Painting My Argosy~what Color??

[Denise M.]

I am having someone paint my Argosy next week plus it has some dents on the back which they will Bondo. Is the off white the best color for these? Do I tell the guy I want it white or an off white? I want it to look as close as possible to how it looked back in 1975 new. I asked the person painting it if he could put some center stripes on it for me and he said "I can even put flames on it" I don't think I want the flames just yet but who knows When I first brought the Argosy home and put it in the driveway my neighbor was outside and asked are you going to store that somewhere? She said her Aunt kept hers at the lake. I said no we are going to use it. I suppose it does look like a big egg in the driveway and the houses in my neighborhood are close together but it is in my driveway and her reply kind of bugged me. Just curious if anyone else has had a similiar experience? Can't wait to see her face when its painted to its former days of glory. Maybe she will have a twinge of jealousy kick in

[53flyingcloud]

I SUGGEST painting it
FLAMING RED..from top to toe..

[bobchevy89]

Originally Posted by Denise M.

I am having someone paint my Argosy next week plus it has some dents on the back which they will Bondo. Is the off white the best color for these? Do I tell the guy I want it white or an off white? I want it to look as close as possible to how it looked back in 1975 new. I asked the person painting it if he could put some center stripes on it for me and he said "I can even put flames on it" I don't think I want the flames just yet but who knows When I first brought the Argosy home and put it in the driveway my neighbor was outside and asked are you going to store that somewhere? She said her Aunt kept hers at the lake. I said no we are going to use it. I suppose it does look like a big egg in the driveway and the houses in my neighborhood are close together but it is in my driveway and her reply kind of bugged me. Just curious if anyone else has had a similiar experience? Can't wait to see her face when its painted to its former days of glory. Maybe she will have a twinge of jealousy kick in

paint it what ever your little heart desires.a light shade oftan .remember the darker the color the hotter it will be inside and the ac willwork it's butt off

[overlander64]

Greetings Denise!

I checked my Argosy Notes, and found the Argosy color codes that Charlie Burke posted to the VAC list some six or seven years ago. Those codes are as follows:
~~~~~~~~~~
Upper body color: DuPont Centari #44534-A Light Beige

Lower banana skin: Lilly Coatings #7641-A Metallic Brown
(this bottom color various with different models-this
was appropriate for the 1976 Argosy, 24 ft.)

The original colors were provided by Lilly Industrial Coatings. In 1988
Airstream published a list of Dupont Centari substitute numbers. Based on
that list the Argosy colors through 1977 were:

Upper--Light Beige 44534-A

Lower--Metallic Brown 44721-AM

~~~~~~~~

The color codes likely are no longer current, but many paint suppliers can cross-reference the older numbers to obtain a current match or very near match. I know that I am planning to have my Minuet painted with the 1977 Light Beige with 2006 Chevrolet Colorado Copper Canyon for the banana wraps and exposed frame areas, as well as the LP tanks.

Good luck with your restoration/refurbishment!

Kevin

[Blu_Hwy_Lady]

The burgundy colored little Argosy at the Casini Rally was a real head turner. Absolutely unique and gorgeous. Also, just seeing the thumbnail of the one called Mistral Blue...now that's one handsome rig. Search that poster's user name.

Yeah, yeah there's the whole Practicality issue related to heat etc. Ok, I'll be brave and lob out this flame war starter...so here goes. White is the most boring of all possible colors, the last refuge of the indecisive, unimaginative and uber-practical. It is, if you will, like chosing white cotton briefs over sexy french bikini underwear. And... I don't care what kind of a body you've got, white cotton briefs are not ever going to look better than french bikini underwear. White is the color of fleet vehicles because it is so practical. White is the color of non-descript vans favored by stalking socio-paths. White is also the color of SOBs. Need I saw more?

These are just my opinions...let the color flame war commence.

[JimGolden]

Go for something wild with tons of metal flake in it like these high dollar bass boats! Strawberry red super metallic That'd be cool!

[Silvertwinkie]

Factory tanish color with clearcoat and maybe some metallic flakes in it.

[Gunnyusmc]

If you paint in light silver like mine the WBCCI members will go nut's and say "your just trying too make it look like an Airstream".
But the fact of the matter is it's your trailer and paint it what ever color your heart desires.

Good luck
Don

[Airhog1]

G

[RBolton]

Upper--Light Beige 44534-A

Lower--Metallic Brown 44721-AM

Any auto parts store that handles/mixes Dupont paints can still mix these shades using these numbers. At least my local store can/did. The light beige name kinda through me at first but it is the correct off white/eggshell/ivory color that was original to my 76 Argosy.

[flitzwhopper]

I con't care wahat anyone says.. these forum types are nice folks. Having an Argosy has been a bit traumatic (just kidding) when around all of the real Airstreams. I'm really looking hard at a silver topside, patriot blue to match the TV and blue rub strips.

[Janet H]

At one point we had considered painting ours sort of a pale glowy creamsicle color....
But we chickened out. Here's the draft version:

[Denise M.]

I have thought about the original off white or silver. But as one member said people might think I am trying to make it look like an Airstream. I saw one on Ebay recently painted silver and it looked great. My son wants flames somehow going along the sides. Any thought on that?

[lewster]

Originally Posted by Denise M.

I have thought about the original off white or silver. But as one member said people might think I am trying to make it look like an Airstream. I saw one on Ebay recently painted silver and it looked great. My son wants flames somehow going along the sides. Any thought on that?

Sure! How about some really nice ghost flames coming from the front wrap windows?

But then, be sure that people don't think that the Argy is on fire.

[robandzoe]

I recommend that you do not paint it a dark color - AC will not be able to cool properly and it will get hot inside. A nice tan would be nice / rather than the off white color it was. Good luck, and show us how it comes out.

[brunoffrance]

Hi Denise;
Here is my french touch in choosing color for your argosy...
I had loved the choice that Rich Luhr made in his last project on his argosy ...
Check that and tell if you like:
Project Vintage Thunder: 2005-05-15

Bruno.

[sd90mac]

Denise,

It's your's. What is your favorite color or combination. There it's solved. Make it truly yours with what makes you happy.

Marie

[overlander63]

You can paint it the factory color, and put "pearl" flames on it. They would only be obvious when looking at it from an angle.
Or, you could paint it Ivory, also with pearl, instead of metal flake. Okay, pearl is sort of metal flake, but the flakes are well, less "flakey".

[robandzoe]

That color of VT is nice, but it really takes in the sun and heats up.... I like the factory idea.... but instead of flames - go with a Sharks teeth / mouth. Park it behind an SOB -and what a neat picture.

[JimGolden]

Why not paint the roof white to reflect the sun's rays, and then paint the sides and bottom whatever color you like?

I still like metal flake bass boat red

Of course, you could always paint it like Austin Power's airplane