I had the same issue with the "Beige" tone and blue body paint and went with (Cool Gray 3C) Pantone color. Might be an option for you.
White other than Cygnus White for roof top? (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Fj moneypit
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FWIW The painter advised he matched my top color to that of a 1982 Mustang. That's what I used.
I had the same issue with the "Beige" tone and blue body paint and went with (Cool Gray 3C) Pantone color. Might be an option for you.
That is some serious cruiser porn right there. I can’t stop looking....
I use Wimbledon white on my cruisers it’s a ford color but looks pretty decent on cruisers . Duplicolor has it in rattle cans grab one and check it out.
^^^^I Agree with this whole post 1000% (except where he accidentally misspelled "paint" LOL
)I painted my 40's "white bits" with the elusive OEM Shell Ivory (search that color if you REALLY want to open a can of color worms) in Limco single stage (I can get you paint codes if needed).
Shell Ivory is an even darker "tan" than Cignus, but has less of a slight "green" tint to my eye. It was so dark my paint guy who WAS expecting "off white" shot it and called me immediately thinking I would not be happy. I drove right down to the garage (see Splangy's comment about not using digital means to make color choices), and it was shockingly darker than I had expected. I compared it to all the reference I had collected, including original paint color from 2 separate bezels. I had a chance to change it and I was unsure for about 1 minute. Today, I'm really happy I kept it. I get compliments on the paint colors more than anything else on my truck. I get an "interested in selling?" note almost every time I park somewhere.
I for reals mean no offense to anyone (just my opinion remember), but nothing says non-original paint, or lazy attempt at a respray than an FJ40 with a bright white anything (cap, wheels, bezel). It does not look vintage to me. I work 8 min from the Land Cruiser Heritage museum, which makes it very easy to see first hand.
That said, I don't care if YOU want to spray it bright white, if that's what YOU like, but it is only 1/2 step better to me than painting it black or matching it to your candy iridescent painted body. It will never look factory to me and harms the vintage aesthetic (if that's what you are going for at all). If Cignus is sexy, Shell Ivory is like X-rated sexy (says the guy who painted his truck that color). Just don't spray it bright white and try to call your truck an original color. Individualism is fine, misinformation is not. (Hell, I could be wrong right now with MY opinion).
^Edited for spelling errors. Can't troll someone and then do the same thing. I've painted a spelling target on my back now
GA Architect
SILVER Star
Cygnus White is the top bezel and Wimbledon White the bottom bezel. The OEM Cygnus White was done by a Toyota Collision Center and the other is painted Duplicolor - Wimbledon White by me.
I like the Wimbledon (at least from the photo) better. I see that Cygnus green tint in the top one.
Just had my top painted (and bezel) and went with the T-031 color which is an off white offered for the later years 40s (I think for the top?) Top is on its side in the garage waiting for me to put a headliner in or I'd attach a picture. I like the color and it fits the off white feel.
bcsteel
SILVER Star
Whites also have very different looks according to the ambient light. Full sun. Overcast etc. make sure your looking at it outside and next to the rig not color swatches of white together. Full sun washes a lot of things out so whites can look similar. going too white as many have said will be a huge mistake too many people’s eyes especially to cruiser folks. I had the same dilemma on my 78 years ago. I ended up trusting that the original was a good choice and was glad I didn’t go more white. Bright white reminds me of cheap vinyl windows and horrible interior housing paint.
I used a marine gelcoat which is infinitely more durable with the fibreglass roof. The fibreglass roofs flex on a cruiser and paint eventually wont like this as much as a gelcoat.....which is why Toyoda gelcoated /sealed the tops as part of the fibreglass layup- moulding process (apparently the gelcoat helped with the top-making consistency and release from the mould) ......and why many have faired so well over 20years+ . A descent marine gelocat is rated for 20yrs in a high u.v. environment which in theory gets a bunch more reflective u.v. on water.
I went to a local West Marine and asked tons of questions and ended up spending about $180 or so on a 2 part gelcoating that i brushed on. The gelcoating is fairly thick like maple syrup and the brush strokes smooth out and are not visible. i think i did 2-3 coats as some of the curves ended up thinner. The thickness also is a tad more forgiving on the fibreglass tops imperfections and gouges. According to a local boat painter i spoke to the gelcoats can be thinned and sprayed as well.
Gelcoat has a deep lustre that the original tops have ---which would take Rolls Royce level paint layers. (i think the old
rolls were spraying something like 5 layers of primer and another 9-12 coats of paint and clearcoat to achieve the bowling ball like lustre paint jobs they reknowned for. The modern Rolls Royces are 5 layers and are around 100lbs of paint.!!! )
sorry i dont have any good top pics- but its going on 8-9years now and looks like it did on day 1. Same deep milky gloss lustre and absolutely no fade.
Color wise- cygnus white in the fender of the 1972fj55 thats had 40+years of yellowed clearcoat is about the closest color if you have an easy way to age Cygnus 40 years or so.
I went to a local West Marine and asked tons of questions and ended up spending about $180 or so on a 2 part gelcoating that i brushed on. The gelcoating is fairly thick like maple syrup and the brush strokes smooth out and are not visible. i think i did 2-3 coats as some of the curves ended up thinner. The thickness also is a tad more forgiving on the fibreglass tops imperfections and gouges. According to a local boat painter i spoke to the gelcoats can be thinned and sprayed as well.
Gelcoat has a deep lustre that the original tops have ---which would take Rolls Royce level paint layers. (i think the old
rolls were spraying something like 5 layers of primer and another 9-12 coats of paint and clearcoat to achieve the bowling ball like lustre paint jobs they reknowned for. The modern Rolls Royces are 5 layers and are around 100lbs of paint.!!! )
sorry i dont have any good top pics- but its going on 8-9years now and looks like it did on day 1. Same deep milky gloss lustre and absolutely no fade.
Color wise- cygnus white in the fender of the 1972fj55 thats had 40+years of yellowed clearcoat is about the closest color if you have an easy way to age Cygnus 40 years or so.
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middlecalf
SILVER Star
@bugsnbikes what did you use as a release with the brushed on gelcoat as it needs to cure sans air IIRC? Molds or release film are what I remember and have used, and there’s also a spray overcoat that’s handy for small repairs. Good info on your gelcoat work. The OEM color of these tops would be whatever color was used in the gelcoating at the factory. I’m surprised that’s not fully documented.
@bcsteel I’ve never understood why someone would make a chart of anything for “1961-1983” but show virtually nothing (only one color) for years 1961-1966. I own a ‘63 and a ‘65 and they both have OEM paint (under rattlecan), lol.
@bcsteel I’ve never understood why someone would make a chart of anything for “1961-1983” but show virtually nothing (only one color) for years 1961-1966. I own a ‘63 and a ‘65 and they both have OEM paint (under rattlecan), lol.
I used wimeldon white rattle cans for my transmission hump when I patched it up. It’s close, but not a good Cygnus White alternative. Definitely more beige (my whole truck is Cygnus white).
Right now I plan to repaint the truck to Cygnus white but I don’t like the lack of contrast “Cygnus on Cygnus” offers. I’ll probably go with a brighter, more true-white on the roof and bezel when the time comes (or leave the bezel black, still undecided).
Right now I plan to repaint the truck to Cygnus white but I don’t like the lack of contrast “Cygnus on Cygnus” offers. I’ll probably go with a brighter, more true-white on the roof and bezel when the time comes (or leave the bezel black, still undecided).
the 2 part Gelcoat i had been recommended didnt need to be sealed from air.. I do recall reading somewhere that the toyota topmaking process used the gelcoat sealed as the release agent and im betting those were a longer curing process.
the boat painter guy prepped his boats and sprayed them with 2-3 layers and likely used a quicker curing agent since he was spraying on verticals, the gel i used was fairly slow curing and tended to ooze /sag if i applied too may coats between cure.
the boat painter guy prepped his boats and sprayed them with 2-3 layers and likely used a quicker curing agent since he was spraying on verticals, the gel i used was fairly slow curing and tended to ooze /sag if i applied too may coats between cure.
Did the tinted gelcoat match the paint on the rain gutter? You did the gelcoat yourself?I used a marine gelcoat which is infinitely more durable with the fibreglass roof. The fibreglass roofs flex on a cruiser and paint eventually wont like this as much as a gelcoat.....which is why Toyoda gelcoated /sealed the tops as part of the fibreglass layup- moulding process (apparently the gelcoat helped with the top-making consistency and release from the mould) ......and why many have faired so well over 20years+ . A descent marine gelocat is rated for 20yrs in a high u.v. environment which in theory gets a bunch more reflective u.v. on water.
I went to a local West Marine and asked tons of questions and ended up spending about $180 or so on a 2 part gelcoating that i brushed on. The gelcoating is fairly thick like maple syrup and the brush strokes smooth out and are not visible. i think i did 2-3 coats as some of the curves ended up thinner. The thickness also is a tad more forgiving on the fibreglass tops imperfections and gouges. According to a local boat painter i spoke to the gelcoats can be thinned and sprayed as well.
Gelcoat has a deep lustre that the original tops have ---which would take Rolls Royce level paint layers. (i think the old
rolls were spraying something like 5 layers of primer and another 9-12 coats of paint and clearcoat to achieve the bowling ball like lustre paint jobs they reknowned for. The modern Rolls Royces are 5 layers and are around 100lbs of paint.!!! )
sorry i dont have any good top pics- but its going on 8-9years now and looks like it did on day 1. Same deep milky gloss lustre and absolutely no fade.
Color wise- cygnus white in the fender of the 1972fj55 thats had 40+years of yellowed clearcoat is about the closest color if you have an easy way to age Cygnus 40 years or so.
View attachment 2039090
Catching Neutral
GOLD Star
Want to really complicate it...own a cruiser that is 031. The contrast is negligible. Sometime makes me wish I had a darker color so it wouldn’t be an issue. I purchased the bezel from CCOT. Top I believe is original.
In certain lights the top and bezel look the same color as the body (031). But there are times when I can see that the top and bezel are a shade lighter than the body.
In certain lights the top and bezel look the same color as the body (031). But there are times when I can see that the top and bezel are a shade lighter than the body.
I just purchased a 78 in 031 white. Looking to get some rattle cans to paint some bits but can't find any online. Any options?
thebigredrocker
SILVER Star
I've bought 1K & 2K spraymax from Spray Paint for Cars | Automotive Aerosols & Clear Coat Paint.
2K has a built in hardener/activator so it is tough like OEM single stage. But once activated has 24 hour pot life.
They are very helpful over the phone and ship quick.
2K has a built in hardener/activator so it is tough like OEM single stage. But once activated has 24 hour pot life.
They are very helpful over the phone and ship quick.
I love a good color chart, it's frustrating to find so many differences depending on the source. Also it's important to note that these colors are for the main body panels. You have to dig much deeper to find references to color codes for other parts (roof, bezel, ashtray etc...)
Thanks for for the info! Just placed my order.
