1954 Cj3b paint

[Alan merrill]

I’m trying to figure out what the actual color of my jeep is? The only peace I have with original color is the tool box cover, I’ve taken it to a few paint shops and they tell me it’s not a big enough peace to test for color?   It’s a vary different dark gray with vary fine metallic in it??

[derekredmond]

The 1954 DuPont chip sheet shows Persian Gray Metallic, and the Ditzler and Nason sheets show Gale Gray Metallic which is similar and possibly the same.  https://CJ3B.info/Paint.html

Vintage Jeep Paint lists Gale Gray at https://vintagejeeppaint.com/shop/ols/products/gale-gray-1954

[Rus Curtis]

I’m trying to figure out what the actual color of my jeep is? The only peace I have with original color is the tool box cover, I’ve taken it to a few paint shops and they tell me it’s not a big enough peace to test for color?   It’s a vary different dark gray with vary fine metallic in it??

Derek, wasn't there another grey, called Cadet Grey, that may have been available for early '54 models?  Since overlaps happen, I wonder if Alan's jeep would have been affected by the years before and after regarding paint availability - depending on when his jeep rolled down the assembly line.  I seem to recall a grey also available in the following year but can't remember.


Alan, with reference to your jeeps' color, are you planning to pull the tub for painting or paint "as is?"  There's another place or two to look for a good sample:  The underneath of the transmission hump above the gearboxes and also all the frame mounts above the sill liners.  Another option is to request a sample to hold up against your tool box lid.

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/cj3b_bulletin_board/viewtopic.php?p=28328#p28328

(BTW, that image of the bottom of my tub shows a run in the paint going sideways.  That's original and I saw the same thing on Lawrence Wade's '55 jeep.  Proof that paint happened fast and also shows the orientation of the tub when the paint was applied.)

The body shop I used here didn't need to jump through so many hoops.  They were able to match the paint using the formula and I think it turned out real good.

Here's the only 1954 grey jeep I took photos of way back in 2003 owned by Neal Rohrke.

[Alan merrill]

Under the tool box cover is the only place left with original paint! I’ve got the jeep in pieces hanging up in garage, Napa matched it for me an it wasn’t even close?   Painted it , liked it at first but it’s not an old school color, so I’m going to try to find a better match!!

[derekredmond]

Rus is correct that a Ditzler bulletin in July 1953 listed Cadet Gray, so it's certainly possible that it was used into the '54 model year which began that month.  It's a lighter gray, similar to the photo Rus posted here.  Alan, it would be useful to see a photo of your toolbox lid, and also to know the serial number of your 3B in order to determine if it's an early '54.

Derek

P.S.  Very annoying that the blank post glitch continues, and unfortunately Alan's posts are blank for me when I'm signed in to the forum, so I have to log out to see them.  Is this also continuing for you, Rus?

[Rus Curtis]

Under the tool box cover is the only place left with original paint! I’ve got the jeep in pieces hanging up in garage, Napa matched it for me an it wasn’t even close?   Painted it , liked it at first but it’s not an old school color, so I’m going to try to find a better match!!

Yes Derek, still blank for me.  I just copy/paste for the benefit of others - just in case.

I agree, comparing the serial number to see where it falls in the timeline and yes, a photo!

Alan, you say Napa matched it.  What were they matching?  How far off was the paint that they made, too light, too dark, etc?  Also what about your windshield, was it body colored or perhaps black? 

[Alan Merrill]

Hey Derek!  Could you send me your email address an I’ll send you a picture of my toolbox cover,it’s the only piece of the original color I have. Thanks, Alan

[derekredmond]

I did send a direct message to Alan.  It will be interesting to see if we can confirm that there were some '54s in Cadet Gray.

Derek

[Rus Curtis]

Cadets like jeeps too!

(I was driving mine when I was in ROTC)

[Alan Merrill]

I didn't receive your Message Derek.  I'm also having problems uploading a photo.  I have registered a user name and password and I will see if that helps.  Any assistance on how to get a photo uploaded would be great.

[derekredmond]

Maybe the direct message didn't go because you weren't registered, Alan.  My message suggested registering, which you have done and your account has now been approved.  Try posting a photo now. 

Derek

[Amerrill54]

[Rus Curtis]

So Alan,
This is your original paint sample?  On screen it does appear to be dark.  I can't pick up on the metallic but that's just how it goes sometimes when looking at images on a computer.  We all know how big a tool box lid is, so I am a little bit surprised that you were told that's not a big enough sample to get a reading from. 

I personally think that if you were able to find a paint shop willing to provide a sample card (see the link in my earlier post), you could see for yourself which one you think is the closest match.  I don't think it would be too far-fetched to include the color codes from 53-55 and then compare how they look to each other and to your lid.   During my search to pick out my paint, every reputable paint shop could make the paint from the code alone - no "testing" to figure out the color.  We're dealing with 70 year old vehicles.  We may not always find what we're after at the first store we go to.

Have you been able to estimate if your jeep was early or late 1954?

[Amerrill54]

Hey rus!  It’s a late 54, 34689.   I tried a ppg automotive paint store an thats the place that told me it wasnt a good enough sample?  Napa said they could match it so i went with it! Big mistake it wasnt even close?  I dont know what the actual color is called,  being a late 54 I’ll look at the paint chips from 55?? Thanks for your interest.

[Amerrill54]

There is a close match in 55, Steelglow gray poly?  Is poly a metallic ?.