Re: Looking for the "Perfect" Packard Engine Paint

Posted by fredkanter On 2016/7/2 15:38:41

Age and heat change the pigments in oil based paints. Something painted in 1937 has aged 80 years and been through 1000's of heat cycles so I doubt it is the same color it originally was. Packard used a green from the 20's at least until 1952 as my '52 factory show car had an original green engine.

It is my guess that Packard did not have a very tight spec on the color as it was not an external appearance item like Packard Blue. My guess is that there are dozens if not hundreds of correct original shades, Checker had over 240 shades of taxicab yellow all bearing the same name. Usually the lowest bidder got the contract.

There may be a paint that is 100% identical to 1934 but it may not be the same as 1935, then again it may be.

Paint it something close and keep in mind that I don't think you can't "match" a color paint from a computer photo, too many electronic "interpretations" along the way.

The time you save fretting over the color might best be spent driving and enjoying your car with the hood closed