PMG (post master general) paint

Hi,

getting back to the actual question about paint codes.....

Would the the PMG have ordered the vehicles to come from the factory already in their shade of red or were they painting them after delivery? If it is the former then then they would each have their own code for the same red I would have thought and mentioned with the IH colour code earlier.

Terry

Terry

If the paint was to a large corporate order ie PMG, Army or Department of Supply it probably was as a paint code belonging to the customer not a GM/Ford etc renamed code.

The Army ones from the 40-70 period had Dulux Codes - DU123 etc stamped on the ID plates while the GMH civilian vehicles on the same line had their GM colour such as SPBG = Sports Beige or whatever colour. I think an original PMG vehicle would have their corporate Dulux (or whatever paint company) code on the plate.

The International Harvester Red matching the PMG red and being renamed I have my doubts. It may be very close but I will have a look to see if it is different as I bet PMG red was an exclusive registered formula.

Here is the Australian Standard registered PMG/Australia Post Red

A breakdown of the key points:

• Standard: The color is defined within the Australian Standard 2700. 
• Name: It's known as "R13 Signal Red" or "Post-Box Red". 
• Use: It's a solid red color often used for water pipelines as part of a fire-system. 
• RGB Values: The RGB values for R13 Signal Red are 182, 38, 21. 
• Hex Code: The HEX code is #B62615. 
• LRV: The LRV for R13 Signal Red is 11.37. 

International Harvester Mt Newman Red is not the same as Post Office Red. It has a different formula not just different name.

 International Mt Newman Red is a shade of red paint that is often described as a dark, rich, or burgundy-leaning red.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
General Description: It's a deep, saturated red, not a light or pastel shade.
Similar Shades: Some might describe it as a crimson red or a shade of burgundy.
Use Cases: This color is commonly used in industrial applications, particularly for machinery and equipment, as it is a durable and high-visibility color.
Color Matching: If you need to match this color, you can refer to the color code or sample provided by International Paint or a similar paint manufacturer.
Other Names: You might also see this color referred to as "Mount Newman Red" or "Mt Newman Red".



Here is the Dulux (and any other paint company) Australian Standard colour chart. Any person may mix any of these colours exactly for whatever purpose. Variations may often be registered colours requiring approval before using for any commercial purpose other than repairs to the original car/ refrigerator etc.

Caution; Paint manufacturers may often have different names for the same colour so the only thing to go by is either the Australian Standard number or the paint code number. An example of the same colour and same manufacturer is Tartan Red for Mini's and Champion Red for MGB same colour code different name. Likewise GMH vehicles produced for PMG.
900 is the in-house GM-H code (or combination number) for a car painted Mercury Red all over (Mercury was the messenger for the gods hence the PMG paint colour. Mercury was a Ford brand of car and GM certainly were not referring to that) . 0046 is the Dulux formula code for the paint itself.

www.duluxprotectivecoatings.com.au/colours/as2700/

Here is the E-Paint Chart from UK showing Australian Standard - exactly the same as the Dulux Chart.

www.e-paint.co.uk/Australian-standard-colour-chart.asp

Spotted this Valiant ute at the recent "Chrysler on the Murray" show still in its original PMG livery.
If you zoom in on the door and rear quarter you can see the GVM etc details.

   

Signal red was the colour I used on Indian motorbikes ..its a very bright red with a touch of orange ......It looks really good on 1920s Indians with Yellow lining on tank and guards ,and nickle plated cylinders ............However ,its quite a bit brighter than the PMG vehicle red

If the IH code is on the data plate ,I have a PMG Inter in the yard ,and I can look

John

I think we do not remember the PMG/Post Box/Signal Red as it appeared on brand new PMG vehicles. Modern AusPost vehicles still use the same colour but the old red paint was the worst colour for long life and started to deteriorate from day one so a lot of memories are of a duller colour. New two pack of course is much more long lasting and UV resistant.

When on the afore mentioned trip around Europe we were in Portugal and a Bedford rigid slid around a corner and clobbered the Volvo rigid in front of the VW, If that Volvo wasn't there I wouldn't be making this post. I was in the passenger's seat which on a right hand drive vehicle on the right hand side of the road it isn't a good spot.

maybe that's why I have a soft spot for Volvo trucks. Hate the cars,

My 1978 Dulux car paint book has, under International:
I.H.A. P.O. Red 04237 (for enamel, I think that would be 393-02347) codes shown are 10, 115 and 116 (would be stamped on the tag on the left door).
Under Chrysler Australia, it shows 09751. Who knows!
Some time ago, a list of the fleet colours was posted (here?). I remember seeing Otis Green on it (I work for Otis).
Another edit - found it - Mercury Red 586-0046, so a very early colour number. 586 in this case refers to Dulon acrylic lacquer.

Jarrod.
   

Here is the badge of the Australian Army Signals Corps featuring Mercury, Messenger to the Gods which the PMG colour is named after.

Unfortunately the years have gone by and Australia Post still talk about Mercury but he is now using a walking frame.