Pullman troop sleeper interior colors

hytwr1 · **Joined:** Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:07 am **Posts:** 211

jayrod wrote:

Bill - curious question: have you seen any samples of those PPG colors? I’m curious if the light green is similar to the run of the mill government “institutional green”. Might be able to find that in the Fed Specs. Since these are interior colors, a PPG dealer should be able to mix samples for you. They may have to consult the lab in Pittsburgh to get the formula close but it might be worth the effort. A actual sample is always best to have for matching. If you need to go to the lab direct, I may be able to help.

The paint that’s on there now is likely an oil base. You’ll have to seal it before you put anything other than oil over top so the new paint stays stuck on.

Eric,

Institutional green is exactly what it looks like.

My local PPG store couldn't find it in the computer and referred me to one in another city that checked all their records and couldn't find the code. I even made a couple phone calls to PPG corporate. They bounced me to different departments that yielded nobody who could find a formula to match those code numbers. None of them were the lab.

If you have a way to contact the lab directly I will gladly accept the help.

Thanks

jayrod · **Posted:** Sun Dec 24, 2023 12:22 am

Sent you a PM.

NVPete · **Posted:** Fri Dec 29, 2023 1:10 pm

Five-digit Ditzler/PPG code numbers beginning with "5" usually indicate a maroon or purple color.

Blue Bird's interior tan does look pretty similar, Hytwr, so perhaps you can check your sample up against that...

jayrod · **Posted:** Fri Dec 29, 2023 3:50 pm

NVPete wrote:

Five-digit Ditzler/PPG code numbers beginning with "5" usually indicate a maroon or purple color.

Ummm, no. Especially in this case. My assumption is that the color numbers are assigned as they finalize the color for a customer. Hence, you can have sequential numbers for colors not in the same family.

p51 · **Posted:** Fri Dec 29, 2023 7:55 pm

The B&O museum has a well restored one, maybe ask them?

NVPete · **Posted:** Sat Dec 30, 2023 10:28 am

jayrod wrote:

Ummm, no. Especially in this case. My assumption is that the color numbers are assigned as they finalize the color for a customer. Hence, you can have sequential numbers for colors not in the same family.

We know DuPont did that, Eric, assigning unique and special sequential code numbers for specific customers although they were much more willy-nilly about it.

I can see a maroon possibly being the floor color...

https://c8.alamy.com/comp/WXCD66/interi ... WXCD66.jpg

NVPete · **Posted:** Sat Dec 30, 2023 10:33 am

p51 wrote:

The B&O museum has a well restored one, maybe ask them?

That's their car on the right in the split-screen picture up above, Lee...

https://flickr.com/photos/kevharb/3612038183

hytwr1 · **Joined:** Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:07 am **Posts:** 211

For what it's worth, the color codes listed in the bill of materials specifically state for use on the plywood walls.

jayrod · **Posted:** Sun Dec 31, 2023 12:24 am

As a general FYI for everybody, The numbers provided are for the colors only. They would work with almost any PPG paint line at the time. If we get a modern color/tint formula, you can have that mixed in just about any PPG paint line. It's likely going to have to be scanned, though since the pigment materials are all different nowadays.

However, we're working on it through PPG though it's gonna take some time. Keep your fingers crossed...

NVPete · **Posted:** Mon Jan 01, 2024 11:43 am

I'd cross my toes also if they were long enough. LOL

There's a good chance it's the same off-white/tan/beige/ivory/cream as used in the civilian sleepers...

https://www.historictrains.org/collecti ... collection

Perhaps that pale bluish-green is the wintergreen color as well.

jayrod · **Posted:** Fri Jan 05, 2024 11:16 am

Heard from PPG. The numbers don't come back to anything close to green. The 52845 comes back as a metallic red and the 52847 and 52848 as pinks.

hytwr1 · **Joined:** Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:07 am **Posts:** 211

For those following along on the home edition, here's a photo dump of what we are looking at.

I am wondering if the civilian color mentioned was applied over the military government colors.

jayrod · **Posted:** Tue Jan 09, 2024 10:32 pm

I'd be willing to bet that the to shades of green are original to the car as they're not checked or peeling as badly likely due to proper surface prep when built. You can usually get a lot of checking and peeling when you paint over old oil-based paint without proper prep. Even worse if the paints were not compatible.

I like the idea of contacting the B&O museum's restoration department. I don't have a contact there but another RYPNer might.

NVPete · **Posted:** Thu Jan 11, 2024 1:17 pm

That paint is breaking up like lacquer.

The fourth picture looks like Lettuce Green and the fifth, Jade Green. I see what could be French Gray there also but I'm not saying anything about those three different ivories except Peach Blossom appears to have a nice pinkish bloom... LOL

jayrod · **Posted:** Thu Jan 11, 2024 5:00 pm

This is most likely close to the darker green:
https://color-register.org/color/hospital-green

The lighter green, no clue at this time.

Keep in mind those oil binders would yellow and/or pick up grime thus darkening over time.