Western Auto color?

[rfeagleye]

If you're painting the whole bike, I bet you could match the color on the fork steer tube to something over the counter at an auto store.

Or, if you want, I can work with you to find something that matches one of these blue colors on the NOS Murray paint sticks I have. I got these from Gordon Cycle a while ago, thought they would come in handy some day

 

[AndyA]

So I am restoring a 1963(?) Western Auto Cosmic Flyer for a 72 year old woman. Her father got it for her when she was 10 and 2 years later he died. The bike is complete and very straight. Unfortunately, her husband, for reason I cant understand, painted over the perfectly preserved original paint AND chrome. I'm going to strip it down but I need to know roughly what color Western Auto or Murray used? It was the teal/turquoise color.

Brother Evil:
What a thoughtful project! As far as decals, the only trim I see in your photos is on the rear rack. That simple design could be easily redone with masking tape. Lay some mylar, acetate, or frisket film on the rack and trace the pattern. After painting the turquoise, use the pattern to position masking tape and paint the white trim. Have fun!

 

[EvilKnievel88]

So I want to let everyone know I have chosen a color and I'm going with the bright metallic aqua from the 1994 Corvette.. I went to a local auto body supply shop and he pulled up the code and made me a half a pint. We were able to match it pretty darn close to the original color, which I did find a few samples underneath the rear rack where it clips to the mounting brackets. That area was untouched. And I'll tell you what, that color in the Florida Sun is gorgeous. Thank you for posting that color information, that was extremely useful.

I'll post some pictures in the morning of the comparison with the colors. And also, that is a very good idea about tracing the rear rack decal.
I'm working on getting the silver paint off of the handlebars because apparently that got spray painted as well unfortunately. And I need to find a new white Troxel seat.

 

[EvilKnievel88]

Here are the pictures. With a little more time to look at it. It is a few shades more blue than the original color. I might step it down a little bit on the blue but it's a very good starting point. The few pictures are in the sun and the others are in the shade.

 

[GTs58]

What type of paint is that, Acrylic Enamel?
I've been doing paint work for quite a few years and trying to match a color can be a challenge sometimes. When testing your sample paint you actually have to apply it the way the original was applied, especially a metallic. That color looks really close to me in the pictures, but brushing it on or fingering it on with unreduced paint out of the can is not going to give you the same results with spraying it on over the correct base and with a similar thickness.

 

[EvilKnievel88]

This is true. I still think its a bit too blue. So this picture shows the contrast the best I think. Its a closer match in the sun but in the shade you really see the difference.

 

[GTs58]

I donno, I think the color is there and close enough. Metallic is a semi transparent paint and if that was reduced and shot over a silver base like the original was, it would be damn close. JMO though.

 

[GTs58]

Here's an old paint story. I needed a camper shell for my 77 GMC with the main color being Russet. After I picked up a new shell that was a fiberglass gel coat white I decided to paint it the Russet verses the light beige trim color. I bought gallon of the Russet acrylic enamel paint and started shooting it in the back yard, in the shade. I shot two thin coats over the white and it was still an orange and needed more paint. I took a break for lunch and when I started back the shell was completely covered with nats or small flys. I needed to rent a paint booth or do something to finish the job but I needed it done quickly. It was the rainy season here and I needed the shell to cover all my trim tools I was using for work. So I called a few body shops to see if they could or would they paint a camper shell. Macco was the only place. I put the shell back on truck for a few days until Macco could squeeze me in. I went to drop off the shell and then asked them if they wanted the Russet paint code. Mind you, the shell was orange at that time, not russet. The said no, they didn't need the paint code. When I went back to pick it up I bout crapped my freaking pants. The shell was Orange, not Russet! I was pissed to say the least. They said lets put it on the truck to see what it looks like. I said no! It's not even close so why go thru all that BS of setting it on the truck. I argued with them for while and then said put it on the truck so you can see. After all that they said we'll repaint it. Great, and I asked again if they wanted the paint code. Again the said no, we don't need it. The second time they F'd it up again along with damaging the rear lid. I went ballistic to the point where they said we'll have to call the police if you don't calm down and pay us. So I wrote them a check, loaded the shell and went home. After I got home, I called the bank and stopped payment on the check.

 

[EvilKnievel88]

I donno, I think the color is there and close enough. Metallic is a semi transparent paint and if that was reduced and shot over a silver base like the original was, it would be damn close. JMO though.

My neighbor owns the body shop supply store and builds vintage remote control model planes, boats, etc. Very talented guy. He agrees it needs a dash of metallic green in it. Hey, I dont pretend to know anything about paint lol. I can rebuild a small block but Im not a body guy. Lets see what he comes up with. I will agree with both of you it is just about there.

 

[GTs58]

My neighbor owns the body shop supply store and builds vintage remote control model planes, boats, etc. Very talented guy. He agrees it needs a dash of metallic green in it. Hey, I dont pretend to know anything about paint lol. I can rebuild a small block but Im not a body guy. Lets see what he comes up with. I will agree with both of you it is just about there.

You’re lucky to have a good neighbor like that! If he can drip you a drop of yellow/gold in your can of paint that would be cool. I didn’t think it would be worth having you pay for another full half a pint to bring the color a smidgen different.