24087 paint for '53 M38A1

[Cuz]

Computor pics of the OEM and Gillespie version of same are never close enough to compare.

Computer generated colors will do fine when comparison to another computer generated sample are being used.

You can take two brand new from the factory M38A1's in 1953 and stand them in front of the Willys factory, one in the shade and the other in the sum and you will see two different colors. You can then place them side by side in the sun and look at one from the front and the other from the rear and you will see two different colors. Two different people will see two different colors under the exact same conditions. You can take a Wednesday morning painted M38A1 on Sep 15 1953 and sit it along side a Thursday afternoon painted M38A1 A Sep 15, 1953 and see a slight difference. As mentioned above just slightly different amounts of hardener/accelerator will throw off two different shades of the same color.

When two colors differ as much as 2430 and 24087 it is fairly easy, no matter what system you use to tell them apart.

GSA Federal Color Standards program has a very detailed scientific way to view a finish to determine how well it matches the Federal paint chip.

Those levels of analism aren't necessary here. The last two paint swaths shown are close enough to those official colors that you will have no problem picking the correct one.

[Ben Dover]

I have the complete set of FS 595a Color Chips I obtained thru the National Bureau of Standards in the 60s. 2430 is not included in that set. I did, however notice that new M-38 and M-38A1 Jeeps were painted a very pleasant color OD which was very different from the 24087 shade of OD. Also noted that new M-37 Trucks coming into the system had that same very pleasant OD and that other new trucks of the 50's such as the REO and UTICA BEND 6X6 trucks had the same color. The mystery was solved when Keith Buckley posred information he had that identified vehicles produced by Willys and Jeep prior to 1967 era were, indeed 2430 when delivered prior to the switchover to 24087.
I have been fortunate to be privvy to witnessing new M-Series Trucks as they were being delivered in the early 50's to the local National Guard units as they were introduced into the system. Most in this area were kept indoors and retained their original finish well thru the 60's before being sent to the State HQ Ordnance Support Unit for a 24087 repaint. It appeared that the new M-35 type multifuels produced in the late 60's were 24087 before the swap to 383 Green.

Lawrence Nabholtz pointed out that there are other color shade details to consider such as small brackets and sheetmetal parts that were dipped and will have a more glossy look as well as runs and drips when observed.

[messer262]

I am very lucky to have found out that AJP is in Levitttown, PA, which is not too far from where I love at all, so I can save a ton on shipping. That made my entire week finding that out. Now, I am not necessarily looking to be a nit-picker on the exact shade, and color, I just want to try and make sure it is a historically accurate shade of OD and keep in the spirit of the era, while making sure it is pleasing to the eye (my eyes dont really like the brownish OD. Im kinda partial to the WWII shades of OD.) I think the color on my jeep now is the Post War OD from Beechwood Canvas which is a good bit darker than the original color it was. I like the original color. I think I am going to try to go with the AJPWWII color. I know that 99% of the paint is in the prep, so itll be a long road, but it should be worth the time investment. First thing is going to be to get my paint booth setup and built. My mother was telling my wife about a story when my father painted some car parts in the basement one day when she was away, and she came home to everything coated in a fine black dust of paint. Not sure what happened there since my father was a very intelligent man. might have just been a case of lack of patience maybe due to humidity in the garage on a rainy day. Oh well. We all had a good laugh.

You guys are a great crowd. I have a feeling I have stumbled upon a great community. I will have to stop by and thank the gentleman that turned me on to this site. There is a guy (I profusely apologize for forgetting your name) in my area who has a MUTT in the Lincoln University area, and he pointed me in his direction. While he doesnt like jeeps, Ill have to swing by and thank him.

[Ben Dover]

Thank you, no "analism" here tho. :wink:

[messer262]

How much paint does it usually take to do one of the A1s? This will be my first foray into painting with a gun and anything larger than a piece of furniture so I know I'll need a respirator but not sure how much paint and synthetic reducer for a job this size. Thanks.

[Ben Dover]

If you are not stripping the Jeep down to the chassis, a gallon will be more than enough for the Jeep. It's the separate small items that use up the paint.