Warbonnet yellow paint
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 36
From: Jefferson Ohio
Warbonnet yellow paint
I have a 1972 LT1 that I am restoring. I am getting ready to paint the original color of warbonnet yellow.
I would like this paint to match the original paint color as close as possible.
Any suggestions in terms of paint numbers etc.
You input will be appreciated.
Jim
I would like this paint to match the original paint color as close as possible.
Any suggestions in terms of paint numbers etc.
You input will be appreciated.
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
Typically you would go to an automotive paint vendor; the paint code would appear on the trim tag in the front driver's door sill. Give your vendor that code and he can mix the paint to that specification.
In lieu of that, he should have catalogs listing all the factory paint codes and can mix the paint using that as a guide. Have fun with the painting!
In lieu of that, he should have catalogs listing all the factory paint codes and can mix the paint using that as a guide. Have fun with the painting!
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 6
From: Palos Verdes Peninsula California
According to the Corvette Black Book, the code for WY is 989.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 251
Likes: 36
From: Jefferson Ohio
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Original codes here: http://www.corvettepaintcodes.com/ Your paint supplier should be able to use the old codes to match new formula paint for you.
You can also take a painted part to your paint supplier and they can "scan" it for a match. Fuel door would be the easiest to take with you when you go.
You can also take a painted part to your paint supplier and they can "scan" it for a match. Fuel door would be the easiest to take with you when you go.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
In that era, GM/Chevrolet had a 'FireMist' option on some of the paint colors. Those paints were the same color, but had a higher metallic content and the metalflakes were larger, I think. I know that Ontario Orange was one of the FireMist option colors; curious about whether the War Bonnet Yellow was one, also. I always liked that color, but it just seemed faded-out, for some reason. If it was made a FireMist color, that would really make it "pop".
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi,
My understanding is a bit different than 7T1's concerning FireMist colors.
In 71 three of the 7 new colors were described as "special "fire mist" hues". These colors were Steel Cities Gray, Ontario Orange, and War Bonnet Yellow.
There was no "optional" level of metallic involved with these three colors. Each was available in just one formula and paint code.
Regards,
Alan
My understanding is a bit different than 7T1's concerning FireMist colors.
In 71 three of the 7 new colors were described as "special "fire mist" hues". These colors were Steel Cities Gray, Ontario Orange, and War Bonnet Yellow.
There was no "optional" level of metallic involved with these three colors. Each was available in just one formula and paint code.
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 97
From: Lake Norman, NC
Hi,
My understanding is a bit different than 7T1's concerning FireMist colors.
In 71 three of the 7 new colors were described as "special "fire mist" hues". These colors were Steel Cities Gray, Ontario Orange, and War Bonnet Yellow.
There was no "optional" level of metallic involved with these three colors. Each was available in just one formula and paint code.
Regards,
Alan
My understanding is a bit different than 7T1's concerning FireMist colors.
In 71 three of the 7 new colors were described as "special "fire mist" hues". These colors were Steel Cities Gray, Ontario Orange, and War Bonnet Yellow.
There was no "optional" level of metallic involved with these three colors. Each was available in just one formula and paint code.
Regards,
Alan
Listen to Alan. As always, he's right.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
That's not my understanding, Alan. I've seen the Ontario Orange in the 'standard' version and in the FireMist version. The hue is the same, but the appearance is quite different. Maybe others can chime in on the FireMist issue.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 97
From: Lake Norman, NC
7T1: I wonder if the different hues you've seen are due to variations in re-paint color matches? My research yields what Alan suggested. There were 3 "Firemist" colors included for 1972. The "Firemist" colors were Steel Cities Gray, War Bonnet Yellow and Ontario Orange. According to Mike Antonick's Corvette Black Book, production paint offerings were as follows:
Code Name/Description
912 Sunflower Yellow
924 Pewter Silver
945 Bryar Blue
946 Elkhart Green
972 Classic White
973 Mille Miglia Red
979 Targa Blue
987 Ontario Orange
988 Steel Cities Gray
989 War Bonnet Yellow
There are no optional paint finishes mentioned.
Seems to me that the 3 colors carrying the Firemist classification had more/larger metal flake than the traditional metallic colors. If a car was re-painted in a Firemist color but with a more traditional metallic finish (smaller flakes), it might look different than the original finish.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The 'standard' Ontario Orange had a very fine metalflake, similar to that of Bridgehampton Blue. But the FireMist OO had a denser, larger metalflake that really popped in the sun. If those three colors were always applied as FireMist colors, perhaps the 'standard' colors I've seen were re-paints done with too little metalflake???
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 289
Likes: 59
From: edison nj
As someone who ordered a 1971 Corvette coupe new from the dealer (good God I am getting old) I can safely say that Alan was correct as to the three "firemist" colors: Ontario Orange (which I ordered); Steel Cities Gray; and War Bonnet Yellow (my second choice). There was NO additional charge for these colors. There was also no "second" Ontario Orange that had less (or no) metalflake. And these three were the only colors that were "firemist". I believe I know where some of the confusion comes over getting the same color with no metalflake. If I remember correctly, in 1976 there was a color VERY similar to Ontario Orange but was NOT firemist and had no metalflake. Don't have my books in front of me to check, I am sure someone else on here can look up the colors available for 1976, believe it was called "Orange Flame" (damn I am old, can't remember either!).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,937
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From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
not to nit pick but, someone used the term " metalflake". chevrolet , and i don't think any car company ever used " metalflake" . they used "metallic" paint. and if you have ever seen a real metalflake paint job you know there is a big difference.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The difference is only in the size and quantity of the metallic particles in the paint. And, you are correct that Chevy generally used a very fine metallic element in their metallic paints. The "FireMist" colors are probably the exception to their normal practice.
I stand corrected on the manner in which Chevy implemented their FireMist paint colors. Thanks for the 'education'.
I stand corrected on the manner in which Chevy implemented their FireMist paint colors. Thanks for the 'education'.
