 67CruiseMasterCamaro ]

Great post. Has my juices goin already. You named some excellent colors there but I think you had it nailed the first time with the Butternut Yellow. That is a gorgeous color when black is added for stripes. The bttom line here is paint it what color you are most liking.

My car was supposed to be Rallye Green, but I hate green, so it just got painted Hugger and I am totally pleased with it.

L6RagTop - Love your paint. I'm always getting compliments at shows with my car. Not every day do you see the teal colored cars. You always see the reds, yellows, greens, blues and blacks.

Bad pic, but check the sig.

Randy

I am partial to the reds and blues. If you are not intent on the factory original color, the sky is the limit. Click on my link. The 69 is Chevrolet Indigo Blue. It has a little blue pearl in it and in the right light at certain angles it has a little purple hue to it. With the white stripes and Ivory interior it is a head turner and trophy winner.

BTW, Randy, have you finished the power steering install yet?

I might be biased, but I really like my Marina Blue. It is hard to see them, but there are three stripes under the midpoint of the doors of slightly, progressively darker blues that fade into the base color behind the door. Marina Blue (http://www.cardomain.com/id/ironwood10)

69X11SS - No, I haven't installed it yet, but have everything to do it. Thought I would just wait until after the summer was over -

Then, the rear end went out of the wife's Z28 and I had to use the 67 as a daily driver into downtown St. Louis - 3 days of looking out the window every 20 minutes.

Hopefully, come fall, I'm going to get a new coat of paint slapped on the 67, teal of course smile.gif , with Z28 white stripes and put a new interior into it after it is painted.

Hope everything is working out on your car that got damaged recently.

Randy

Randy, I heard a little about the rear going out in Susan's Z. Hope that works out OK. I feel for you driving the 67 in downtown STL. Thank goodness you didn't have the 67 all apart when the Z's rearend went south.

The 93 Z is at Xtreme Body & Paint (shameless plug). They are waiting for the hood. It is supposed to be in today or tomorrow. I am just thankful that the insurance company of the guy that backed over it didn't throw a fit about the damage ($3,600.00) vs. the age of the car. The complete rebuild of the car was less than 60 days old.

Jim

Jim,

Long story on Susan's Z - more on that later after GM decides what they want to do about it. Dealer we bought it from is out of business. Out $2k so far in repair bill for it.

Sorry we got off track for a minute guys.

Randy

Thanks for all the input! I am torn. Part of me wants to see the car the way it was way back in '68(Grotto Blue) but I get a tingling up my spine when I see First Gens painted the Turquoise colors.

I think I will wait for the car shows up here this summer to make my final decision. Hey, MrDanB, are you going to catch the All Chevy Show put on by PNWCC this year, I think that will be where I really decide!

Thanks everyone!
Dan

Dan, I am the Activities Director for the PNWCC! ;) I am helping put the show on in Bellevue August 13-15 @ Bellevue Community College. Read the "cruise in" section for info on the show... Feel free to email me and maybe we can meet up sometime 1/2 way? I have met many great folks off this site...I can introduce you to some folks in the club and one of the guys with the turquoise 67 convertible smile.gif

Dan graemlins/beers.gif

Dan B.-
First off, your car looks great! I'll be at the show on Sat. the 14th, maybe I'll run into you. One of these years I'll go to a meeting or two but so far my Camaro is only fit for the "Beater Brunch".

I was surfing the show site and saw the color I want to paint my car. It was on a real nice 68 RS/SS (picture #16550 from the 2003 show). I remember talking to the owner last year and I think he said it was Tripoli Turquoise. Any info?

Thanks,
The other Dan B. :D

[ 07-04-2004, 07:43 PM: Message edited by: thehugger ]

Hey ironwood, I like your setup...could you detail your suspension and tire/wheel sizes when you get a chance? I want to set my 68 similiar...Thanks!


Originally posted by ironwood:
I might be biased, but I really like my Marina Blue. It is hard to see them, but there are three stripes under the midpoint of the doors of slightly, progressively darker blues that fade into the base color behind the door. Marina Blue (http://www.cardomain.com/id/ironwood10)

Hey there Ledhed,

The front suspension is stock, but I just installed Caltrac's split mono-leaf rear suspension (part # S230-44)with their traction bar set up (part #2300). I used the "standard height" springs. The wheels are Pacer Dragmark 15x7 fronts and 15x8.5 rear with Cooper Cobra GT P215/70 front P225/60 rears. I think I might install taller rear tires one of these days.

Good luck with your project. Lets see some pictures.
graemlins/beers.gif

Thanks ironwood, I might be inclined to lower it a inch or so before going taller....