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

Has anyone noticed a close enough match to the Packard gray engine paint that would be available at my local Autozone, Napa, etc? The real stuff is kind of pricy. If not, is it a light, medium or dark gray? I checked the Packard Paint X-Ref on this sight, but didn't see anything listed.

Ahh the great debate of the "correct" Packard Gray. The gray on my engine is from Bill Hirsch and is gray with a lot of brown in it. Kind of a motley gray, that is the best way i can describe it.

Now I have seen alot of other motors that are closer to a Dove gray. I believe this is incorrect and the result of engine paint that has oxidized (paint gets lighter as it oxidizes generally) over the years. So folks seeing that assume that is the correct color and copied it.

See the engine pictures on my blog for an idea of what the Bill Hirsch Packard engine gray looks like.

Thanks BigKev,

I have been closely following your blog. I know that sometimes monitors can make colors look off. I thought maybe someone might have actually found the right one on the shelf. I think I will take a look and try to go for a medium gray. That's what it looks like in your pics anyway. Dove gray is lighter I believe so having more brown would darken it.

Maybe like this one, only a tad lighter (and not a primer)...

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I think there is a bit more brown/green in the Hirsch paint as compared to the dupicolor paint.

Yes...I see it now. Having the two pics together is a lot easier than the click one window then click the other window I was trying to do to compare them.

That's does seem like a pretty unique color. I may just try to get close and if the car turns out better than I imagine and it becomes worth it, I'll put the right stuff on.

Yeah it is an odd color for sure. Motley Gray is the best term I can use for it.

Whether you buy the engine enamel from Kanters, Max, Bill Hirsch or perhaps others, they all come from the same paint pot or at least they used to, so why not price shop and get the correct color. You and others may be looking at your engine for a lot of years, so if you're not going to try to tint something yourself to match the correct paint, I'd say spring for the right color despite it being a bit pricey.

Paint it bright pink, no one will notice the difference...