When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I am considering having my '72 convertible that I am restoring repainted to Ontario Orange. The painter who has done work for me before says he does like to shoot 3 stage paints.
I am in the process of doing my 71 Convertible in Ontario Orange. RM Onyk (Water based) (BASF), base coat with a Glasurit Clear Coat. I am a newbie to auto paint, but taking my time, especially in the prep. So far I have done the back side of my doors, convertible top cover and other smaller items and and am quite satisfied with my results.
Prior to June 1981, all Corvettes were painted with single stage, acrylic lacquer. St Louis didn't have the ability to do multi stage paint finishes. One of the features of the new plant in Bowling Green was the ability to do two stage acrylic enamel finishes.
I don't recall when GM first offered 3 stage finishes, but I think it was around 2000. Millenium Yellow, Magnetic Red, and 2003's Anniversary Red, along with Cadillac's White Diamond, were among the first GM tri-coat finishes.
I love Ontario Orange. I have a 71 El Camino painted Medium Orange Metallic, which is the same basic color as Ontario Orange.
Well I most say I am a little biased!! It looks different depending on how the light hits it!! This is a repaint and is a two stage. Great color, I have begun to see alot of new cars painted orange. Ike
I have a 1971 coupe that was factory Ontario Orange that was later painted over with red. I am in the process of "sanding" off all of the lacquer and then painting it with a water based Ontario orange. I love the different looks under the different light that the fine mist metallic gives.
Thank you Sir. At first I did not want to consider a "orange" Vette. But once I saw it I realized that it was a classic 70s color for a classic car. Absolutely a great color. The metallic flake also does quite a dance in the light. Ike
As soon as I saw the Ontario Orange code on the trim tag, I had to have it. My brother in law is the body/painter and he's pretty excited to be painting something other then black and red.
You made a good choice and I think I am as well
Ontario Orange, Warbonnet Yellow and Steel Cities Grey are special FIREMIST COLORS and they are difficult to get CORRECT!
If you are planning on having it judged in the NCRS you should take the time to send off spray outs to the paint judges in order to get it right... if you do not do this THERE IS A LARGE CHANCE YOU WILL BE VERY UPSET after a NCRS event.
FIREMIST SUMMARY - In the early 1960s, the Engelhard Corporation of Iselin, New Jersey, developed and trademarked Firemist paint pigments. The flakes allowed light to reflect and refract through them, producing not only a bright glittery look to the paint, but also varied hues of the primary paint color. Because these flakes can reflect and refract light, Firemist is not a metallic paint, in the truest sense of the word. A true metallic paint contains tiny aluminum flakes that only reflect light.
FIREMIST MANUFACTURER STATEMENT Engelhard's Firemist pearlescent pigments, based on borosilicate, exhibit "intense sparkling and depth in a wide range of interference effects," Rochard says. "They are engineered to deliver more chroma, color purity, brightness, transparency and reflectivity." The pigments offer a spectrum of effects to work with, he says, adding that the pigment's smooth surface and large particle size convey a "brilliant, star-like glitter."
"" Rochard says that when various grades of Firemist pigments are blended, individual colors show through due to the pigments' transparency and chroma, which counter the addition effects that "gray-out" normal pearls. The Firemist pigments can enhance the appearance of depth in coatings because the borosilicate flakes promote light penetration, he says. ""
Firemist™ Pigments Firemist™ pigments are made from discs of calcium, sodium and borosilicate, and produce truer colours, a more intense shine, better transparency and reflection than traditional pearl lustre pigments (particle size 5-300 µm).
Firemist™ is a registered trademark of Engelhard Corp., Iselin, New Jersey, USA
Firstgenaddict. Nice info, may I ask the source? You are so right very, very difficult paint to match and even worse to then to "repair". I tried to fix a nasty scratch on my headlamp top. In some light its a perfect match in others not and the same when looking at it from different angles. Of course it looks better than the scratch but!!!!!!
Someone told me that even when you pain the car, it needs to be all painted at the same time so the the pigments lay down in the same pattern if not they will reflect light differently.
My car was repainted long before me. I wonder how close they got???
In order to replicate the FIREMIST colors they have to be shot boxing the clear and color for a couple of coats.
I paint high end show cars, and have gone through the matching of a WARBONNET YELLOW 71 LT1 roadster using the NCRS matching service which lost ZERO on color, metallic, and OEM application appearance at NCRS regional and National shows.
This is a close up of the fender lip on an original paint Ontario Orange 72 LT1 which was garage kept it's entire life.
Rutile titanium dioxide coated borosilicate flakes. Offers a sparkle pearl appearance. This patented pigment creates more chroma, color purity, brightness, transparency and reflectivity than many traditional pearlescent pigments. Recommended for coloration of plastic, general industrial paints, architectural or decorative coatings as well as printing inks.
Firstgenaddict, thanks for the info and a reference photo for my library! Sorry can you clarify "boxing" I am not familiar with the term. Does that mean coming in from all four "corners"? Also what is NCRS matching service ? I tried looking it up but???? Trying to learn as much as possible!! Thanks Ike
Excellent sample. I have 72 that was re-lacquered in 1982. My color looks spot on with your sample. Often, you will find cars that are painted the WRONG orange. Ontario Orange has a slight copper to it.. like burnt orange.
Originally Posted by firstgenaddict
In order to replicate the FIREMIST colors they have to be shot boxing the clear and color for a couple of coats.
I paint high end show cars, and have gone through the matching of a WARBONNET YELLOW 71 LT1 roadster using the NCRS matching service which lost ZERO on color, metallic, and OEM application appearance at NCRS regional and National shows.
This is a close up of the fender lip on an original paint Ontario Orange 72 LT1 which was garage kept it's entire life.
The NCRS paint matching service is available to NCRS members, I sent you a PM with the man's name.
I should have been clearer... when I say boxing the color and clear -
You shoot base to cover the primer, then 2 coats of 50% base 50% clear then 1 of 25% color and 75% clear then 1-coat of 100% clear.
Base coats lay too flat and do not allow the pigments to "orient themselves in another direction other than flat"
If you observe metallic lacquers and single stage metallics under 20 times magnification you will see the metallic or borosilicate flakes are not all oriented flat, some are "standing on edge or at an angle to viewing.
Last edited by firstgenaddict; Sep 24, 2019 at 03:31 PM.
Let your painter do this thing his way...unless youre into points get the best job you can the factory finish was less than spectacular.
Dig hugger orange, a C3 would look great in that shade with white interior.
Firstgenaddict thanks for the lead and the explanation of "boxing" not remotely what I thought. Very interesting way to get the metallics to create a 3D effect.
Cuisinartvette your looking at the painter!!! Remember I am not painting the entire car but trying to match paint to "repair" some scratches and damaged areas I know it won't be great but it would be better than it is.
I am afraid I have hijacked nc c5 thread!! Sorry Ike.
Ontario Orange
Ike.