CCKW Paint codes.

[Matt]

Just to follow up on Jack's post about paint here are a couple of paint codes from the CCKW manuals I have.

TM 10-1105 CCKWX Maintence Manual,July 1941 gives the trucks finish as "Olive Drab-Flat.Dupont number 1071-019"

TM 10-1147 of August 1941 gives the same information as above,however...

TM 10-1563 of July 1942 gives the finish as "Olive Drab-Flat.Dupont number 1071-050"

Obviously there was a change in the shade of OD used on CCKW's but I can't find anyone who can match a shade to the old Dupont number,I called Dupont and they couldn't help as their codes have all changed.

As an interesting bit of trivia,Dupont were not a GM company BUT they were GM share holders at the time of WW2.

If anyone has a way of matching these numbers to an actual colour that would be great.

[armydriver]

Thanks, that is good historical information.

[joel gopan]

Paint will start arguments, most owners are too young to have witnessed WWII trucks in their original fresh paint. I am lucky, as I grew up in the 40s in the surplus business, and played at the National Guard Armory as a youngster. Many owners use a shade that they percieve as correct, and are usually wrong, but happy. The best paints for the money here here in the US are made by Gillespie, it is an Alkyd Enamel. 319 is available, but remember one thing, that in WWII it was not a weatherproof paint, it was put on thin over a thin coat of primer, and had very little in the way of resistance of crrossion. The WWII 319 finish was quick to show use, its surface was powdery, and would in short time exhibit scuffs, have dark splotches from greasy or sweaty hands, and smooth spots in the area of door openings and fenders. 319 as made today looks nice. I prefer to use the late WWII and post war semigloss shade of OD as it is pleasant to look at and easier to maintain a uniform finish as it does not show all the handprints and wear points. I buy mine from Army Jeep Parts, it is his "WWII Green", and is the semigloss color late WWII Jeeps, and many Korean era vehicles left the factory with. You will get as many answers as there are collectors on the topic of paint. I am amused at the owners of (Jeeps) as they all seem to have the original color figured out, as "it was found" on ther Jeep. You will not believe the shades that they arrive at, but "must be original" as it was found on "their" vehicle. Paint is a topic that you can argue over forever. Best thing is to go to a lot of shows, and pick what pleases you. I see a lot of nice shades of OD used by collectors in England and the Continent, it will not be hard to pick one that suits you.
Joel

[UK Jack]

Nice one Matt and nice one Joel.

Great topic.

Was there ever a desert colour? as I am rather interested in doing something different.

Cheers.

Jack.

[Matt]

Hi Jack,

I have never seen a WW2 picture of a CCKW in desert paint,although I'm not saying it didn't happen!

Joel,I thought this would be a can of worms!

Matt.

[joel gopan]

Everyone thinks they are right, bottom line,there are colors that are accurate, some are lucky to be able to zero in and ignore peer pressure and paint their vehicles authentically, there are some who have gone thru a lot of work to restore their vehicle, the paint is the icing on the cake, and they may have realized that the color is wrong, but will not give in and will argue their reasoning to the end. The best way, and not all of us are able, is to visit major collections, or go to military museums around their country and witness what the real experts use. We havemany well done collections. Many, once they see the WWII shade, do not like is, as it easilly shows wear. My thoughts are that if my vehicle was to be retired and just parked forever, I would paint my CCKW and MB in the original finish. I have one gallon of original WWII GI Issue 319 Glycerol Pthalate enamel (another term for alkyd enamel). I got it from Lawrence Nabholtz, in early 70s, and have shared it with George Baxter(AJP) and Jim Gilmore. It has not spoiled after all these years. Do ti the environmental concerns, and the evolution of paint over the past 40 years, the color shade can only be approximated, as the end result of the pant is the sum of its ingredients,and they have changed over the years. The automotive paint stors now only mix Acryllic enamel, I would rather stick with the mail order paints that dealers offer, they are still the old Alkyd enamel(with more modern ingredients), and my favorite is the Gillespie Brand. I do not know what else to say. There are some brands to avoid, but I will not touch that one.
Joel

[Tim Baltz]

Joal is right on when it comes to paint type, use the mail order stuff. I used the Gillespie brand, they have spary cans that are great for small parts when you need them and don't have alot to paint, They match the shade of the gallons. I used 33070 on my 42 and when I got my seat covers from WEE BEE in the early green leather-like they matched perfect. I will say that 33070 dose fade and show wear fast, but that's what makes it look authentic to me. just my two cents Tim

[bobc]

I know I'll get hammered for this but I got my paint from Home Depot,when I was putting the bed on my halftrack I removed a panel from under the dash,took it to them and they mixed a gallon of thier cheep paint,the top of the frame still had the dark olive that hadn't had much sun exposure and the paint was a dead on match,I wanted to paint the bottom of the bed since I wouldn't be able to once it was bolted down,it looks really good,then to top it off I used my airless paint gun. Poor folk have poor ways!