Healey Paints

[bighealeysource]

Hey all,
Trying to figure out the best way to find paint codes for
my newly acquired '61 BT7 and what better place than here.
It's Healey blue with white coves so trying to come up
with the Healey blue codes for the typical paint mfg's
out there. Or better yet, does anyone know if a good
auto paint store can somehow "match" paint similar to
what Home Depot/Lowe's can do for household paint ? Since
there is no way to know for sure exactly what color code
was used for my new toy, it could be some other version
of Healey blue from another make and I'll end up with
cans of paint that don't match. Seems like the technology
for interior paints should be available for auto paints.
Thanks for the usual expected great help.
Regards,
Mike

 

[Cutlass]

I'm no pro on this, but having just been through the same exercise with my blue/white BJ8, I can give a few tips:
1. The paint codes are not hard to find; any experienced shop will be able to help.
2. Review threads here, there are many.
3. No two "Healey Blue" Healeys will be identical.
4. When you pick what you think are the colors, get the shop to mix up the formula and completely spray out samples on sheet metal panels, as big as you can get. Don't rely on small pieces of sample paper.
5. Look at the sprayed samples in all types of light, including sunlight.
6. If you know a similar car you like the color of, compare your samples to it and see if they are sufficiently similar to make you happy.
7. Don't hesitate to ask the shop to change the color until you are happy.
8. There is endless discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of base/clear coat. There is no one right answer. I'd pick the one your chosen painter is most used to working with.
9. You're probably going to pay a small fortune. Be picky. Inspect the "finished" job with a fine eye. You will find imperfections your painter missed or intentionally overlooked.
10. Get a firm price and delivery date.
11. Understand that your car will not be ready on that firm delivery date.

Good luck.

 

[mjobrien]

If it's any help I did post the BMC color charts....

https://www.flickr.com/photos/seanachie/2441126708/in/set-72157603749518637/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/seanachie/2441126696/in/set-72157603749518637/


They are a good starting point on the codes for your body shop.

I would also add to the great list above is to select a shop that you can visit often. During prep, spray and post finish you want to be able to walk around the car/body to look for areas that ned to be corrected prior to delivery and final payment.

Make a list of any areas that you want them to address prior to handing them the project. I find a good list is worth a 1,000 arguments....

Best of luck,
Michael.