TheSamba.com :: View topic - Join the Mango Mafia

Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:11 am

Looking good there 59/65. I figure this is as good a place as any to post Mango Green and Seagull Grey paint forumulas.

If anyone has gotten a good match for Seagull Grey post the details here, with the formula if possible.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:22 am

59/65 wrote: Didn't mean to turn this into a body/paint thread, but couldn't find mango/seagull specific info over there.

I agree with Stan - I think this is a good place for Mango/Seagull paint info.
Interestingly, I had my friendly neighbourhood body shop mix me some single stage Mango that was almost a perfect match (A little too dark), but they said they could not match the seagull in SS.
I thought that odd, but I know about as much about vehicle paint as I know about String Theory.

I too will be interested to see if anyone knows of a manufacturer and formula for single stage seagull

Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:59 am

Directly from a vintage VW paint formula sheet:

L346 Mango Green (mangogrün)
56.6 Parts - White
37.0 Parts - Ochre
4.0 Parts - Black
2.4 Parts - Dark Green

L347 Sea Gull Grey (möwengrau)
95.2 Parts - White
3.0 Parts - Yellow Green
1.8 Parts - Black

I have not had these mixed and cannot verify their match.
Maybe somebody with friends in the paint biz can mix them up and try them.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 5:49 pm

Appreciate that formula info House. Also, all the input from others.

Quick update. The Sherwin Williams auto paint store in Cleveland mixed me up a batch of mango green L 346 in a 20 oz spray can. (Again, they don't have the formula for L 347 seagull grey).

Here is the can info:

SA - 5699 00(A) CODE L 346
Mango Green 1958-1960 Volkswagen (Note: I believe it's '59-'61)
2nd Dimension 5.0 SIZE: 20 ounces

DA609 POLYCURE B 23.5
DM522 STRONG WHITE 134.2
DM528 FERRIT YELLOW 127.6
DM500 STRONG BLACK 49.1
DM505 GREEN 5.0
DM510 BLUE 0.6

DM614 5.0 A/E CLEAR 208.4
DM624 Ballance SOLV 62.5

VOC # 4.60
SWAFC 9115

I have no idea what all these numbers or codes mean, but here they are off the can. Below is the can and what a sample looks like next to the small portion of remaining mango on the bus.

Close, but it looks a little light to me??? (Note: the paint was still wet when I took the picture.)

(BTW, yes I still have to cut the line back in on the dogleg repair. :oops: )

Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:10 pm

i know dilly about paint also but when David S. redid my bus nose he used some seagull grey. i will get a chance to look in the garage either thurs or fri night. i will see if there are any markings on the cans. also my buddy that does auto painting had made me up some cans also when he heard i bought a mango bus. his cans had no markings but i could send him an email and see what he used also.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:08 pm

obus wrote: i will get a chance to look in the garage either thurs or fri night. i will see if there are any markings on the cans. also my buddy that does auto painting had made me up some cans also when he heard i bought a mango bus. his cans had no markings but i could send him an email and see what he used also.

I greatly appreciate all the info and input. While there may seem to be a lot of mango/seagull buses from reading this thread, this is arguably a pretty rare and unique color scheme in the total picture of all VW's produced. Any info that helps or contributes to the overall collective knowledge of these colors is a good thing.

Sean G.

Wed Aug 06, 2008 7:42 pm

I noticed that when I cut and polished the Mango on my bus, the Mango became much darker. The years of oxidation tend to lighten it, so the correct formula of paint can look too dark.
Looking forward to a SS formula (and manufacturer) of seagull as I still have some touch ups to do on the top of mine (and brakes and engine and electrical!!)

Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:40 pm

none will be perfect,you have to hand tint it to get it perfect. i paint. its so easy to do when you get into it. all vw paint has so mutch grey,blue yellow.the reds the whites all of it. if you want it as close as posible,you have to find somewhere under the door panel or the partition to find somewhere the sun hasent seen to match. todays paint is different but you can do it! its as fun as finding the right year parts for me.

Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:09 am

this bus was painted with ppg omni.i dont like either colour.but they are tintable.

Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:19 am

this is a better picture of the colours.they look good but my 65 i was happy with right out of the can.that way i can easily just buy more to touch up! those really did look good. I used ppg concept urethane.

Thu Aug 07, 2008 9:34 am

obus wrote: i know dilly about paint also but when David S. redid my bus nose he used some seagull grey. i will get a chance to look in the garage either thurs or fri night. i will see if there are any markings on the cans. also my buddy that does auto painting had made me up some cans also when he heard i bought a mango bus. his cans had no markings but i could send him an email and see what he used also.

I used PPG's Concept on Paul's (obus) bus. Both the mango green and the seagull grey came up in the computer with a formula, though I had them tinted from there. I also use a little flattening agent to match to original paint. I don't have any info here, but if Paul can't find anything on the can, I can check with my paint store... They keep records for everything they match for me. But this would only apply to PPG Concept which cannot be put onto cans as it is a urethane and requires a hardener. -David

Thu Aug 07, 2008 10:04 am

Beautiful job on that bus Dave...

Thu Aug 07, 2008 12:49 pm

Mine and my partners mango with a westy mosaic interior.

changed alot in our 3 year ownership.Still loads to do though.

Fri Aug 08, 2008 4:17 am

DSweinhagen wrote: obus wrote: i know dilly about paint also but when David S. redid my bus nose he used some seagull grey. i will get a chance to look in the garage either thurs or fri night. i will see if there are any markings on the cans. also my buddy that does auto painting had made me up some cans also when he heard i bought a mango bus. his cans had no markings but i could send him an email and see what he used also.

I used PPG's Concept on Paul's (obus) bus. Both the mango green and the seagull grey came up in the computer with a formula, though I had them tinted from there. I also use a little flattening agent to match to original paint. I don't have any info here, but if Paul can't find anything on the can, I can check with my paint store... They keep records for everything they match for me. But this would only apply to PPG Concept which cannot be put onto cans as it is a urethane and requires a hardener. -David

Here is why i can almost interpret off the cans(feel free to translate!)

the Mango Green one is 1 Quart and all it says is Concept DCC H
Acrylic Urethane

the Seagull Grey one has a lot more info. it is an 8 ounce can:

it says DCC 31889ALT

codes -- color -- cumulative -- grams

DMC 900 -- Str. White -- 259.0 -- 259.0
DMC 908 -- Yellow -- 281.5 -- 22.5
DMC901 -- Str. Bla -- 292.6 -- 11.1
DMC919 -- Yellow L -- 300.1 -- 7.5

Hope that helps a little. I had to add the dashes to keep it separated

Fri Aug 08, 2008 4:22 am

House wrote: Beautiful job on that bus Dave...

I consider myself very lucky that he was able to work on it. It turned out better than i could ever imagine. I don't think i could ever thank him enough. If i ever meet him in person i will have to kneel down and bow in the "i am not worthy" fashion.

Fri Aug 08, 2008 8:44 am

paint really woke up the commentation! I love welding them and painting them.

Fri Aug 08, 2008 6:36 pm

hansend23 wrote: paint really woke up the commentation! I love welding them and painting them.

Better you then me!! :wink:

Nice bus Alex Noel!

Fri Aug 08, 2008 9:58 pm

Is anyone hoarding a rear mango seat cover? Ive got my interior ready to go but need the back seat and a passenger front door card to complete it. Anyone noticed how all the mango stuff has dried up? Popularity can be a pain in the butt sometimes :wink:

Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:11 pm

pic of mine... still more to finish yet!!

well happy with it!! :D

Wed Aug 13, 2008 5:32 am

nice patina Split Nolan!