Texas442

I'm getting ready to paint some SSII wheels for a 1970 442. Looking for input on the correct shade of the Argent Gray to use. I know some of you have done a lot of research on this, so please post the paint code in PPG, Dupont, and RM Diamont if you know them

Also, I know the digital photo shades can't be trusted, but if you have a close up photo, then please post it here.

Below is a photo I took of an OCA best in class. It appears a bit dark but I'm not sure. The 2nd photo shows 2 other wheels in slightly lighter shades:

442much

In the second picture the one on the car is correct...or more correct than the first. In the first picture it's too dark. I know this because mine are original and have never been touched and they resemble the one on the car in the second pic..

Jamesbo

Here's one

I believe I bought the paint from Year one or Fusick's [I can't remember, it's been a while]
Remember no clear coat

junior supercar

I don't have the formula with me as it's at home, but I had it mixed up in PPG. It came out on the dark side of the acceptable spectrum as the "correct" shade does vary. But it's basically like the loose rim in the second photo.

Allan R

Ken, I gotta go with the others on this one. There's no question in my mind that your car's SS11 wheels are original and lighter color. But that is 1976. Reason for my choice for the darker color is based on this photo that I "borrowed" from the GM photostore showing a 1970 442.

53216918_pr.jpg?t=1257909363

The color is darker looking. It tends to match the photo of the best in class 442. I don't know that the pewter "metallic" is correct for the darker shade of argent though. Someone must have the paint code to confirm....

442much

Allen, you might be right. I haven't touched my wheels so it's possible that they've faded over the years. But the wheels in the first picture seem too dark. Even the Hurst wasn't that dark and the picture you "borrowed" looks closer to mine than to the nice 442 in the first shot. IMO

2blu442

I believe the spare I got in my 1970 442 has the correct factory color on it. The car sat in pieces for many years before I got it in 1985. It also still has a Wide Oval tire on it. I've buried it somewhere in the garage but if I can dig it out I'll take some pictures and post them. John

442much

Heck of an idea. That should do it. I'm too lazy to go look

Allan R

I agree and in no way was suggesting that yours weren't right. But the lighter ones on the second picture looked more like the metallic silver that's on my SS111s. BTW are yours "metallic"? They don't appear to be,(and I'm not if they should be or not) but pics are hard to tell. I really love that pic of your car at the Great Divide. Almost as much as this one

2057807_4_full.jpg?t=1257911161

Between the 2 of us, your car sure gets around. You drive it. I'll post more pics of it. It's such an awesome looking car with an incredible history. Funny thing is when these first came out, I couldn't really get used to them. Now, I see them in a different light and really appreciate the styling.

442much

Allan, I know you weren't suggesting that that the colour of my SSII were wrong. Besides,as I said over the years they could have faded. I doubt they faded very much because the spare is almost bang on. Ha Ha, it would be difficult for them to be wrong since it was Oldsmobile that painted them last....33 years ago. When I drove the car as a daily driver, I had put mags on the car and were going to sell the SSII's but never got around to it...thank goodness. So the mags got winter duty and these were stored.

I don't have the shine on mine that I see on some cars so I'd say they are not metallic. The troublewith my car is that even on the 73-77 registry,it's very difficult to find my body style with SSII wheels. Most have SSIII's.

In the garage picture they almost look chromed, but I think in the Great Divide picture they look like they do in person. I haven't painted them because I have trouble finding the correct colour and they are not that bad.

junior supercar

I just looked at the can I have, PPG paint code looks to be 32939.

stevengerard

Mine are repainted, can't remember where I got the paint from but the can is from "The Motor Co" in East Bangor PA. I will tell you that my rims are much darker than most (just like the first image you showed) but then again I see more 1970 Oldsmobile's with the rims painted body color than painted with a version of argent silver. I'll check tomorrow for the number but I actually found the matching powder-coat color. I did one rim with powder-coat and another with the paint - could not tell the difference so they are all powder coated. - I can't find a close up but can send you some shots from a distance until I can get a close up later this week

Texas442

Good discussion. I've always the wheel color on Ben's W30. Anyone knows if it is close enough to being correct?

July172007upload161.jpg

Bens71442W-30leftprofile5-23-06.jpg

junior supercar

this is correct. I believe The Parts Place may sell this paint as correct for Oldsmobile. Whether they do or not, the one they sell (or did a few years ago) specifically states Chevelle on the label. It's way too dark for Oldsmobile SSII from 68-70

2blu442

OK, my wheel is kinda dirty but I washed off part of the rim and pulled the trim ring off. It looks closer to Ken's 1976 wheel than the other photos. I took these pictures under an overcast sky. If we could get half a dozen other guys who have an original wheel I think that would be a good thing. The best chance of getting the right shade is to pool as much information as we can and let Texas442 go from there. My 2 cents.

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P1010254-1.jpg

P1010251-1.jpg

2blu442

I just remembered, I have some 1968 wheels too. Attached is a couple pictures of one that I believe is original. It's a little bit lighter than the 1970. I've got several of these and they're all the same shade. So... maybe the mix was a little different over the years? These pictures were taken in the same lighting, just 15 minutes after the 1970's. John


P1010258.jpg


P1010259.jpg

442much

I'd say this is more correct than the first picture of this car. I know it's the same car with the same wheels, but this picture looks more correct because of the light and looks very similar to John's Wide Oval rim.

I believe that the wheels on the Aegean Aqua 442 at the beginning of this thread are too dark unless there are better pictures of it somewhere else IMO. The Bittersweet? car above is very nice and the wheels look good.

stevengerard

here is an image of mine, the powder coat color is anthracite

Allan R

zzzzzooooooooommmmmm! Right over my head. I can't even see the pic! Did you forget to attach it?

stevengerard

still trying to, won't seem to post pics right now UGH!!!!

Yellowstatue

I have '68 and '70 original wheels also and they are lighter and these wheels are not glossy even when new...

69Rman

Here are a few pics I just took of what I believe is an original 1969 Wheel. It was the spare in my car when I got it.
The first two pics are in regular daylight, the third I tried using flash in the shed where the wheel is.
They look very light to me.






Duane

Texas442

Here is another shade which I like:

Cameo White

In the product information (assembly) manual I have for 1969 (dated 6/17/68), section O page 180 refers to an argent (code 302) for the color below the body side and fender moldings on the 34200 and 34800 series models. I don't know if this is the same argent for the wheels or not. Unfortunately, they don't further define this code for the various paint vendors listed.

They also mention that the brake drum outer surface is to be painted code 384 when the P05, N66, or P37 wheels are specified. They don't further define this color code either.

If anyone knows more about these codes, maybe that can help solve this question.

As an aside, my wheels are towards the darker side of the colors shown in the pictures in this thread.

1969w3155

Fusicks wheel paint was a very good match to the original SSII that was in the trunk of my '69.

70Post

What that means is a black paint on the faces of the drums when the styled wheels are used. Better to see some black through the holes instead of rust color.

Allan R

X2 I think that's as close as you can get. What paint color and brand did you use? I have a set of SS11s that I want to paint over the winter.

Texas442

Actually, I only provided the bare wheel and took the pictures. 70Post has done most of the research and came up with a top secret formula to shoot this test wheel. We've had a serious of meetings the last few weeks to re invent the wheel..Uum I mean to re-create the correct shade/formula. Will keep you posted once more wheels are painted.

Allan R

Well you're in good hands, I know that. Looking forward to prying the secret of the holy grail out of you guys. Hope your Turkey day was good! 3 football games? How could it be anything but good?

Yellowstatue

I don't think it will take you all winter to paint one set of wheels!!!

Texas442

Here are photos of original SSII wheels on a 1970 convertible that a friend bought from the original owner.
All 5 wheels including the spare have the original SSII paint still on them.

DoubleU30

Does anyone have info on this procedure. Was it brushed on? Sprayed? Any reference pics available?

TenMidgets

Interesting thread here. As an fyi, Specialty Wheel seems to be going with the darker shade on their wheels. Or is that just cause its a Hurst model?

http://www.specialtywheel.com/wheel-...-69-hurst.html

oldzy

Out of the pics posted in this thread... which one(s) are closest to original like paint? There was no glossy surface at all... not even a slight gloss/sheen?

I had a few rims done and they apparently added a 'reducer' IIRC. Not the best pic (lighting/flash etc.) but they came out like below (they are #14 Silver Pewter Metallic). There is a very very light gloss to them. I am wondering how close they are.

DocOldsW30

Well, guess I've got to stir the pot on this otherwise dead link from two years ago...boo hoo. I need answers!

I'm 3+ years into my rotisserie restoration on a 1970 Olds W30 442 painted in Platinum. Can anyone on this site correctly correspond with the proper GM Paint Code#s for my set of now-Osphoated "14 rims all OEM, I believe Argent Gray is correct GM monicker but need code#s for Dupont please?

junior supercar

PPG, in the DDL line, 32939

1969w3155

The Eastwood/Fusick paint was a good match to my '69's original spare SSII wheel.

DocOldsW30

Thanks for the PPG #, now does anyone know the correct Dupont code?

1969w3155

It goes both ways, if you don't like the free help, go elsewhere.

bccan

Just another color blind retard checking in here.

I have perused my vintage Acme & Dupont Books. They do not show any chips or mention of argent in any shade or variation although it obviously existed in exterior versions as light, medium and dark @ various stages of GM's past.

2 exterior metallic colors are in the range but the metallic would have to be greatly reduced or eliminated from a mix. Code 18 (Dup # 5427) would be to the dark side & IMO slightly lacking a brown component, code 17 (Dup # 5113) looks very good for the light to middle of the color range again considering a probable reduction of metallic. Keep in mind that these were single stage metallic mixes & the flake is relatively muted compared to today's 2 stage metallics.

There are 2 interior semi gloss colors that closely approximate the range & do not contain metallic. Dup # 9632 medium grey & Dup # 9633 dark grey.

I have a pint of the PPG # 39239 & it looks pretty good as drips on the can but have not painted a wheel with it. I tried to cross that # over in my Glasurit (BASF) computer & the cursor just stared blinking blankly back at me. I had hoped to double cross back over to a Dupont # but no dice.

There are a couple of pics of legit looking wheels in this thread that can evaluated.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...frame-off.html

Don't know if I wasted people's time but thought I would offer what I could on the evidence trail.

Don't judge the color of my wheels in pics, it's a tinted Isuzu color that I like better than the legit color.