40th Anniversary Paint Code Question

[Occulomency]

POBC - After a slight misunderstanding involving me, my 7 and a telegraph pole, the very nice gentleman at the repairers need to know the colour code for the paint on my 1998 Caterham 40th Anniversary Edition.

 

All I know it as is 'Ruby Red' but I'm sure there must be proper paint code.

 

Caterham have been helpful, but don't have the records as all their painting is outsourced (so they tell me).

 

So, anyone know or at least know where I should look?

 

Thanks.

 

Fraser.

 

Edited by - Occulomency on 17 Jan 2014 11:46:24

[ChrisC]

When I owned one I was always under the impression it was a vauxhall/GM colour, but it looks like its been debated before here with no real conclusion.

 

I think your best bet is a call to TSK.

 

Chris.

 

 

Edited by - ChrisC on 17 Jan 2014 12:07:26

[Occulomency]

Thanks

 

Caterham just called back, the colour - for future reference is:

 

GM America – BRILLIANT RED MICA – CODE 75A

 

Cheers.

 

Fraser.

[peter clarke]

Also have this, a 1997 one and was told it was a Renault or Peugeot colour! Simple solution was to go to local paint suppliers, they brought out their mobile colour testing unit and during a long and interesting chat about the car and paints they took several readings from various places and made me up quarter of a litre. Very close match, cannot see the difference. It does depend how you apply it and needs clear lacquer of course. They had 2 component aerosols for this which was rathe handy, although they are one time use of course, but saves the hassle of setting up the spray gun. Had the option of water or solvent base. Keep a small can and the formulae of course, but this is reference to their pigments so not of use elsewhere.

[Roger Ford]

I suspect your paint will have faded somewhat over 15 years, so getting it made up as Peter describes might be a better bet than getting the original colour.

[Occulomency]

I tend to agree.

 

Fortunately we are discussing a small area of damage, but I've checked with them and they wanted the original colour so they could more accurately match.

 

Thanks.

 

Fraser.

 

 

[Rob Walker]

My first 7 was a 40th anni, the other vital thing to know is that the base coat is a light pink. Failure to use the correct base/primer will result in the colour turning a browny ruby red as others have found. TSK will advise on the correct base coat.

[Occulomency]

I'll pass that advice along.

 

Again, many thanks.

 

Fraser.

 

 

[peter clarke]

Interesting information on the primer Rob, I know they do this on rare occasions. I used normal grey and it was ok, but then a different formulation, a mix of 10 ingredients.

[BBL]

Pardon the hi-jack, but a related question, please:

Is the 40th anniversary red from 1997 the same shade (paint code?) as the 40th anniversary red from 2013? I ask because I live outside the U.K., so I don't regularly see the 40th anniversary cars running all over the place like you may see.

Been curious about this though, as on the computer screen, they appear to be a very similar red.

[Ozzy]

Just go to Tony.

 

I've got a 40th, and about 2 years ago had the nosecone, bonnet and both front wings resprayed by TSK. Perfect match, you really can't tell.

 

Oz.

[Occulomency]

Thanks for all the advice, I've got Tony at TSK's details and passed them on to the repairers.

 

BBL - I don't think it's the same colour. the one new 40th Edition I have seen looked a bit more scarlet.

 

Fraser.

 

Edited by - Occulomency on 20 Jan 2014 10:47:35

[elie boone]

If a colormatcher makes a color sample for a bodyshop he will always leave a part of the sample unpainted to show the chosen primer, primer is always painted in 2 layers. Then he will try to match the color in 2 layers, but if the color is very transparant he can divide his sample in 3 parts, showing 2 layers, 3 layers and 4 layers this to aid the bodyshop in determing how many layers he need to apply in order to get a good match on both sides of the body.