FB Dash Paint colour

[rebecca60]

Hey guys
Does anyone know what the correct colour and type of paint should be for an original FB dash??
I have to respray my dash and I need help please.

GAZ

[Aussie Bob]

Hi Gaz, 585-9963 (Clinker Grey)

You would need to ad some flattening agent to the paint, to dull it off.

Steve

[DOLLER]

Steve was only one color used?? Hmm pretty sure my is blackish!

[rebecca60]

Hi Gaz, 585-9963 (Clinker Grey)

You would need to ad some flattening agent to the paint, to dull it off.

Steve

Thanks Steve
The original dash dash was quite black.
Is "clinker grey" actually close to black in colour or could there be more than one colour as Doller says??

GAZ

[rebecca60]

Steve was only one color used?? Hmm pretty sure my is blackish!

Thanks Doller & Steve
I just found this quote from Rosco some years ago.....It explains all I think.

"I am applying acrylic paint which is sold by Eastern Auto paints in Bayswater, Vic. as Clinker Grey - they have the GMH mix code for it and it is supposed to be the paint used on our dash - it isn't - maybe the colour is correct but the finish isnt' - it's sold as a gloss acrylic. I would like to see it with a matting agent, this may bring the hue closer to what some of us still have left on the dash .

It does (to me) however come up a treat in the engine bay and having a dark nuetral hue, when blocked back, buffed and polished affords advantage to be taken of shiny alloy/chrome/stainless fittings without the dust sensitivity of black.

I am of the opinion, in answer to your original question, that some shade of black/grey satin type finish was used - as to whether it is acrylic or nitro-cellulose I am unsure, suffice it to say that it is most likely one or the other as it does not react when oversprayed using acrylic paint containing tolulene and keytone thinners.

I also believe that somewhere in the FB series the General made the switch from nitro-cellulose to acrylic - if you check the paint codes of vehicles within that range you will find that the latter acrylic numbers are prefixed by a 585 (Dulon).
Somewhere on this site is a list of paint/trim codes - alas it does not identify engine bay paint.

I'm fairly confident that if you wished to maintain conformity to original, you could drop into a reputable auto paint supplier (one which the tradies use) and they will most likely not only identify the type of paint but also the colour - or at the very least match it.

frats,
Rosco"

[Finny]

I remember reading this and Tim's comments.
I'm about to paint the dash and went searching for this info.

Tim, can you expand and explain - leave the "gloss of the gun".
Do you mean spray further away or faster, or with more a dusting cover.
As opposed to laying down a normal thick and slower deposit.

[Bluehaze]

An old painter who's been restoring old Holdens for many years suggested GMH black mixed with grey primer. I did this with the green FB.
It greys down the black and flattens it out nicely. I don't know how correct correct colour is, but compared to my factory dash in the EK, it looks pretty good by eye. Have a look at Wang. I'll try to find out the ratio before I set off for the nationals.

[Finny]

Thanks.
I'm not going to Wang, but look forward to seeing the photos when everyone returns.
I'm not painting original, so as long as its close I'll be happy.
This may be better as I think I already have some GMH black and possibly some grey primer.
If you have a guide to the mix, that would be great.
If not I'd probably try 70 Black /30 primer or up the Primer to 50/50.
Just looking to get the original satin look, not shiny gloss.

[Finny]

Local piant specialist suggested white instead of grey primer.
And the Clinker Gray is a Gloss.
Logic was that GMH Black is not designed for exterior use in direct sunlight, and neither is primer.
I wouldn't want to have to repaint the dash, its so much easier while I have it all apart.
In testing so far, the GMH black doesn't seem to like mixing with the other paints.
It does but it takes a while. Haven't used any thiners yet, so I'll try that tomorrow.

[Finny]

Did a little experiment on getting an original look without paying a motza for Clinker Grey.
Motospray have a "satin black" and mix a little white and you get a nice original looking dash colour.
All acrylic paints so no issues down the track.
Needed to vary the white levels several times to get it right.



Did several samples.


Still has a nice smooth but satin look. A lot nicer than the dull "flat" paint, and without the Gloss reflection and glare.
Next stage to actually put it on the dash.

[Finny]

Thanks Tim, I couldn't get trade price, but it was 3 x dearer to get 1 litre of the clinker Grey, and that was still going to come out a gloss, unless I added a flattener, add extra cost again.
$69 for Clinker Grey, $22 for Satin Black (off the shelf) and they gave me a small can of White for nothing.
Happy to hear if anyone can get a litre of Clinker Grey (in Satin) for around $20 even up to $30.

There is still a lot of stuff I need to finish my wagon. As you know some of it can be quite expensive.
It's all the little costs that seem to add up to a very expensive project.

[bootlegger]

I think you will find that you dont need flattening base in the colour. I reckon that the factory would of just sprayed the clinker grey off the gun and then over the years it flattened off.

[Mick Jagger]

I thought it was the same colour as the engine
well mine will be