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Tom G.
Visitor
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2013 - 07:04 pm: | 
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Assuming my GRAY Model U is a 1924 model, what would be the correct paint color? Anyone have a paint code? Thanks. |
Richard A. Day Jr.
Senior Member
Username: richardday
Post Number: 1041
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 09:24 am: |
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In my opinion their is no known correct dark green color for early
Palmer Bros engines made between 1895 and about 1912 when the switch to dark gray was undertaken. Again we have no precise dark gray color for engines made by Palmer Bros. or the successor company, The Palmer Engine Co. between 1912 and 1957.
We do know that from the 1920s until about 1957 the paint was
bought from Baltimore Paint. Baltimore Paint was bought out and its records destroyed in the late 1950s. The dark gray paint was bought in 55 gallon drum lots and no precise color chip was ever specified or expected. The color of the few existing new old stock Palmer parts that are painted dark gray is a very close match with Valspar Porch & Floor enamel "DARK Gray"
From about 1957 to 1973 when The Palmer Engine Co closed its doors the best match with the green on existing engines with seemingly original green paint is X-O Rust, Safety Green sold in TRUE Value stores. The few known engines sold after 1973 by successor companies seems to have been a Ford Blue.
It is suggested that a Dark green such as Hunter Green in a Polyurethane Enamel would be a good choice for engines made prior to 1912. It is made by General Paint & Manufacturing Co. and sold in True Value stores. It should be kept in mind that this color is only a guess and any choice of dark green would be just as good.
Red was not a Palmer Bros. or The Palmer Engine Co. color as Red was Lathrop's color. Lathrop was their principal competitor.
There is no known existing evidence that primers with different colors were ever utilized on any early model or any early vintage engine at least up until WWII. It is quite likely that fillers were used to cover cosmetic imperfections in casting. It is likely that even this practice ceased during WWII. It would be interesting to know if any post WWII production show any evidence of this cosmetic practice.
It is known that some Palmer Engine Co engines of the period post 1949 to 1971 seemed to have been primed with an orange shade primer. Most of the Palmer engines of the period 1949 to 1971 when Palmer ceased production where conversions or automotive, truck and tractor engines therefore the original makers primer would probably have been used. Palmer would then use their color on the final product. |
Richard A. Day Jr.
Senior Member
Username: richardday
Post Number: 1042
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 09:43 am: |
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Sorry guys I saw Gray model U and I assumed a gray Palmer model U. My comments obviously don't apply to GRAY made engine. Guess I am losing it but what the hell it has been a great ride. |
Tom G.
Visitor
| | Posted on Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 01:39 pm: |
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Richard, Thanks for the very informative reply on the Palmer engine Company.... it makes me want to go buy one now that I know so much about them, ha, ha. Don't feel bad....I can relate on the memory lapses. Thanks, Tom |
Ernie
Senior Member
Username: ernie
Post Number: 1605
Registered: 01-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 03:35 pm: |
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From what we can figure out they were black
At least my 1922 New Old Stock "U" is black |
Tom G.
Visitor
| | Posted on Thursday, January 10, 2013 - 06:36 pm: |
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Thanks! As I was wire wheeling off rust, I seen traces of what I thought was black, but thought it could have been primer. Black will be purty
if I get the brass shined up. |
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