The Ford Barn

rally 1 · 07-20-2021, 08:00 AM

Why was green chosen for engine color on Model A’s?
Just curious.
Thanks
Ken

Will N · 07-20-2021, 08:43 AM

I don't know, but I bet it's because Henry got a good deal from the supplier!

31Tudor · 07-20-2021, 09:12 AM

This may be complete folklore, but I had heard that left over paint was mixed together to not waste paint and the mixture, which made green, was then used for the engines. Since Henry was pretty frugal, this makes sense. Don't know if this is fact however?

J Franklin · 07-20-2021, 09:50 AM

WWI surplus olive and black fender dip gleanings, I can see it.

chrs1961815 · 07-20-2021, 04:12 PM

Never heard a reason, but I will say there is no evidence of them mixing random paint to create the color or using shipping crates for floorboards!

garyjohn · 07-20-2021, 06:30 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I think Will N nailed it

Tom Wesenberg · 07-20-2021, 11:38 PM

Studebaker engines were green because of left over WWII paint, so the same may be true for the Model A and WWI, but the mixed left overs sounds very likely.

Gary Karr · 07-21-2021, 10:55 AM

Remember that engines were sprayed in alkyd enamel. Initially, the only other enamel paints used were black until the plants started painting wheels in colors other than black in 1930. Bodies were painted in nitrocellulose lacquer.

J Franklin · 07-21-2021, 02:40 PM

Back to war surplus green. Ford always looked for a bargain.

katy · 07-22-2021, 10:09 AM

War surplus 10 years after the war? I hae me doubts.

GeneBob · 07-22-2021, 10:12 PM

Well, Petty Blue was the result of mixing two paint cans together, and Henry Ford was a notorious penny pincher so stretching paint seems like a good possibility.

J Franklin · 07-22-2021, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katy

War surplus 10 years after the war? I hae me doubts.

Oil paint doesn't go bad if stored properly.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 07-23-2021, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will N

I don't know, but I bet it's because Henry got a good deal from the supplier!

Quote:

Originally Posted by garyjohn

I think Will N nailed it

What supplier?? Ford manufactured their own paint (-which included engines).

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 07-23-2021, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Karr

Remember that engines were sprayed in alkyd enamel. Initially, the only other enamel paints used were black until the plants started painting wheels in colors other than black in 1930. Bodies were painted in nitrocellulose lacquer.

Gary is correct with regard to mixing. You cannot mix lacquers into enamels for coloring.

With regard to engine paint, it takes pigments from two different primary colors to make green. The 1928-31 Model-A was not the first Ford vehicle to have a green engine. Ford also used green on the New Improved Ford.

07-20-2021, 08:00 AM	#1
rally 1 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 171	Engine color Why was green chosen for engine color on Model A’s? Just curious. Thanks Ken

07-20-2021, 08:43 AM	#2
Will N Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,101	Re: Engine color I don't know, but I bet it's because Henry got a good deal from the supplier!

07-20-2021, 09:12 AM	#3
31Tudor Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 611	Re: Engine color This may be complete folklore, but I had heard that left over paint was mixed together to not waste paint and the mixture, which made green, was then used for the engines. Since Henry was pretty frugal, this makes sense. Don't know if this is fact however?

07-20-2021, 09:50 AM	#4
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,959	Re: Engine color WWI surplus olive and black fender dip gleanings, I can see it.

07-20-2021, 04:12 PM	#5
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Engine color Never heard a reason, but I will say there is no evidence of them mixing random paint to create the color or using shipping crates for floorboards! __________________ "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

07-20-2021, 06:30 PM	#6
garyjohn Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Big Pine,CA Posts: 161	Re: Engine color Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I think Will N nailed it

07-20-2021, 11:38 PM	#7
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Engine color Studebaker engines were green because of left over WWII paint, so the same may be true for the Model A and WWI, but the mixed left overs sounds very likely.

07-21-2021, 10:55 AM	#8
Gary Karr Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,484	Re: Engine color Remember that engines were sprayed in alkyd enamel. Initially, the only other enamel paints used were black until the plants started painting wheels in colors other than black in 1930. Bodies were painted in nitrocellulose lacquer.

07-21-2021, 02:40 PM	#9
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 5,959	Re: Engine color Back to war surplus green. Ford always looked for a bargain.

07-22-2021, 10:09 AM	#10
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,042	Re: Engine color War surplus 10 years after the war? I hae me doubts. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

07-22-2021, 10:12 PM	#11
GeneBob Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Denver Area Posts: 433	Re: Engine color Well, Petty Blue was the result of mixing two paint cans together, and Henry Ford was a notorious penny pincher so stretching paint seems like a good possibility.

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