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Have GM paint codes changed?

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2014 8:49 pm
by jgwilliamson
Hi,

I have been trying to source a aerosol for my 1977 Viva 1300 GLS and I am getting real confused.

The paint code on the manufacturers plate is 4YW which is "Coppertone Starfire". This is super as the car's (original) colour is copper metallic. When I got it resprayed 10 years ago the paint shop used 4YW to get a perfect match.

Fast forward to today and every time I ask a factor for some 4YW to be made up they keep coming up with a very bright yellow. What's going on here? Has something changed in the GM paint code database in the last 10 years?

"Confused of Aberdeen"

Re: Have GM paint codes changed?

PostPosted: Tue May 13, 2014 11:42 pm
by 1972nail
From my knowledge Vauxhall used 4YW for Tasmin Orange in the early 70's then Bedford Cargo Yellow in the mid 70's and then Coppertone in the late 70's.

Good luck sorting that one out with your paint supplier! :roll:

Re: Have GM paint codes changed?

PostPosted: Wed May 14, 2014 7:07 am
by jgwilliamson
1972nail wrote:From my knowledge Vauxhall used 4YW for Tasmin Orange in the early 70's then Bedford Cargo Yellow in the mid 70's and then Coppertone in the late 70's.

Good luck sorting that one out with your paint supplier! :roll:


Thanks for the info...that would explain it..... :)

Re: Have GM paint codes changed?

PostPosted: Thu May 15, 2014 8:00 am
by StefanM
vauxhall paint codes must be used with the year of manufacture.

Re: Have GM paint codes changed?

PostPosted: Thu May 15, 2014 2:35 pm
by 103E
Given that it was resprayed 10 years ago even if you get the correct paint it will probably be slightly off due to your paint weathering over time. Far better to take your car, or a piece of it, along to a paint factors and have them sample your paint and get an aerosol made from that sample.

Re: Have GM paint codes changed?

PostPosted: Fri May 16, 2014 12:19 pm
by Paul Dawson
I was in our local paintshop the other day when a chap came in with a bonnet (white) trying to get paint to match. They scanned it with some sort of electronic device which gave them the details needed to mix paint to match.

It might be worth seeing if a paint specialist near you has the same bit of kit.

Re: Have GM paint codes changed?

PostPosted: Fri May 16, 2014 1:44 pm
by jgwilliamson
StefanM wrote:vauxhall paint codes must be used with the year of manufacture.


Thanks for the info StefanM, I have now got an aerosol made up which I'll test to see how close it matches.

Re: Have GM paint codes changed?

PostPosted: Fri May 16, 2014 1:46 pm
by jgwilliamson
103E wrote:Given that it was resprayed 10 years ago even if you get the correct paint it will probably be slightly off due to your paint weathering over time. Far better to take your car, or a piece of it, along to a paint factors and have them sample your paint and get an aerosol made from that sample.


Thanks for that 103E. I've got an aerosol made up which I'll test out. If that's not a match I'll go with your suggestion.

Re: Have GM paint codes changed?

PostPosted: Fri May 16, 2014 1:49 pm
by jgwilliamson
Paul Dawson wrote:I was in our local paintshop the other day when a chap came in with a bonnet (white) trying to get paint to match. They scanned it with some sort of electronic device which gave them the details needed to mix paint to match.

It might be worth seeing if a paint specialist near you has the same bit of kit.


Cheers Paul, WIll do.

Re: Have GM paint codes changed?

PostPosted: Sat May 17, 2014 8:25 am
by Graeme
Paul Dawson wrote:I was in our local paintshop the other day when a chap came in with a bonnet (white) trying to get paint to match. They scanned it with some sort of electronic device which gave them the details needed to mix paint to match.

It might be worth seeing if a paint specialist near you has the same bit of kit.



It's called a spectrometer. Most bigger paint suppliers have them. I have one at work but it's around £5k worth of kit. Can be a life saver though for cars that have been painted before in not the perfect colour match.