Paint Color Matches - Source for Automotive Paints Shipped to You

[Lane Shirey]

My eventual goal, is to provide a source for standard colors used on fans, mixed with automotive paint. 
 

I have a local source in York, PA that I’m working closely with to color match common fan colors. They have a semi-retired guy who’s been mixing paint and color matching for 40 years, and darn is he good.  I had 2 colors matched today and I think they’re spot-on. He even matches the color’s gloss to what an original enamel paint job would have been.  He matches colors for model train collectors, concours auto restorers and custom cycles. I was the first person to drop off fans for him to match. 
 

Here’s the situation. I have an account with this company named AFCA. The company contact info is listed later in this post. Anyone can call them and they will ship this paint to you. Of course you will pay them for the paint plus shipping.   All you need to tell them is the color that you want to buy and they will ship it to you plus the other components needed. I make NOTHING from this venture and they normally charge for custom mixing but are waiving it for the AFCA and only ask for your sale of the paint. They will not give you the color formula, and the color match ONLY works with the paint listed next. It can’t be mixed into an acrylic enamel, for example or it would have to be a whole new color match. So please don’t ask them.  
 

These color matches ONLY will work specifically with the PPG Essentials ESSS series of Polyurethane.  This is a single stage polyurethane paint, and requires a hardener and activator. Pot time is about 2 hours when mixed.  It hardens to a workable degree in about 24 hours, but then is very difficult to scratch . Unless it has had a “flattener” added it’s a 6:1:1 ratio, and if the paint is anything but full gloss, it’s 8:1:1.  I like this paint, it’s easy to use, and it gives great results if you know how to operate a paint gun and have the right equipment.  
 

You will need an HVLP gun and compressor for best results. I use about 20psi entering the gun. I have an Iwata gun but usually grab my Harbor Freight detail gun and it gives great results.  You will also need a proper respirator and protection to keep it from your eyes and skin. The hardener has cyanide compounds, so it should not be breathed or get on your skin. This is pretty much the same with all auto paints .  So there, I said my personal protection speech. 

 

And the disclaimer : I make no guarantee to the color match. As we all know, colors vary from the manufacturers, even on the same fan, and all fans have some degree of fading.  These color matches are from under a tag, or on the underside of a fan, so they should be very close to a typical new color as they would have looked-not the faded color.  Your results may vary. Please don’t complain if they don’t match to your liking. Both the paint company and I are solely doing this for the benefit of the club. 
 

The company is BAPS Auto Supply and Paints

2770 Lewisberry Rd.

York Haven, PA 17370

717-767–6544. Ask for Justice, she is the manager and tell her you want to order paints listed in the AFCA account. Use the color names shown below as they’re listed that way in the system and are custom color formulas. 
web: bapspaint.com

They have other locations in MA, MD, and VA, so I suppose it’s possible to call the York store to place the order and pick it up elsewhere but I’m not sure. The other locations would not have access to the formulas unless you originate the order at the York, PA store. 

As I have different colors matched, I’ll post them on this thread.  
So far they’ve matched the following colors and they’re ready to purchase:

“GE Brass Bell Green”(same as 2 star) available in 100% gloss and 75% gloss like orig enamel (Better match than Rustoleum Charleston Green)

“Vornado Fan Green-early” (used on “Vornadofan” and jailcage era fans) available in 65% gloss as original. Ask for 100% gloss if you want it. This is the earlier green/grey color, not the later green/blue color (Hope to have the later colors soon) 

Emerson Silver Swan  Bronze ( this is like a metallic root beer color)

Currently working on :

Emerson Golden Jubilee Vanilla Off White

Late Vornado Green and Grey

Edited January 26 by Lane Shirey

[Korey Kreitman]

Formula for PPG custom mix to match GE green fan color from under the tag of a AUU.  This is DBC base coat.  I painted this Two Star with it.

 

Edited January 26 by Korey Kreitman

[Lane Shirey]

8 hours ago, Korey Kreitman said:

Formula for PPG custom mix to match GE green fan color from under the tag of a AUU.  This is DBC base coat.  I painted this Two Star with it.

 

Thanks Korey. Just a note, that this color match formula shown only works with the exact type of paint Korey mentioned. For example if you want another brand or type of PPG paint, the formula will be different. 

[John Landstrom]

Been doing a similar process here in Washington at a local paint shop that deals mostly with automotive folks and custom mixes paints for paint guns and they’ll put it in pop cans as well.  
 

Now, I haven’t been going after matching original color as 99% of my project fans don’t have much of the original paint left.  I’ve been going after car paint colors that I’d like to use on each fan.  
 

I like the fact that I can get it in spray cans.  I really didn’t want to invest in all the supplies needed to use a spray gun.  (My compressor isn’t big enough to sustain enough air flow so it’ll have to be replaced, then I’d have to buY the gun, hoses, dryer filter, etc, etc)

On my next visit I’ll have to inquire about matching some original colors for ordinary folks like me who don’t have professional auto painting supplies.  

Edited January 26 by John Landstrom