Hi Guys,

I went to Elstree Empire day a while back with My bro and Jeremy (gonk27) and we got chatting to Ron Punter, Vader painter and we got a chance to photograph a nice production made helmet he had with him and we asked, OK we didn't ask..... Jeremy did! about what paint he used on Vader......




And he said.............................

So ............................. is the real paint?
Wow, never thought it would be this brand.
Great catch man, congrats

OK, so I don't know the exact codes yet as Ron never told us that, but what we do know is that he used stock "Rolls Royce" paint. So now all we have to do is track down the correct codes and year and we have our answer........

yeah there are a couple of options.. one colour shade in particular seems like a strong contender but I need to narrow down the options a bit more first!

The ones I've found that on some sites list them as being within the right time frame - prior to or around '76 - are:

Black Pearl
Color Code # 9500530

Black
Color Code # 9500701

If anyone finds anything closer that would be cool.

At my local auto paint store I got the equivalent MOTIP colors to those color codes - I like the black, but haven't tested the black pearl, which in the MOTIP line is called Gunmetal. I haven't tried ordering a custom mix of the correct color, as that was more expensive and I just didn't have the cash for it.

Also found a Rolls Royce color called Pewter - color code # 9510371, from 1975-1977 - but that one was discontinued, so even if it IS the right color, you cannot have it made anymore, according to the auto paint store clerk I talked to. That one will give a slight graphite / steel look with a nice sheen to it and when buffed it will be a lot brighter.

I know those would be good for Empire, but what about ANH,
I personally over my years of collecting vintage paints have found for ANH that Floquil RR enamels, satin black and the silver are very good likeness,
the silver reanimates the black so you start in the nose it looks silver then on the cheeks its tends to mix a bit giving it a gun metal silver look and buy the time youve done the mask dome and chin there looks to be a few different shades,
These paints were used by ILM back then so its a possibility

Could this be the "Black Pearl"? (Hood and Roof)
http://www.rrsilvershadow.com/EGall/ERRSS1967SRH2974.htm

Unfortunately the color only is mentioned as "Grey".

Full Site: http://www.rrsilvershadow.com/EGall/GallRR.htm

Or this...

http://files.conceptcarz.com/img/Rolls-Royce/66_Rolls-Royce_Phantom_JamesYoung_DV_06_PBI_01.jpg

Or even this ....

This would certainly explain why the black on Vader is such a rich dark black....very cool.

Interesting...now to find paint samples!!

Yeah, but ILM didn't paint Vader.

Ahh ok see I didnt know that,

I hope this is just rumor , from 1966 to 1979 Rolls Royce used a paint made by Mason. It was called "masons black" the color code on it was LB 31819 ...... It was GAWD AWFUL stuff , it was a lacquer. It was very prone to cracking and wasnt very durable. Could be the reason why all the original Darth Vader helmets look abused and like the went through Vietnam. It doesnt really matter though , Mason paints went out of business years ago. Rolls Royce swapped to BASF paint in the 80s.

Do anyone know if the BASF Black - color code: E66K005 - looks similar to the Mason's Black?