Paint codes

[mille]

As I'm in the process of a full restauration of my 1964 230 SL I have been searching for a while for DB colour codes and colour charts. As far as I understand the only silver grey metallic colour for the Pagoda was a DB180 Silver grey metallic. However, I haven't been able to see the colour on a colour chart and especially not in comparison with the more recent Astral silver and Brilliant silver metallic colours for DB models. Does anybody know where to find these silver metallic colours for comparison? I fear that the original DB180 is too dark - I really like the light Astral and Brilliant silver metallic colours, but realise that they are not entirely original for the Pagoda(?) Another matter is the black colour in the trunk area and the room for the soft hood - does anybody know the exact colour code for this colour? And the sill covers are also black - does anybody know the exact colour code for these?

Thanks

Finn
1964 230 SL, manual, EU model
Denmark

[Ed Cave]

Finn:

You can find samples of the various colors online but the actual color is not going to be very accurate. I suggest narrowing down your options, then going to a local auto paint supplier, the place the body shops buy their paint and have them mix a pint or two for you. For about US$20 I got two pints of the actual MB paint colors(mixed per the correct specification) and made my decision based on that for the body color.

For 'trunk black', see this thread...
http://sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=2634,trunk,paint

You can pretty much get all of these answers using the SEARCH feature on this forum.

Good luck with your restoration.

Ed Cave
Atlanta, GA

1964 356C
1971 280SL
2002 SC430
2004 A4 3.0

[mille]

Thank you Ed for your useful info- good idea to buy some samples from a paint shop!

/Finn

[Ed Cave]

Finn:

From the home page of this forum you can select LINKS and then MERCEDES PAINT COLOR CHIPS to start your research. Another link, provided below shows the colors (with chips) available for almost any car back to the early fifties. I can't attest to the information provided on this site but it seems pretty accurate except of course the color chips, which WILL NOT be true representations when viewed on a video monitor.

http://paintscratch.com/


Ed Cave
Atlanta, GA

1964 356C
1971 280SL
2002 SC430
2004 A4 3.0

[Douglas]

You should also keep in mind that colors will often change over time. For example, the clearcoat in silver-grey metallic 180G will often yellow with age.

180G was also used on the W 198 Gullwing, so you may want to refer to pix of those cars as well for reference. Pix of silver Gullwings are pretty easy to find.

Douglas Kim
New York, NY
280 SL #016220

[mille]

Thanks for all your advise. Especially the 'paint scratch' link seems useful.

Finn
1964 230 SL, manual, EU model
Denmark