Author Topic: Manual Transmission Casing Color  (Read 4037 times)

RobSirg

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Manual Transmission Casing Color
« on: June 06, 2017, 12:19:05 »
Hi All,

(asked this question elsewhere but I think it is better suited here)

Does anyone know what the original colour (and finish) was to the 4 speed manual (standard) transmission case / housing?

Mine is a very pale green.

I found an old post where someone also described it as "Light Grey with a hint of Green" and Dr. Benz described it as "Army Green". (which Army?)

I'm even wondering if this Pale Green was the finished colour or a primer / undercoat?

Anyway - if someone could provide something more definitive I would appreciate it.

Regards,
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

Benz Dr.

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Re: Manual Transmission Casing Color
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2017, 13:20:47 »
I use an etching primer that's very close to the same color.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

RobSirg

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Re: Manual Transmission Casing Color
« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2017, 22:21:41 »
Many thanks - I received a similar response elsewhere so l am comfortable with this.

Rob
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

ja17

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Re: Manual Transmission Casing Color
« Reply #3 on: June 07, 2017, 15:10:57 »
Rustoleum "sage green" is close.
Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio
1969 Dark Olive 280SL
2002 ML55 AMG (tow vehicle)
2002 SLK32 AMG (350 hp)
1982 300TD Wagon turbo 4spd.
1963 404 Mercedes Unimog (Swedish Army)
1989 flu419 Mercedes Unimog (US Army)
1998 E430
1974 450SLC Rally
1965 220SE Finback

wwheeler

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Re: Manual Transmission Casing Color
« Reply #4 on: June 07, 2017, 15:30:22 »
Just for future info, this is what I sent:

As has been tossed around on this site, PPG DPLF 40 epoxy primer is about the same green grey color and has a satin gloss to it which is also correct. It supposedly can be left not top coated although I would check with your auto paint store to be sure. I have used it many times when painting cars and is a top quality primer. Ain't cheap though. As opposed to spraying with a gun, you might try using a Preval sprayer https://store.preval.com/collections/preval-sprayer/products/preval-sprayer?gclid=CPjr9JqzqdQCFQUoaQod0tAD5g You might need to thin a bit more to get a good spray pattern.

Wallace
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

RobSirg

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Re: Manual Transmission Casing Color
« Reply #5 on: June 09, 2017, 04:38:44 »
Good info Wallace - I'm keen to try that preval application on something.

Cheers

Rob
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

wwheeler

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Re: Manual Transmission Casing Color
« Reply #6 on: June 09, 2017, 13:52:29 »
The Preval works but is limited to the viscosity of the paint. The DP40 should be thin enough with a bit of reducer. You just have to try it and a thicker paint will just end up with a much more course finish. The other trick for a good spray pattern is to put the aerosol portion in warm water (100 to 110*F). That slightly increases the pressure of the aerosol to push the liquid out. That is the trick I use when I am spraying with a rattle can on cold days. Works every time.
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

Shvegel

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Re: Manual Transmission Casing Color
« Reply #7 on: June 10, 2017, 02:57:21 »
DP40 is not UV stable.  I painted my AC unit outside my house with it 5 years ago and it is slightly lighter and it now shows less gloss but under the car it should hold up well.

As for not topcoating an Epoxy "Primer" I once asked a builder of some of the finest yachts in the world what they topcoated an Epoxy bilge primer with and he replied "Who cares?"

wwheeler

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Re: Manual Transmission Casing Color
« Reply #8 on: June 10, 2017, 04:53:26 »
If you are a perfectionist, you would use a clear coat on the DPLF 40 that was "deglossed" to 60% using a flattener. I have done it myself and the results are good.   
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6