EarlyCJ5.com Technical Library

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Dauntless V6 Engine Paint Color

Finding a match with today's paints

Finding an exact or even close match to the original color that Kaiser used on the 225 V6 has proved to be an elusive task. There is at least one paint kit available from POR15 that is "Buick Blue-Green" but it is reported to be too dark. Detroit Diesel “Alpine Green” is also commonly used, but has subtle color variation and lacks the Dauntless metallic luster.

Hampstead Green, Close Enough?

Duplicolor part number 88-00906, Color code BG11M “Hampstead Green,” was used during the 1980-81 Honda model years. The paint is not an exact match, but its similarity to the original and wide availability make it an appealing alternative. It is close enough that, with the whole engine painted, very few would be able to distinguish it from the original color. It has the slight metallic sheen that the stock Dauntless paint did and comes very close to matching the original color.

WYOMIKE shows us the middle strip in the new and on each side is the old (original paint).

Jayhawkclint's freshly painted engine in Honda Hampstead Green.

Dauntless in the original factory green color.

 

The question was raised about the durability of the paint with the engine temperatures. However, this paint should easily stay put at engine temps, the only part of the engine that should be reaching anything over 200° F is the exhaust passage on the intake and the exhaust manifolds. most paints can take well over 200° F without damage.

The quest continues...

Despite the close match of the Hampsted Green some members are still pursuing the exact match for restoration purposes. This article will be updated as this continues.

Elsewhere on the web see

Dauntless Engine Enamel Paint a thread in the restoration section of the forum.

Dauntless V6 Engine Paint, discussion in the Jeepster Commando Club of America's Forum on Dauntless engine paint colors.

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Jayhawkclint, Beeser, WYOMIKE, and $ sink for researching this topic. I've not mentioned everyone here that is/was involved in the thread in this forum but most of the information and the photos came from these sources.