Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

I just went through this myself .On my 54 I saw alot of light gray during the disassemble and clean up.I ordered the 54 packard gray from Hirsch but it was way to dark.I called and spoke to someone who said they actually have two different grays for packards.It has been a matter of opinion I guess from Packard experts as to how dark it was supposed to be.He sent me a lighter gray that was still too dark but alot closer than the first can he sent.I would call it a battleship gray.

Dear Paintdaddy:

I don't know which gray is the right one, but looking at paint formulas shows that grays are White + Black + Tints such as Blue + Maroon + Yellow + Umber ... There is a lot of room for fading in those tints.

I was in a warehouse today looking at junkyard motors as regards Packard green. All of these motors had the paint burned off except for small remnants. Here is what I found as regards my previously mentioned Hirsch green:

early twin six - lighter but clearly a medium green

35 Super Eight - much darker dry, much closer when wetted with solvent, drying back to dark.

37 Twelve - close to darker depending on lighting. Perhaps some faded tints

Various 120's - dead on - especially generator bracket which is not subject to high temperatures.

48 very light gray on block.

So if your generator bracket is still gray I would use that for comparison.

I decided the best way to make a point was some actual exhibits:

Below is a picture showing an original Packard engine part taken from a junk and cleaned for the first time to expose the original Packard green paint.

Beside it is a spray plate with the previously mentiond leading authentic Packard green engine paint.

Please note that the lighter zone and the bolt are dry and that the darker zone has been wetted with solvent to simulate a fresh surface. Sometimes this produces a lighter zone.

As previously mentioned I have complete faith in the product. Yes, I have seen and documented variations, but these results can be repeated over and over by examining the same parts on original Packard motors.

My interest here is to provide a meaningful reference.

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