38 Codes Can you help?

[Thom Wells #21841]

My 38 is 38-7533

Body: 210
Trim: 4903
Paint: 6W


Can you help me deciphr these?

Thanks a million,

Thom #21841

[Barry M. Wheeler #2189]

Paint #6 (dont know what your w is, is Pelham Grey, which is nearly black. Im sorry, I dont have the upholstery codes.

[Thom Wells #21841]

Where can I find paint chips for Pelham Gray?

Thanks so much,
Thom

[Bob Hoffmann CLC #96]

Thom, my opinion is the 4903 is actually a SO[special order} which wipes out the paint & upholstery codes. The 6W means its a 6 wheel[side mounted] car. You need to buy the invoice from Cadillac. Bob

[Thom Wells #21841]

Wow!

I have just ordered.  This is quite a special car.  I know it was in New Orleans since the mid 50s.  I am very anxious to restore it correctly.  Hopefully the research will get me started correctly.  I want this to be just right.  My first car was a 1938 75 Limo, from the Ringlings boyhood home and mine of McGregor, Iowa.

[Doug Houston]

Dont be too optimistic about locating formulas for any paint color for our vintage cars. Color chips that were supplied by paint companies in their manuals were only a close guide to your color. Their formula was what got you your proper color paint. Thats still true for paint charts today.

Today, the mixing colors are all history, even though you may have the formulas from the past. Im currently having my 41 Cadillac convertible repainted. I painted it in 1969, and bought the original color, mixed from  Rinshed-Masons formulas. Today, we have had to choose a near-match from paint chips to re-do the car. The original colors are simply not there.

If you can find an accurate sample of the color you want, you can do what I have had to do, and find a close match.

[John Binder]

Dear Thom,

Some time ago we had to repaint one fender of an older repaint on a 60 Cadillac  we were pretty sure it was not the exact
orignal color.  We went to a Carquest store in the area that supplies local body shops This particular one was a DUPONT dealer. They brought out a small han held scope and took several Shots of the existing paint to get an averaged reading,
back inside this found the correct formula (made up of I believe 6 tints in small amounts) This matched PERFECTLY, turned out it was an IHC Truck white.  

To match an original color you may want to lightly hand compound a spot or two on the inside of the trunk lid or behind somewhere (interior trim panel ?) the sun has not faded it.
To remove any dirt or oxidation, before scope-ing it and have them mix you just a small test batch first.

Good Luck In the GREAT RACE ! send updates to the Board if you can !

[bill henry]

it is called running a prophet on the paint . most autobody supply shops can do it.

[Dennis Buchholz]

Go to Autocolorlibrary.com  They have the codes and the paint.

[Thom Wells #21841]

Thanks a million John,

We will keep everyone in touch!


Thom Wells