Database of Modern Paints for Classic Guitar Colors [Duplicolor, Krylon, Rustoleum, etc.]

[GilmourD]

In my search for paint colors for my Jazzmaster project I've been wondering what modern paints are pretty good matches for classic colors, be they Fender, Gibson, or other. Then it dawned on me that this is probably something that could be contributed to as a community and shared for the next time somebody's wondering "Where the heck do I find a good Lake Placid Blue at a place that sells Duplicolor???".

So, my idea is that I'm going to start this out as a Google sheet but paste the table here in the actual post. I'll have columns for the classic color name, its originator, and a column for each paint vendor to put in their part number/color code. For instance, from what I've seen on here, Duplicolor Bahama Blue BGM0533 is pretty close to Lake Placid Blue.

If there's any colors you'd like to add or any changes you think should be made, please post below, and give me (us?) as much info as you possibly can.

Hopefully this can take off and be a really useful resource for the DIY guitar community!

Below is the table as it stands now.

[GilmourD]

As you can see at this very moment all I have is LPB being Bahama Blue.

I'll start adding info as I find it or it's contributed in this thread.

[MattK]

AWESOME idea. Should there be options for “aged” versions or is that too subjective?

[Embenny]

This is Duplicolor Universal Black Metallic (BUN0090) on my Jaguar, and I think it's an excellent substitution for Charcoal Frost Metallic. It was sprayed by fellow forumite, will.

[GilmourD]

AWESOME idea. Should there be options for “aged” versions or is that too subjective?

Well... I know there's been discussion of red-based colors being the only ones where the actual color coat changes whereas everything else is yellowing of the clearcoat. Having good options for an aged-looking clearcoat for each paint type is probably a good thing to add.

[GilmourD]

This is Duplicolor Universal Black Metallic (BUN0090) on my Jaguar, and I think it's an excellent substitution for Charcoal Frost Metallic. It was sprayed by fellow forumite, will.

Got it! Thanks!

[copacetic]

Duplicolor makes several metallic greys that, to me, make better substitutes for CFM. Their charcoal grey metallic comes to mind.

Ive used duplicolor quite a bit when i only needed a small amount of paint. The cans can be frustrating to work with but all in all its solid product and compatible with nitro clear coat.

Their various metallic reds make a great Candy apply red depending how light or dark you want it, but buy a lot because this color of their paint builds extra slowly. Also some darker blue metallic variations if you want a darker LPB. Their Wimbledon White is a great oly white. Some of their greens/teals look a bit sherwood-y but not quite there, maybe with some tinted lacquer over a blue-er color, it could be convincing. Moreso a lot of British Racing Green type colors. They make several metallic golds and beiges that can be used for things like shoreline gold, firemist gold. (not so much Aztec) They also of course make tons of silvers, pick your favorite.

Always keep in mind you can totally change the way paints look by spraying tinted clear on top. blues can be greened out, reds can be tamed/oranged up a bit, whites yellowed/browned, etc. Get creative with it

[GilmourD]

Duplicolor makes several metallic greys that, to me, make better substitutes for CFM. Their charcoal grey metallic comes to mind.

Ive used duplicolor quite a bit when i only needed a small amount of paint. The cans can be frustrating to work with but all in all its solid product and compatible with nitro clear coat.

Their various metallic reds make a great Candy apply red depending how light or dark you want it, but buy a lot because this color of their paint builds extra slowly. Also some darker blue metallic variations if you want a darker LPB. Their Wimbledon White is a great oly white. Some of their greens/teals look a bit sherwood-y but not quite there, maybe with some tinted lacquer over a blue-er color, it could be convincing. Moreso a lot of British Racing Green type colors. They make several metallic golds and beiges that can be used for things like shoreline gold, firemist gold. (not so much Aztec) They also of course make tons of silvers, pick your favorite.

Always keep in mind you can totally change the way paints look by spraying tinted clear on top. blues can be greened out, reds can be tamed/oranged up a bit, whites yellowed/browned, etc. Get creative with it

Do you happen to have any specific color codes that I can add to the sheet?

[ShortyMedlock]

A GOOD automotive paint store can mix accurate colors from vintage GM colors.

Some no longer have formula books dating back that far but most can computer scan a color from a sample.

My local shop can do SOME but the paint specialist there can't seem to figure out how to mix what I need with today's formulas. Her predecessor had no issues with doing that..

[GilmourD]

A GOOD automotive paint store can mix accurate colors from vintage GM colors.

Some no longer have formula books dating back that far but most can computer scan a color from a sample.

My local shop can do SOME but the paint specialist there can't seem to figure out how to mix what I need with today's formulas. Her predecessor had no issues with doing that..

I think we're missing the point of the thread here.

It's what currently available paints in spray cans get close to or nail what we're looking for. It's for those who want to paint a guitar without having to buy a compressor and spray equipment.

[jimboyogi]

I used Duplicolor Inca Silver topped with Duplicolor Clear Gloss top coat on a guitar. The silver has a lot of blue in it, it's a long way from actual Fender Inca Silver - I once had an AVRI Inca Jag and the paint colour was quite a pure silver where the greened top coat had chipped off.

I'd consider the Duplicolor Inca Silver closer to Firemist Silver, not as blue as Ice Blue Metallic.

[ThePearDream]

I consider this Duplicolor Avignon Blue Metallic (BHA0905) to be a good match to Ice Blue Metallic.

[ShortyMedlock]

A GOOD automotive paint store can mix accurate colors from vintage GM colors.

Some no longer have formula books dating back that far but most can computer scan a color from a sample.

My local shop can do SOME but the paint specialist there can't seem to figure out how to mix what I need with today's formulas. Her predecessor had no issues with doing that..

I think we're missing the point of the thread here.

It's what currently available paints in spray cans get close to or nail what we're looking for. It's for those who want to paint a guitar without having to buy a compressor and spray equipment.

These pro paints can be custom mixed and loaded into an aerosol. I'm doing one right now using PPG OMNI single stage in a Honda metallic purple color. $22/ per can.

[GilmourD]

I used Duplicolor Inca Silver topped with Duplicolor Clear Gloss top coat on a guitar. The silver has a lot of blue in it, it's a long way from actual Fender Inca Silver - I once had an AVRI Inca Jag and the paint colour was quite a pure silver where the greened top coat had chipped off.

I'd consider the Duplicolor Inca Silver closer to Firemist Silver, not as blue as Ice Blue Metallic.

Good to know. I wonder if anybody else has used the Duplicolor Inca Silver?

Got any pics?

[GilmourD]

I consider this Duplicolor Avignon Blue Metallic (BHA0905) to be a good match to Ice Blue Metallic.

Man... Your guitars always give me a flutter... My wife worries that I'm having a heart attack but it's just love for inanimate objects. More often than not if I'm muttering "Good lord, that's hawt..." under my breath it's either a guitar or a car, and that's definitely applied to some of yours. LOL

Have you used any other Duplicolor stuff that was close to classic colors? I know that orange metallic you used was something altogether different (from The Guitar Paint Guys or something, right?).