Bill Hirsch vs Seymour Cadillac Blue Engine Paint

[Jason Edge]

There was discussion on another forum thread about the Bill Hirsch vs Seymour Cadillac Blue and I ordered 3 cans of the Seymour paint and did a side by side paint test today in nice sunny, low humidity, no wind weather using both paints.

Either I ordered the wrong paint or in my eyes the Seymour paint is way off as it is quite a bit lighter and more blue-blue than the original paint.

For the test I used two primed engine valley covers. The one on the left was painted with Bill Hirsch 1949-1976 Cadillac Blue and the one on the right was painted with the Seymour 98-53 Cadillac Blue paint.

Looking at the example original piece (the extended compressor arm of the cylinder head outlet pipe that usually runs considerable cooler than the core block) below the first side by side comparison picture, the original color was darker and had a tinge of teal (blue green) in the color.  The Seymour paint also seems much thinner and believe it would definitely run easier if painting valve covers or other parts with vertical sections.

For those that think the Seymour is close that's your prerogative but I feel I've just wasted $40 on 3 cans of this stuff.  For anyone that wants a deal on the Seymour paint email me at jasonedge@nc.rr.com and will sell all 3 cans  including 2 new ones and one only used enough to apply 2 coats to valley cover for $15 + s/h.  The cleaned, primed and painted 1949 to 1967 top engine valley covers are also for sale for $35.   Your color Choice! LOL

Here are the pictures.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Looks like no contest.

BH is the clear winner in this Pepsi challenge.

[Jason Edge]

When I sprayed it I was seriously thinking I ordered the wrong paint but went back to the site and double checked and it is the only Cadillac Blue they offer. I think I now know why I might see some restored Cadillacs with a blue pushing toward the Ford Blue but not quite that light.  The Seymour is a very pretty color....but is not a close match from my experience of pulling in thousands of parts for the last 16 years.

[Jeff Wilk]

Thought i heard at some point that BH bought the rights to the color code for the engine enamel when GM discontinued it and as such is the only source for the correct blue

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Thought i heard at some point that BH bought the rights to the color code for the engine enamel when GM discontinued it and as such is the only source for the correct blue

I doubt anyone can claim ownership "rights" to any color; however the right to label it "Cadillac" blue is probably an entirely different matter.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

I fully agree with the previous posters.  Looking at the valve covers side by side,
the Bill Hirsch blue is the clear winner.  As already stated, the Seymour blue is
too "blue" and the wrong shade.  No contest.

I've used it on several cars and was very pleased.  It also doesn't run easily (levels
out nicely) if you use proper spray techniques.

Mike

[Dan LeBlanc]

It's not just me then.  My results were the same.

[Walter Youshock]

YIKES!  Now THAT'S a color difference!  They're not even close!  I think Ford blue would be closer.

Eastwood also makes a Cadillac blue:  http://www.eastwood.com/ceramic-engine-paint-qt-cadillac-dk-blue-1949-76.html.  I might have bought a can of it years ago.  I'll have to look...

[Chris Conklin]

Hirsch being the correct color aside; I've used it with a brush and a rattle can and the paint application is amazing. Fantastic stuff to use. If house paint went on as well as Hirsch's paint I'd paint my house a different color every year. 

[Walter Youshock]

I've always been impressed by BH coverage.  One of the nicest spray paints I've ever used.  BUT, I did get a can once that went bad.  The paint dissolved something in the valve in the can and it wouldn't stop spraying.  It was like a bug bomb.

[Belgium1958owner]

Hi,

What's the reference of the correct Cadillac blue, for the engine ?
for 1958 ?

Thanks.

[Bill Young]

I believe the Bill Hirsch Blue to be about as close as anyone can come. I have a quart can of it and I would swear by it. On other forums it has been compared to what is called " Death Car Blue " this reference being to the engine color of a 1959 Cadillac SeVille coupe that a gangster was aparently killed in when the Car was new and the authorities held in storage for decades as evidence. People who have access to this Car use it for authenticity verification.
Sincerely , Bill Young

[55 cadi]

I have heard of color "rights" as one questioned.  They are trade marked
There are companies not related to automobiles that have rights to colors to prevent copy cats or counterfeiting, so I'm sure a big auto industry can as well..it's all in the amounts of the mixture of colors that make up a specific color,  to come close companies will be a minuet amount of mix off to not be liable but still have a very close color.   

[JoeKarasinski]

I'll be ordering paint for my 60 pretty soon so I'm wondering should I get spray cans or 1 or 2 quarts. I have a spray gun. Is a quart enough or should I get 2?

[Bobby B]

Joe,
  Hi…. Nothing but Hirsch for over 30 years. Quart can, spray it non-thinned, epoxy primer below. Will last you a REAL long time. One quart is not enough to do it right, especially if you're also painting the trans. Get it all shipped at once so you don't pay double and have to paint "scared".  Good to have some extra on the shelf anyway for touch-ups and accidents.       Post some pics when done. Good Luck!
                                                         Bobby

[35-709]

Hi,

What's the reference of the correct Cadillac blue, for the engine ?
for 1958 ?

Thanks.

Cadillac Engine Blue is the same for all years 1949 through 1976.

[Belgium1958owner]

Thanks.

I have find the paint # ... it is 243212, by BASF

[Dan LeBlanc]

I'd be very interested to see what it looks like once applied. 

I've used Hirsch with good results, but the colour is still slightly off.  The blue on the underside of my 61 is still nicely intact, so I may buy some, try it, and compare.