Heron Gray reproduction

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Alexis Collaud
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Heron Gray reproduction

#1 Post by Alexis Collaud »

Hi,
My bodyshop is looking for the right "Heron Gray" to paint my 356 BT6 as closed as original. The original code is 6207 or R739 (reutter)
I understand that is quite complex to reproduce the color using modern paint (I'm in France, without 356 Heron gray around me)

I've found this code :
heroncodes.jpg
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and also this combination :
Heron (6207)
97.8 1051 white
1.4 1052 black
0.8 1053 ocher

what do you recommend ?

Thank you for your support toward full matching project :D

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James Davies
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Re: Heron Gray reproduction

#2 Post by James Davies »

Glasurit has mixes for this color in all their lines, 22, 55 and 90. It is listed under "Reihergrau".

But like all mixes with modern pigments, one needs to spray them out and then compare to original paint in a protected area of your own car (or sister car). And make sure that paint has been cut/polished. Hopefully you didn't remove all the original paint from your car.

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Rudy Bernhard
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Re: Heron Gray reproduction

#3 Post by Rudy Bernhard »

Try the color that is available for the 2009 production of 911s. Is is paint option Z98, Heron Grey. It is a modern color and is easy to obtain. I used PPG Envirobase High Performance. I found it to be an exact match for the original color under my dash pad and glove box on my 63 coupe (T6B). I used that color, and was much pleased. It makes sense that the factory would get a good match when reintroducing an old color. Your restorer can obtain a small sample to compare with the protected area paint you wish to match. When we put the sample on the area under the dash pad, and dried it, you could not tell which was original, and which was the sample. I am not sure if all years of production of Heron Grey are the same color from the factory. Some older model 356s seemed to match a darker shade.
1960 Super Cabriolet, 1963 S90 Coupe
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Alexis Collaud
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Re: Heron Gray reproduction

#4 Post by Alexis Collaud »

I've ordered and tried 2 set of colors "6207" Reihergrau, 1 from Spies Hecker and the other from Glasurit and the result is ... surprising

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And now I'm lost. I don't really like both colors, one is too gray, the other too yellow
A member is sending me aPPG example so I will compare
I've also ordered the PPG here in France (not sure it will the same tone as the example he is sending me) and one other from Autocolors
I don't find the Z98

to be continued

Alexis Collaud
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Re: Heron Gray reproduction

#5 Post by Alexis Collaud »

I tested the three colors on large metal sheet, here is the result (tge weather is bad, no sun)
Glasurit on the left, PGG in middle and SPies Hecher on the right

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Nothing comparable

Max Handley
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Re: Heron Gray reproduction

#6 Post by Max Handley »

For my eyes the sample on the far right is close.
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John Brooks
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Re: Heron Gray reproduction

#7 Post by John Brooks »

Its been a few years but yes the one on the right. The original Grey has a beige tinge to it is direct sunlight
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Ned Hamlin
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Re: Heron Gray reproduction

#8 Post by Ned Hamlin »

max handley wrote: Sun Nov 24, 2019 6:07 pm For my eyes the sample on the far right is close.
x2
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Rudy Bernhard
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Re: Heron Gray reproduction

#9 Post by Rudy Bernhard »

The heron grey will be very different in direct sunlight vs shade vs clouds vs artificial light. Pick the best for all conditions. If i remember, my ppg had only a little black tint added, no other color. It looks to have a very slight green tinge under clouds, but under sun has no colors other than the slight grey. It goes well with the oatmeal carpet and light brown interior. I get a lot of complements.

Correction(12/29/2019): Was able to get formula for Envirobase HP EHP PPG. T400 White 4503, T422 Yellow 345, T409 Deep Black 193, T440 Red 46 for a gallon of Heron Grey for a Z98 Color for a 2009 Porsche 997, Reference POR-Z98, International. It was a great match for the under the dash color on my Heron Grey 63 Coupe.
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Last edited by Rudy Bernhard on Sun Dec 29, 2019 10:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1960 Super Cabriolet, 1963 S90 Coupe
Registry #311
Owned Porsche 356s continuously since 1978
(wow, made 45 years of ownership on the 60 Cab!)

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Martin Benade
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Re: Heron Gray reproduction

#10 Post by Martin Benade »

There was a Mini color 5-10 years ago that I thought was very close. You might look into it. The best Ruby Red I found was a 2001 Audi color, it’s on my car and looks correct.
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Roy Smalley
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Re: Heron Gray reproduction

#11 Post by Roy Smalley »

Painted three weeks ago. 63 Heron Grey. This matched the original color on dash where covered as close as one can get.

Reminder. View in indirect, natural light any sample for the true color. All samples should be painted using the same process from metal up to be accurate.
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Martin Benade
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Re: Heron Gray reproduction

#12 Post by Martin Benade »

And remember that our cars are noted for leaving the factory in various shades which gives some leeway in choosing the one that looks right to you.
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Alexis Collaud
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Re: Heron Gray reproduction

#13 Post by Alexis Collaud »

Thank you, all these cars are very nice and I definitely like this Heron Gray
I beleive that I will go with Spies Hecker 6207 ...

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Keith Lee
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Re: Heron Gray reproduction

#14 Post by Keith Lee »

As an addendum to this thread, I had a master match the colour on my A pillar cover.
As close to a perfect match to both the A pillar cover and the dash as I could desire.
Heron Grey Code.jpg
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Michael Branning
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Re: Heron Gray reproduction

#15 Post by Michael Branning »

Keith Lee wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 4:59 pm As an addendum to this thread, I had a master match the colour on my A pillar cover.
As close to a perfect match to both the A pillar cover and the dash as I could desire.
Keith, thanks for this. I have a Heron Gray Roadster under restoration so this will come in handy.
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