The Official 356Talk Forum

What is the exact correct shade of green? I see many different greens and almost all look wrong. Too limey, too leafy, too forest. After much research this as close as I could get for the 1956 Mann filter. Thoughts, please. Awaiting Mann filter with their own information.

Eric
Years ago I asked the same question and my research discovered that the color is Mint Green Color from RAL 6029/00K . The lid is painted gloss black.

The color I painted it is from RAL color scheme and was a 99.9% match to the original painted color.

The RAL color system in the Europeon idea of the US Pantone color system. RAL colors are standards, not formulas. For better description and history see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAL_

RAL 6029 is equal to Pantone 349. Color is called Mint Green.

All I needed was a rattle can size Mint Green in US Pantone 349 and I was able to locate it at Tower Paints ‪(800) 779-6520‬ or ‪(920) 235-6520‬ They specialize in hard to find automotive paint colors. 16 oz spray can cost me under $20

I've understood that color as a possibility as well, however, that was not a 1950's color at all. I've done extensive research on colors from the era, and the brighter greens were rare and the chemistry to make them cheaply not in place. Also, look at this obviously unrestored filter. The black top was on some, not on others, depended on the indentions in the cover lid. Thoughts?

Eric
Its been some time since I researched the color. I've never seen a flat bottom Mann filter as light as the one you pictured on your first entry. Perhaps its my computer screen but yours looks a lot like a teal shade to me. The 2nd picture is not a flat bottom Mann filter canister so I'm not sure what lid came on that filter. I have however seen mint green like the one I showed. Maybe someone with more insight on the original green color can weigh in.

I have use the RAL color system to get powder coating powders. They are indeed a color standard, and every color, I have matched to the original has been true. The slate gray was spot on
https://www.ral-farben.de/content/appli ... lours.html

But then how do you explain the original above?

The light teal colored filter canister above looks like a Fram Filter to me. Is that a Mann?

Maybe contact these guys https://www.mann-hummel.com/en/contact- ... -contacts/ and ask what RAL color is their logo.

Eric
May I suggest that you go to the 356 Registry Home page click on to Resources- scroll down to Articles and search “Oil Filter Cannister Types and Decals”. There is a wealth of information.

I have contacted Mann and they told me to be patient. Sadly, my color photographs in many crazy ways. This might be the most accurate.

And here is a vintage Mann filter.

Alex, I tried twice to find the article, no luck. Finding out about this color was my main reason for joining this place. Are strangers always treated like this? I feel like I'm surrounded by a bunch a bullies in a sandbox. I'm referring to a different section, of course.

Eric
Here’s the link. https://www.porsche356registry.org/article/230?

In fact I just saw a picture of a 1953 Porsche 1500 coupe by Reutter that just sold at RM Sotheby’s auction in Scottsdale supposedly with its original engine that has a light green Mann filter canister. This however doesn’t ensure it was original equipment from the factory as a lot of them were dealer installed options.

I would also like to think that we all join “this place” to help one another. Believe me I’ve received more than I’ve contributed over the years.

Thanks, Alex! Those repainted greens just don't look like 1950's greens to my eye. Look at kitchen greens from the period, etc. But hopefully Mann will respond to me soon as they promised.

Just to clear things up, from 15 June 1953, all Porsche motors were shipped with oil filter canisters from the factory. There's a factory service bulletin stating this. Canisters were a factory option before that too, especially on 528 motors which were mostly used for racing. All motors from early 1951 onward (at least) were drilled for the oil return line as well. Porsche offered 3 brands - Fram, Mann and Knecht. Fram were by far the most common, and I think especially common on Hoffman cars as the replacement filters were easily available for Fram, which was a US company. I have a pet hypothesis that each importer specified the filter that came on the cars he ordered, but I have not been able to confirm this.

As for coupe 50747 at RM Sotheby's, it's engine was cosmetically a mess - including what I think was a Fram filter, painted green with incorrect Fram stickers placed in the incorrect location. The Mann filters of the early 50s had a gold anodize of some sort to them underneath the green paint, making them very easy to recognize. Originals I've seen had the lid with the flower petal impressions in it, as pictured in the Tech article linked above. The reproduction stickers for the Mann filters are for these early flower petal filters. The later Mann filters had different stickers (and possibly a different shade of green).

Anyway, interesting discussion, but photos of repainted canisters aren't going to get anyone to agree unless you put them side-by-side with an original, or photograph them in neutral light being very careful of the color balance of your camera.

I suspect Mann used more than one green, as shown by the original canisters above and linked in the Registry Tech article.

In any case, this is good reason not to strip paint off items before you've matched it, photographed it, and documented it. =)