Red paint; ski coating

[devil dog]

Hi everyone! Have we come to an agreement on the red paint code/product or people using what they think is best? Also, what is the best/most correct coating for skis?

[cdnprairie]

Hi Mike,

The paint code for Gypsy Red I used is listed previously under this heading. I think it is very close and I was just elated as to the results with my Diablo. I sent a pic to Bruce and he seemed to like the finished product. Bruce never got back to me on his formula to compare. Also, the one I used is bang on for the current decals being reproduced. If you are interested I can e-mail you a copy of the actual paper work my paint supplier gave me. For the skiis, I used "MINWAX WOODFINISH" stain sealer and topped it off with a few coats of Flecto Varathane. Hope this is helpful.

Ken

[Go Go Diablo]

I wish I knew the correct formula. I've painted three so far and I don't think any of them are a perfect match. Seeing a picture does not help either as it is still hard to compare. Even if a guy gets the right paint color, now you better hope the guy at the paint store knows how to mix. Red is the most difficult color to match.

Good luck and if you find a color that really matches, share it here. Eventually when the web site stops kicking my rear, I'll add it there too.

Thanks all,

Bruce

[cdnprairie]

Hi Bruce,

I would agree pictures are not the best way to judge and I am not sure how one is to determine which shade of red is the closest without putting all the machines along side one another and come up with a determination. Of course we are dealing with different paint technoligies which I am sure are superior to 40 years ago and probably like comparing apples with oranges. I dont know how as a group we could come to a decision on this one.

Ken

[Barrie2777]

I looked through pages of paint chips for Crysler, GM and Ford but found no color I liked as much as the red I used on my 1958 MGA. It is called Orient Red. The guy mixed my paint exactly the same as when I did the MG four years ago.

[devil dog]

Thanks Ken, Bruce, and Barrie for the feedback. I think if there is a formula that matches the current repro decals that is cool. I think I will still take a NOS 500 hood which I should have in a week and let my friend who is a auto paint tech scan it and get a mix for it. When I get some info I will post it.

[cdnprairie]

It will be interesting to see what your guy comes up with and do a comparison with my mix, Bruces and Barrie's. Would be interesting to see if these technicians are close. I wonder what Rock came up with by his paint guy?

Ken

[devil dog]

Wow! That looks perfect! I dont think there is any room for improvment there! I am still running a lowish hour "daily driver" 502 but hope to have a 50 something and a Hus-Ski in new paint next riding season. Cheers Mate!

[Go Go Diablo]

That is just incredible looking Ken. You shared the picture in the snow, but that one really jumps out. A fine fine job my friend.

Bruce

[cdnprairie]

Thanks for the comments. Like I say I think it is just about bang on with the reds in the decals for sure.I think with todays modern paints it is going to be tough to find an"exact match". There are simply too much change in the technology. A lot of paints out there today are somewhat sensitive to light and can appear to change slightly as the light changes. Also to take a photo and come up with the true colors is tough, I think thats why photo buffs prefer to take pics in over cast conditions rather than full sun. The pic above was taken late day heavy overcast (in garage). The photos on the friends tab, components in basement under flourescent lighting and on the snow, mid day full bright sun. The color does appear somewhat different depending on light conditions.The one in the garage I think most accurately depics the true color of my diablo.

Ken