Shock absorber colour

andrewh · Post by **andrewh** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 6:36 am

I am sure somewhere this may have been discussed before, but just wondering whether anyone can point me in the right direction for some gloss grey of the correct shade for the shock absorbers on my '62 FHC?

Post by **Heuer** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:19 am

You discussed it here: http://forum.etypeuk.com/viewtopic.php? ... ht=girling

PeterCrespin · Post by **PeterCrespin** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 12:10 pm

FWIW those appear to be the later Decarbon monotube gas pressurised dampers for which I think Girling got a licence to use the patent. Hence the strap holding them compressed to prevent them extending like modern gas boot struts. As soon as you cut that packing strap they extend fully.

The original fitment on E-types in the Sixties would have been normal twin tube dampers which stay compressed if you push them down. The downside being that you often have to pump them several times to restore damping if they have been stored on their side or upside down. I'm not sure of the exact date they changed but the earlier colour was a duller blue-greyish hue and not metallic AFAIK.

Post by **Heuer** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 12:31 pm

Like this, from our 'Factory Fit' thread?

This is a fairly late 3.8.

This is an earlier 3.8 from the same thread:

vee12eman · Post by **vee12eman** » Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:51 pm

Hi,

I have a copy of the excellent ?V12 E-type Guide to Originality? by Richard Russ. I know you have a Series 1 but the following is very possibly relevant. The text (which is a result of very extensive research as far as I can tell), describes the colour of the shock absorbers as ?Machine Grey?, a colour available from many paint manufacturers, although with sometimes differing shades. The text goes on to mention that many cars have factory replacement Girling items in the dark metallic blue shade shown in an earlier post. A colour photo of the shock absorber is shown (admittedly a front shock absorber) in a sort of mid tone grey, which I would describe as dove grey or even tractor grey (the colour many Ferguson or Ford tractors were painted in the 1950/60s). I have a copy of the book both electronic and physical but I don?t think I can post the pictures due to copyright?

My own Series 3 has a pair of New Old Stock Girling Shock absorbers in the metallic blue colour shown earlier, which I bought, still in their boxes and unused, but obviously having been stored for years.

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Simon

andrewh · Post by **andrewh** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 5:11 am

thanks very much guys, and thank you for reminding this aging poster that he had already discussed this matter on an earlier thread!

I am pretty sure that Grey would be the colour and had already recognised it was somewhat similar to the Ferguson tractor grey, which I believe is called Stonleigh Grey but had not made the connection with Machine Grey so often seen on Lathes and Milling Machines etc. Good pointer, thanks. I will pick up a mid grey and paint them in that I think, at least I wont be getting the rivet counters giving me hassle as I dont think anyone can say for sure .

As for the metallic blue, I am pretty sure that is a later colour as you mentioned. Many thanks

Post by **1954Etype** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 3:12 pm

What? And you listen to the rivet counters? Second word is always "off" if I encounter them. I believe Classic Jaguar have the correct colour.

andrewh · Post by **andrewh** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 5:33 pm

Ha!!!! maybe you have the right idea! When you say Classic Jaguar, do you mean the US company?

Post by **1954Etype** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 5:45 pm

Andrew yes www.classicjaguar.com I think they did some investigatory work on this subject.

andrewh · Post by **andrewh** » Fri Jul 20, 2012 5:54 pm

thanks Angus.

Post by **Heuer** » Sun Jun 09, 2013 11:05 am

Not sure if you found the correct colour Andrew but Massey Ferguson Tractor Stoneleigh Grey as suggested might not be quite right:

"A traditional ultra high quality synthetic coach / machinery enamel with high build properties a long wet edge and high solids content for both brush and spray application. Gives an extra long wet edge time allowing the largest of vehicles or fabrications to be brushed or sprayed without overspray or brush drag. Provides ultimate high gloss with build and scratch filling properties combined with excellent water resistance, flexibility and good exterior durability and toughness. Is used in preference to normal commercially available enamels for decorative work of the highest standard. The quality of the finish allows for longer maintenance intervals to subsequent re-finishing. Ideal for heavy duty vehicle finishing, tractors, stationary engines, marine applications as well as for vehicle repair work. It has a very good resistance to oils, fats, and cutting oils / fluids etc, which makes it an ideal choice for all types of workshop machinery."

So the paint seems ideal. However this is Stoneleigh Grey:

Or you could try Myford Lathe Grey:

Or BS 632 Dark Admiralty Grey (would be my choice):

Original Girling shock (not E-Type) for comparison (those decals are amazing):

It seems likely that Girling, part of Lucas, would have bought Army/Navy surplus paint - of which there would have been lots postwar - at very low prices.

According to Porter the shocks were Girling 640-541-73 up to #850321, #860121, #876394 and #885334 and then NFP.64054298

Maybe we should start a thread on what original colours were used during production for standard parts? I have never actually got to the bottom of what colour the header tank should be - silver, silver with a green tint, silver hammertone, grey etc? CMC seem to think it was like this:

Chassis #850024

Chassis #860001:

Chassis #860003:

E-Type UK:

Chassis #885020

But JCNA say:
41145 Hammered Gray ? Windscreen and fan motors
41175 Hammered Mid Green ? Oil filter canister
43105 Hammered Silver Gray ? Plenum, air filter canister (4.2 cars), header tank, header tank mount

Some of these Hammerite colours are available in the US but not in the UK but other companies supply 'hammered' alternatives.

Header tank braces: grey with green tint

Post by **Heuer** » Mon Jun 10, 2013 9:11 am

For anyone interested the 1950's and 1960's Girling decals are available as excellent repro's:

http://www.alfastop.co.uk/cgi-bin/psPro ... de=1DEC101

Ring Tony Stevens on 0177 382 1900 if you want a set as the web site ordering system does not seem to work. If you mention they are for an E-Type he will supply two for the fronts rather than the standard four in a pack. Probably not worth putting them on the rears as they cannot be seen.

Post by **Heuer** » Tue Jun 11, 2013 4:59 pm

Further research suggests that only the very early cars had the header tanks painted grey/green. Once production got rolling it seems they switched to hammered silver for the header tank and header support bracket but the tie bar remained "grey with a green tint" (JCNA Judging Guide). Going with the theory that Arthur Whittaker, Jaguar's Chief Buyer, would do anything to save a penny I wonder if he bought in a job lot Military surplus paint for these. In which case the nearest I can find is BS 627 Light Aircraft Grey:

This is from our 'Factory Fit' thread though a late 3.8:

Which suggests maybe it is correct for the tie bars.

This company can supply aerosols of any BS colours in full, semi, satin or matt: http://www.cjaerosols.com/ and here is the full BS colour chart: http://www.advancedcoatings.ie/Colour-Chart/

richard btype · Post by **richard btype** » Wed Jun 12, 2013 4:08 pm

What a great thread, full of information - thanks gents!

Post by **Heuer** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 9:09 am

So much for colour charts! The Dark Admiralty Grey looks too light to me:

I think I will try the RAF Blue/Grey; this chart from a different supplier:

richard btype · Post by **richard btype** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 10:13 am

I have a local motor factors in Cheshunt, Herts (next door in fact to the former Lotus Factory) who will mix paint and make up spray cans and very useful it is too. I have used this service often but the point is that It is extremely difficult to match colours. They use the typical paint swatches but if its not right its not right and can become quite frustrating. In the end one can only get as close as possible but is not a scientific approach. Is there not a service whereby a sample can be analysed? It would be extremely useful to be able to produce an all correct reference guide with appropriate ral no's would it not?

Post by **Heuer** » Fri Jun 14, 2013 11:21 am

We do have a company who will mix paints however I do not have an original grey Girling shock absorber to compare with.

Post by **Heuer** » Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:24 am

Decals arrived and they are superb. Even a quality scan will not pick up the gold bordering properly. RAF Grey/Blue BS633 should be here Monday.

Post by **Heuer** » Mon Jun 17, 2013 3:02 pm

This colour seems to be right - BS633 RAF Blue Grey

I saw this car at Ken Verity's and he had the paint matched to an original Girling colour. Basically exactly the same as BS633. He agrees they probably used war surplus paint bought cheaply.

NOS Girling (for a Mini Cooper):

On a related note this is how Ken Verity reckons the header tank support and brackets should look like. He said Ford 'Dove Grey' as used on the Ford Popular in the 1950's is very close:

PeterCrespin · Post by **PeterCrespin** » Mon Jun 17, 2013 4:10 pm

Halfords will mix paint and fill aerosols. I even got them in cellulose but they can only sell up to a certain volume before some sort of hazardous substance regulation kicks in.

Over here, Home Depot will scan an item and mix you gloss or emulsion etc. to match perfectly. I'm sure plenty of UK places must use optical paint scanning. For things like hood frames or radiator stays or the stoneguard, brush enamel would work OK.

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