Paint Color/Code Question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Elk Grove CA
Paint Color/Code Question
New to the forum and a first time Corvette owner saying "hey". Recently purchased a "used" '06 that had only 972 miles on the clock when I test drove it. As close to showroom condition as a used car can be and still smells new inside. Couldn't pass it up.
I'm puzzled by the paint code. I'm seeing code 80U on the glovebox sticker which tells me Monterey Red. I recently ordered some touch-up paint to fill one small nick on the front bumper. The dealer ordered paint code 80U. What was delivered was paint code 80 with the name "Red Jewel Tintcoat" on the bottle. The parts guy says that code/name is one and the same as Monterey Red, but I'm seeing a slightly lighter color when I filled the nick on the bumper. I realize that touch-up will rarely exactly match due to many factors, but am just trying to make sure that I have the right paint with the slight differences in name and code. Several websites seem to imply that 80 and 80U are one and the same.
For anyone else who's dealt with this color, is that how you understand the naming and coding differences? thanks!
I'm puzzled by the paint code. I'm seeing code 80U on the glovebox sticker which tells me Monterey Red. I recently ordered some touch-up paint to fill one small nick on the front bumper. The dealer ordered paint code 80U. What was delivered was paint code 80 with the name "Red Jewel Tintcoat" on the bottle. The parts guy says that code/name is one and the same as Monterey Red, but I'm seeing a slightly lighter color when I filled the nick on the bumper. I realize that touch-up will rarely exactly match due to many factors, but am just trying to make sure that I have the right paint with the slight differences in name and code. Several websites seem to imply that 80 and 80U are one and the same.
For anyone else who's dealt with this color, is that how you understand the naming and coding differences? thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 5
From: Nevada
Can't comment on your specific color but it is very common for GM touchup paint in many different colors to be sold under a name different than the Corvette marketing name for that color. So the parts guy probably isn't pulling your chain.
As far as matching, if I remember correctly your paint is a clearcoat, and it is unlikely that the base color will match perfectly all by itself without a coat of clear over it.
Other than that, make sure that you are shaking the bottle enough, but I am sure that you tried that already.
Best chance for a closer match is to put a dot of clear on it.
As far as matching, if I remember correctly your paint is a clearcoat, and it is unlikely that the base color will match perfectly all by itself without a coat of clear over it.
Other than that, make sure that you are shaking the bottle enough, but I am sure that you tried that already.
Best chance for a closer match is to put a dot of clear on it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,415
Likes: 198
From: Wilkes-Barre Pa
yes red jewel is the same. I have 3 little bottles of that touch up paint each from different vendors and none match. Clearcoat doesn't help either.
Last edited by MARSC6; Apr 15, 2008 at 11:59 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 82,175
Likes: 1,319
From: McKinney TX
St. Jude Donor '21-'22-'23-'24
Check the Bowling Green stats on the 2005 vette. What's the name of the color you see beside the 80U RPO code?
http://www.bowlinggreenassemblyplant...VetteStats.pdf
http://www.bowlinggreenassemblyplant...VetteStats.pdf
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 35,617
Likes: 167
Tech Contributor
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
NCM Ambassador
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Monterey Red is the marketing name, red jewel metallic is the paint name. Just like Lemans blue is Luxo blue metallic and machine silver is Lt. tarnished silver metallic.
You got the right paint. There is no distinction between 80 and 80U they would be one and the same.
You got the right paint. There is no distinction between 80 and 80U they would be one and the same.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 623
Likes: 0
From: Elk Grove CA
That's kinda what I expected based on prior experience with paints and codes, but thought I'd make sure. Most of the color difference seems to revolve around the high metallic content of the touch-up paint making it appear lighter since it reflects more light than the factory paint around it. Shaking less or more doesn't seem to affect it much. At least it's not in a real conspicuous place on the car.
Thanks guys!
Thanks guys!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 0
From: The Villages Florida
Same thing with Machine Silver. Ordered it from the dealer, they used my VIN to be sure and the delivered paint was called Tarnished Silver. Same paint is used on several models under different names.
