Has anyone found a spray can paint close to what is called Robbin egg blue that was used on the early Jensens? I've bought a few different shades of blue that I thought was close, but once its painted just doesn't look right. Maybe the only way to get it right is to take one of my original engines and have it mixed for spray gun. Thanks
Randy, one thing to keep in mind is that paint colors change with time, typically fading and becoming lighter due to oxidation and light bleaching. The color Tom Sr. saw when the paint was freshly applied back in the day, is not likely the exact same shade that you see today. As close as you can get, but just a shade darker, is likely the best bet for matching this old paint if you are doing a total repaint. But if you are just doing a spot touch-up, then you are quite correct in that you may need to get something special mixed to match.
Best of luck with finding what you need, and if you do find something you think is truly suitable, perhaps you'd be kind enough to share it here.
Randy, I have had good luck taking an engine casting into ACE Hardware and having them color match using a device that shoots a light beam at the paint, then gives paint tech a formula to make up a quart (or more if needed). I brush this on with a disposable sponge brush and get very good results virtually equal to the original...whatever state of fading it might be.
Never tried spraying it, but on small items like castings a sponge brush works fine and leaves no brush lines.
Rog
I'm doing a full restoration on the engine. So I'm not trying to touch up spots on it. Just trying to get it close to original color. I've painted it with a Global blue it looks ok just not as close as I was wanting. Just thought I would see what others had done for paint colors. Look at picture let me know what you think.
Didn't get picture added. Sorry
That's a nice engine Randy....a very early one also.
I'd say that looks pretty good, though perhaps a bit too shiney and about a half a shade too dark. Maybe spraying it with a coat of Dulcote paint would bring it closer to Tom Sr.'s Robins Egg tone. You likely have several engines showing that original color that you're trying to match, so do a side by side and see if you can live with it.
It's close to what I think the Robbins egg blue would have been when it was applied new. I know paint changes over time so probably will never get it perfect. I think I can live with it for now. I'm going to finish the restoration on it and see what it looks like.