Hi all. I have some questions on repainting a blue/silver duco Club Date. 1) How can I find out the exact colors to use? I'm painting over existing colors.2) What kind of paint was used on them in early 60's - Enamel?3) What kind of clear coat do I put over it?.....thanks in advance for the help!
Finding the exact colors may be a bit of a challenge. Perhaps someone here on the forum has duplicated the blue/silver? It is quite possible that the colors were popular car colors from the same period because Duco was an automotive finish.
Duco was a nitrocellulose lacquer developed by DuPont in the 1920's for the automobile industry and remained a popular choice of the auto manufactures into the 1960's. And, as you well know, Duco was also a popular drum finish.
Nitrocellulose lacquers are increasingly difficult to find today because of their high VOC content. Even the more modern acrylic lacquers are becoming difficult to find as well.
I would suggest that you take a drum shell to a local automotive paint supplier. An acrylic urethane base coat/clear coat finishing system may be the way to go. They may even be able to scan the colors for a reasonably accurate match.
I should also mention that any of these automotive paint materials are dangerous to breathe and are best applied with professional equipment.