m38a1 paint?

1950 - 1968, M38, M38A1, M170, modifications, sugestions, and ideas, official MWO's and unofficial field mods.
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m38a1 paint?

Post by Paul pdp » Sun Jun 09, 2013 8:27 pm

Hey...doing a frame off restorration on my 53 m38a1....which was never planned but snowballed to this...anyway...when it comes to paint...I belive the color to use would be 2430od...but the exact shade seems in dispute?
I'm thinking of just matching the color to say the interior of the radiator shroud...or the interior of the headlight rear cover with is od and has an original part number...
My problem is this color seems rather dark...sort of like a brown/green...though it must be the original color...should I just paint it all this color....as I want it to be as original as possible....Paul
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Re: m38a1 paint?

Post by timboy123 » Mon Jun 10, 2013 2:31 am

I believe you are right about 2430 being the correct color for 1953. However 24087 semi-gloss looks better I think even though it may not have been used until 1956. I have a 1954 a1 and it is 24087.
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Re: m38a1 paint?

Post by Joe Gopan » Mon Jun 10, 2013 2:54 am

The M-38A1 left the factory with 2430 OD color finish. There are not many who were around to witness a factory fresh M-38A1 in the 50's it was a pleasent brownish OD color. The Jeeps usually got repainted 24087 SG OD in the first few years in the active Army due to constant use and wear and tear. Many National Guard Jeeps retained the original 2430 for 8-10 years and were sent to the support unit paint shop for a professionally applied coat of 24087.
Most opt for 24087 as it is the finish that most have witnessed or can relate to on surplus M-38A1 Jeeps.
If 2430 had been available when I built my new M-38A1 in 1975, I would have applied it.
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Re: m38a1 paint?

Post by Paul pdp » Mon Jun 10, 2013 2:54 pm

thx since I like the idea of it being original I am leaning toward the 2430D semi. However getting physical color samples elludes me. Will a place like TM9 send just color samples, or maybe a book at the library?
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Re: m38a1 paint?

Post by SFCKUNERT » Fri Sep 13, 2013 12:57 pm

Paul,
How did your paint choice come out? I'm getting ready to paint some parts as well and it's time to decide which direction to go. I'm not going for a show winner so getting what I want is more important to me than a judges score. I'm really steering towards the flatter and lighter OD green.
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Re: m38a1 paint?

Post by Marty, SoCal » Sat Sep 14, 2013 7:42 am

TM-9 sent me some pics of their 2430 semi gloss with an original color chip against a sample card with the darker, more brown 24087:
Image
Image
Image
Hope this helps!
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Re: m38a1 paint?

Post by SFCKUNERT » Sat Sep 14, 2013 3:06 pm

I really like the 2445!! Is there anybody out there who has gone with this color? If so, so you have any pictures?
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Re: m38a1 paint?

Post by halifaxgroup » Sat Sep 14, 2013 3:33 pm

The paint chip manual shown above is one of three (3) known. The owner of the one above turned down an offer of $1,800 for the manual. It took him 5 years of hard work and investigation to find this manual. Its external condition is “Fair” at best. However, since he is a friend he was kind enough to lend it to me so I could have Munsell Laboratories in CA determine the mathematical coordinates ($800) of the OD2430. The darker panel is the 1968-1975 OD24087 used by the US Army during the Vietnam War. The 1956-1959 OD24087 is a greener shade of OD, the 1959-1968 OD24087 is browner, but not as brown as the 1950-1956 OD2430. Paul
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Re: m38a1 paint?

Post by leecarr » Fri Oct 18, 2013 2:36 pm

Curious as to how you made out with your paint. The local Dupont automotive paint dealer that I have been buying stuff from for years has a special camera to match colors. I brought them an M38a1 toolbox door that had very good original paint inside. They were able to match the color I think almost perfectly but it is hi gloss. I got a can of flattening agent from them and now I have to figure out the % to add to make it to my liking. I'm not after a museum quality match. The formula is for Nason (a Dupont product) single stage urethane, I can scan it and email it to you if you are interested.

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Re: m38a1 paint?

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Oct 18, 2013 2:40 pm

If your tool box door resulted in a high gloss the match is wrong.
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Re: m38a1 paint?

Post by leecarr » Fri Oct 18, 2013 3:00 pm

I am quite sure the paint on the door is original. I don't know if the camera takes into consideration the shine of the paint, tthat is why I got the flattening agent to experiment with. Once I get it where I like it I will get enough paint for the entire project and mix it together so it is uniform. I have used Dupont paint for years and I am very happy with the quality. This will probably cost more but I would rather use something I'm familiar with. I will take a picture of the toolbox door and post it.

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Re: m38a1 paint?

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Oct 18, 2013 4:49 pm

Original paint on the door should be 2430.
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Re: m38a1 paint?

Post by tomahawk715 » Wed Nov 27, 2013 3:04 pm

On the topic kinda---those in Michigan can buy AJP Gillespie Paint at General Jims in Clare. They have the paints on the shelf--anyone who has tried to have is shipped knows how much extra it costs--almost as much to ship as the paint costs.

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Re: m38a1 paint?

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Nov 28, 2013 4:38 am

Paul has nailed the 2430.
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Re: m38a1 paint?

Post by Old Dodge Guy » Fri Nov 29, 2013 5:40 pm

My local O'reillys can mix the paint from a formula. Just go in and have them look up federal color 24087 in their paint catalog. They can then mix it up for you. It would be a Nason paint. No color charts or parts to scan, just the formula. I have it somewhere in my computer too, if they can't find it. (May take a day or 2 to find though)
They can mix the other Fed standard paints too.
halifaxgroup wrote:The paint chip manual shown above is one of three (3) known. The owner of the one above turned down an offer of $1,800 for the manual. It took him 5 years of hard work and investigation to find this manual. Its external condition is “Fair” at best. However, since he is a friend he was kind enough to lend it to me so I could have Munsell Laboratories in CA determine the mathematical coordinates ($800) of the OD2430. The darker panel is the 1968-1975 OD24087 used by the US Army during the Vietnam War. The 1956-1959 OD24087 is a greener shade of OD, the 1959-1968 OD24087 is browner, but not as brown as the 1950-1956 OD2430. Paul
What book are you referring to.....Fed Standard 545A??? Not that uncommon, it's on my desk right now. :)
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