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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: bake315 on April 02, 2011, 11:16:58 pm

Title: Matching SEM paint to original factory colors
Post by: bake315 on April 02, 2011, 11:16:58 pm
Hey guys,

After a year off,  I've started back in on my Cheyenne Super restoration.  I'm changing the color from the current yellow (Spanish Gold?) to Hawaiian Blue.  I wondered if anyone had an opinion as to which of their shades of vinyl paint would come closest to the original blue of the interior trim.  Using the reference that Stewart Griffin found, I noted that the blue for the '73 model year interior was listed as Slate Blue.  I have no idea what that color looks like, how it shows up against the Hawaiian Blue, nothing.  Does anyone have a pic of a their truck's interior that I could see, or have firsthand experience matching the SEM paint up in this type of situation?

Also, going to be doing new loop style carpeting, and wondered if the blue available at the forum store would match well with the paint options.

Thanks!

bake315
Title: Re: Matching SEM paint to original factory colors
Post by: bake74 on April 03, 2011, 06:57:26 pm
     I do not have pics of blue interior, but what I have done in the past is get the paint code, go to a paint supply store and have them match me paint to the paint code. 
     Slate blue probably has shade differences, so to get it as close to possible you will need the code.  Did you get the code ?  If not this site might help to show you the color  http://www.tcpglobal.com/autocolorlibrary/ , hope this helps out.
Title: Re: Matching SEM paint to original factory colors
Post by: bake315 on April 04, 2011, 09:01:29 am
     I do not have pics of blue interior, but what I have done in the past is get the paint code, go to a paint supply store and have them match me paint to the paint code. 
     Slate blue probably has shade differences, so to get it as close to possible you will need the code.  Did you get the code ?  If not this site might help to show you the color  http://www.tcpglobal.com/autocolorlibrary/ , hope this helps out.

Hi bake74,

Thanks for that link - I've known about them for quite a while.  They sell the SEM vinyl dye line, too.  If I had some idea as to what Slate Blue looked like on the dash and door panels, I'd know if SEM's blue dye color would be a good match for it.
Title: Re: Matching SEM paint to original factory colors
Post by: bake315 on April 14, 2011, 08:40:53 am
I was watching "Wheeler Dealers" last night (one of many car shows collected by my DVR) and came across an ad for a company called OER.  I downloaded their catalog, and discovered that they carried the vinyl/plastic paint in Medium Blue.  So, I'm going to give that a try here in a while.  Anybody tried/had any luck with the OER brand?
Title: Re: Matching SEM paint to original factory colors
Post by: 78 Chevyrado on April 15, 2011, 01:45:28 pm
Color matching doesn't work 99% of the time using pre-mad colors, to get it right on you'll need to have it mixed special for you with the part you want to match there too.   The new can of stuff may match the color your parts were 20+ years ago, but they won't match right up with how it is now.  they all fade, so if you're really picky, just be prepared to paint everything.   Thats what I had to do on my '78 and its been religiously garaged since day one.
Title: Re: Matching SEM paint to original factory colors
Post by: bake315 on April 15, 2011, 02:19:23 pm
Color matching doesn't work 99% of the time using pre-mad colors, to get it right on you'll need to have it mixed special for you with the part you want to match there too.   The new can of stuff may match the color your parts were 20+ years ago, but they won't match right up with how it is now.  they all fade, so if you're really picky, just be prepared to paint everything.   Thats what I had to do on my '78 and its been religiously garaged since day one.

Yeah, I was planning on painting everything anyway, since I'm completely changing the color of the truck, inside and out.  I found an original dash pad of the correct color, but I imagined it would be like you mentioned, and have faded somewhat from when it was new. It's good to know that there is a ready made source for vinyl/plastic paint that attempts to match O.E. colors, though.  I'm anxious to see how it does.
Title: Re: Matching SEM paint to original factory colors
Post by: Grim 82 on April 15, 2011, 02:42:31 pm
In 3 to 5 years (weather permitting) I expect my old blue seatbelts to match my new gray seats ;D
Title: Re: Matching SEM paint to original factory colors
Post by: Captkaos on April 15, 2011, 06:41:54 pm
I would find the color that you like and paint everything.  That is what I do.
Title: Re: Matching SEM paint to original factory colors
Post by: bake315 on April 15, 2011, 10:31:20 pm
In 3 to 5 years (weather permitting) I expect my old blue seatbelts to match my new gray seats ;D

LOL