Anybody else having problems with vintage outboard paint?

[John Gragg]

Has anyone noticed differences in shades of paint supposed to be the same color coming from vintage outboard? Specifically the seahorse green? I’m painting my 54 QD and paint from an order probably 6 months ago is a totally different shade than paint that I received yesterday. Same primer same number of coats of paint and I’ve got a completely different shade. The newer paint that we came yesterday is a lighter shade almost a sea foam green. It’s not, but that’s kind of what it’s looking like. I sent them an email asking the question I’m not sure I’ll get an appropriate answer. I’m pretty ticked off right now I’ve got a lot of hours into these motors. It affected my CD 12 as well but I blame myself back then. I thought maybe I had a different number of coats of paint on everything. Now I know for sure. It’s the paint it wasn’t me.

John Gragg
RIverside, CA

Just starting in the hobby, please be patient.

48 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
49 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
48 Johnson TD20
49 Johnson TD20
54 Johnson QD15
55 Johnson CD12
57 Johnson RJE-19M
57 Johnson RDE-19

[MIKE SIMS]

No idea but are you comparing it to a motor that you have clear coated? Clear coat might make it look different.

[John Gragg]

Nope. Apples to apples. 3 coats, same primer, no clear. Sucks!

John Gragg
RIverside, CA

Just starting in the hobby, please be patient.

48 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
49 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
48 Johnson TD20
49 Johnson TD20
54 Johnson QD15
55 Johnson CD12
57 Johnson RJE-19M
57 Johnson RDE-19

[RICHARD A. WHITE]

You can’t mix the paint enough.. Also, While they use the same formula, ALL paint mixers do when they have it, you will never get the same shade from different batches…… So order enough paint to paint a whole motor and not more…

http://www.richardsoutboardtools.com
classicomctools@gmail.com

[John Gragg]

Thanks, but this grossly different.  I would be embarrassed to show a motor with these two different colors on it. I just got off the phone with Scott over at vintage outboard paint he’s going to see if he can figure out what’s going on.

 

Thank you

John Gragg
RIverside, CA

Just starting in the hobby, please be patient.

48 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
49 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
48 Johnson TD20
49 Johnson TD20
54 Johnson QD15
55 Johnson CD12
57 Johnson RJE-19M
57 Johnson RDE-19

[Waunnaboat]

There could be something with the paint getting darker as it sets over time.

"Outboards seem to multiply exponentially..........I find that for every finished project, there are two more waiting to be completed."

[aquasonic]

I have seen this problem both with two other suppliers. Like John’s experience, the paint colors were so far off that the issue was way beyond the minor variance of different batches to the point of being unacceptable.

These small suppliers make lots of small batches as compared to a giant corporate supplier. The more batches the greater the chance for error. I think that the owner will “make it right”.

On a positive note, I just used the Vintage Outboard Paint 1958 Johnson Holiday Bronze and I’m very happy with the color and the match. With the price of paint now, you should be satisfied.

 

Improvise-Adapt-Overcome

[John Gragg]

Well said Aquasonic. My thoughts/experience exactly. I am waiting on the replacement order I should have it on Tuesday. Scott sent me a spray out that looks like it’s probably going to match better but my big concern is when I asked why the difference and what they found out they are telling me they found nothing. I don’t know how you go from dark green to light green and back to dark green without figuring out some sort of a problem? I hesitate to continue to do business with a company that won’t admit it made a mistake. The reality is though where else can I go?

John Gragg
RIverside, CA

Just starting in the hobby, please be patient.

48 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
49 Sea King 5hp GG9014A
48 Johnson TD20
49 Johnson TD20
54 Johnson QD15
55 Johnson CD12
57 Johnson RJE-19M
57 Johnson RDE-19

[westwind]

They likely don’t know what happened.  I used to mix paint and there are several ways to make a bad batch without knowing.  Also, painting in summer and later repainting in winter can produce a different result with the exact same paint.

[Bob Wight]

Peter McDowell at North York Marine put his business up for sale a few months ago and his paint line was the first piece to be bought up by another supplier.   If you check NY Marine’s website, he now has an email link where you can contact the new paint supplier.

http://nymarine.ca/

Bob

1937 Champion D2C Deluxe Lite Twin
1954 Johnson CD-11
1955 Johnson QD-16
1957 Evinrude Fastwin 18
1957 Evinrude 3022
1958 Johnson QD-19
1958 Johnson FD-12
1959 Johnson QD-20

“Every 20 minute job is only a broken bolt away from a 3-day project.”
"Every time you remove a broken or seized bolt an angel gets his wings."

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John Gragg

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