Have GM paint codes changed?

[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"

[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!

[jgwilliamson]

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!

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

[StefanM]

vauxhall paint codes must be used with the year of manufacture.

[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.

[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.

[jgwilliamson]

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.

[jgwilliamson]

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.

[jgwilliamson]

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.

[Graeme]

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.