GM White Paint Code 40 WA8554 Issues!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Wayne Pa
GM White Paint Code 40 WA8554 Issues!
So i'm doing some touch-up paint work on my 1985 Coupe A/T. I special ordered 4 spray cans of "Dupli-Color Perfect Match Automotive Paint" from Napa that were supposed to give me an exact match for the white on my car. Unfortunately, Dupli-Color's attempt at matching GM White Code 40 WA8554 was poor to say the least. The color that came out on my test area was a light cream color, most definitely not a pure white like the paint is on my Vette.
So my question is: has anyone else ever run into this problem or one similar? GM Paint Code 40 WA8554 is supposed to be a pure white, not an off-white cream color, correct?
I'm worried if I try Rustoleum's or Automotive Touch Up's automotive spray cans , I may run into a similar problem.
So my question is: has anyone else ever run into this problem or one similar? GM Paint Code 40 WA8554 is supposed to be a pure white, not an off-white cream color, correct?
I'm worried if I try Rustoleum's or Automotive Touch Up's automotive spray cans , I may run into a similar problem.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
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From: Phoenix Arizona
They had a lot of problems in the early C4's with paint fadeing, discoloring and deterioration in both their base coat - clearcoat and single stage paints. Depending upon the overall condition of your paint, you may be able to go to an automotive paint store and have them try a color match and paint put in spray cans.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Montgomery, Alabama
2017 C6 of Year Finalist
I bought a bottle of Arctic White touch up paint that had aged. It came out the very light buff color. Took it back and made sure the replacement one was current and it did match when applied. Could be that they had those cans for quite a while.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
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From: Wayne Pa
My only question as of now is: is GM White 40 WA8554 supposed to be a pure white or an off white (light cream)?
My gut instinct is telling me that it IS supposed to be a pure white and Duplicolor just messed up and I should order a can of the same GM paint code from automotivetouchup.com. Further thoughts or suggestions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
AS far as I know the GM Paint Code 40 W was only used on the 35th Anni and some Caddys. My 35th is a light cream color and as far as I can tell it has the original paint.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Merritt Island, FL
I just had some paint mixed for my white '91 ZR-1 (arctic white), I think it was WA9567. Local body paint supply store mixed it, it's a perfect match. I threw away several bottles of that duplicolor crap, which was way too cream/off-white colored.
Thread Starter
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From: Wayne Pa
As you can see from the above link, many GMs used Paint Code 40 W8554.
Interestingly enough, Saturn's 40 WA8554 is a "cream white"
http://www.paintscratch.com/touch_up...40-WA8554.html
Same website, same GM paint code, for 1985 Corvette. Different color...
http://www.paintscratch.com/cgi-bin/makepaint2.cgi
I think Duplicolor is using GM's Saturn paint code 40 WA8554, which is cream white, not Chevy's paint code 40 WA8554...
Ideas?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
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From: Wayne Pa
Also, GM paint code 40 wa8554 has been used on hundreds of different cars and is still used today according to paintref.com, which makes me think its not cream?
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Wayne Pa
Now I just have to hope that whoever sprayed it used some common sense and sprayed it with Arctic White, so it ill be easy to get...
http://paintref.com/corvette/white_corvette.shtml
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
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I believe Arctic White is GM Code 10.
Arctic White is also GM 153 , WA 9567.
Code 40 IS a creamy white.
Code 10 is more a "true" white.
I will confirm shortly which one better match's my Polar, Classic, Can-Am & Porcelain GM # 153 White painted car when I attempt to touch-up with genuine GM Code 40 and Dupli- Colour GM 153 brush touch-up paints.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Pearl White was never used on a mass produced Corvette.Ive seen one late 80s car in Pearl White but was told this wasn't a production color on alot of cars.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Montreal Quebec
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: South Haven Minnesota
first off let me tell you coming from an autobody painter ANY sort of paint touch up will NEVER match because of many factors, including old faded paint, touch up paint is a single stage process negating the basecoat clearcoat factory finish and there are way to many varients with white paint. If you were to bring your car into any respectable body shop and for example say you just wanted the rear quarter panel repainted they would tell you it will not match because they would want to blend into the door and prob the rear bumper, what I am trying to say is white is a pain in the ***.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,057
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From: Bay Shore, NY
first off let me tell you coming from an autobody painter ANY sort of paint touch up will NEVER match because of many factors, including old faded paint, touch up paint is a single stage process negating the basecoat clearcoat factory finish and there are way to many varients with white paint. If you were to bring your car into any respectable body shop and for example say you just wanted the rear quarter panel repainted they would tell you it will not match because they would want to blend into the door and prob the rear bumper, what I am trying to say is white is a pain in the ***.
White is one of those colors that will fade and be hard to match, even if you think the paint is in excellent shape. I've gone through this with 2 white cars I had. That being said, the Duplicolor should be a close match, especially once the clear coat is added. I normally get my rattle cans made with Sherwin Williams paints and so far, its been a hit every time, even 3 stage Caddy paint.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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Code 40 white is/was one of the more/most miserable colors to match in the mid to late 80's. It was one of GM's ventures using different product in different assembly plants. I don't recall how many "advertised" variants there were but I remember the "revolt" from an insurance company when I asked to be paid for the "test panels" that I felt were going to be needed for a larger job that neither I or the owner wanted to blend for a best match. In the 80's I had 3 code 40 cars and the paint was a "variant" on all three.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Palm Desert California
If you can finally figure out the proper color , I have had excellent results on my Polo Green Vette and my wife's 1967 Mercedes 230 SL by using www.automotivetouchup.com
