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Woody3



Member Since: 13 Jan 2010
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 415
United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Bronze Green
What colour is (was) my Defender?
I'm respraying the Defender, but struggling a fair bit in regards to what colour it was originally.

I've just been to a paint shop for a colour match, but the paint is too faded to give a definitive answer. The chap was leaning towards Bronze Green, but I have reservations about this being the right colour, as I don't believe this was available in 1989? Ive always been lead to believe it's either Eastnor or Olive Green.

I know it is difficult to tell from a photo, but what are your thoughts?


Click image to enlarge


Cheers!
Post #560217 31st Aug 2016 12:23pm
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shaggydog



Member Since: 12 Aug 2012
Location: Kent
Posts: 3347
United Kingdom 1991 Defender 110 200 Tdi USW Arles Blue
Best way is to take a swab from the inside on the seat box or bulkhead under a matt or trim piece as the outside can fade all sorts of funny ways. Running Restoration Thread http://www.defender2.net/forum/post323197.html#323197

Self confessed mileage hunter Very Happy
Post #560221 31st Aug 2016 12:28pm
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Ramsay



Member Since: 30 Sep 2015
Location: Moffat, Dumfries & Galloway
Posts: 632
Scotland 1995 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Auto Keswick Green
The vehicle VIN plate should include a colour code.
IMHO looks like Coniston Green with some weathering. 1995 Defender 110 CSW
1971 SIIA Lightweight
Post #560227 31st Aug 2016 12:38pm
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couplands



Member Since: 31 Aug 2011
Location: Peak District & Cornwall
Posts: 1826
United Kingdom 2001 Defender 90 Td5 HT Oslo Blue
I believe that the VIN code may be able to tell you the colour.

http://landroverforums.com/forum/vindecoder.php

cheers

simon
Post #560229 31st Aug 2016 12:44pm
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Retroanaconda



Member Since: 04 Jan 2012
Location: Scotland
Posts: 2694
Scotland 
Land Rover didn't start putting the colour code on the VIN plate until the mid-Td5 era.
Post #560230 31st Aug 2016 12:46pm
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Woody3



Member Since: 13 Jan 2010
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 415
United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Bronze Green
Thanks for the replies chaps.

Yes, the VIN plate is blank where the colour code should go unfortunately.

We tried finding a match on the inside of the car but were none the wiser Crying or Very sad

ETA I too thought Coniston green but when we put it side by side they were nothing a like, to my surprise

Hmm maybe I should just go with a shade of LR green that takes my fancy...
Post #560239 31st Aug 2016 1:12pm
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Woody3



Member Since: 13 Jan 2010
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 415
United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Bronze Green
p.s. it doesn't help that I'm mildly colourblind as well! Laughing
Post #560243 31st Aug 2016 1:21pm
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dorsetsmith



Member Since: 30 Oct 2011
Location: South West
Posts: 4554
https://www.defender2.net/gallery/albums/u...0Codes.pdf
Post #560259 31st Aug 2016 2:42pm
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Matt90



Member Since: 12 Jun 2016
Location: Leicester
Posts: 142
United Kingdom 1990 Defender 90 2.5 TD HT Bronze Green
Spent ages trying to find the colour for mine, as like yours mine is a van and therefore has no colour code on the vin plate,
Mine looks identical to yours and was pretty much just as faded, I was surprised at how he came up with a quick once over with the buffer

Before

Click image to enlarge


After


Click image to enlarge

Took the rear inside light cover off and left it with leicester central paints to match,
He narrowed it down to Eastnor Green which after painting the new rear door was a perfect match




Click image to enlarge
Post #560272 31st Aug 2016 4:15pm
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Woody3



Member Since: 13 Jan 2010
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 415
United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Bronze Green
Dorsetsmith - that chart is perfect - thank you!

Matt - I think you've just solved it! The resemblance is uncanny.

Initially, I was also hoping to only spray my new rear door and galv'd cappings and match in to the existing paintwork.

I've actually got my mates buffer in the garage! What cutting agent did you use (if any)? No harm in giving it a go!
Post #560329 31st Aug 2016 7:41pm
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Matt90



Member Since: 12 Jun 2016
Location: Leicester
Posts: 142
United Kingdom 1990 Defender 90 2.5 TD HT Bronze Green
Bit of G3 from Halfords, I was surprised how quick it cleaned up
Post #560362 31st Aug 2016 8:49pm
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Woody3



Member Since: 13 Jan 2010
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 415
United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Bronze Green
Thanks Matt - I was hoping to crack on with it today, but its been raining all day here. Fingers crossed, I'll get chance to do it tomorrow and will report back.
Post #561170 3rd Sep 2016 9:19pm
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Woody3



Member Since: 13 Jan 2010
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 415
United Kingdom 1989 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Bronze Green
After a quick (and well needed) polish with some cutting wax and a visit back to the paint shop, we concluded that it is/was Eastnor Green! Thanks to all that helped! Thumbs Up

Bit of a difference...


Click image to enlarge
Post #561822 6th Sep 2016 11:25am
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mk1collector



Member Since: 17 Sep 2009
Location: West Yorkshire
Posts: 6772
England 2004 Defender 110 Td5 CSW Bonatti Grey
Trouble is you've got to polish the whole thing now Rolling with laughter Ray
My build thread
http://www.defender2.net/forum/topic17615.html
Post #561876 6th Sep 2016 3:10pm
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Matt90



Member Since: 12 Jun 2016
Location: Leicester
Posts: 142
United Kingdom 1990 Defender 90 2.5 TD HT Bronze Green
Looks spot on, proper LR colour, keep going, if its anything like mine the deeper scratches and dents add character you need on a 90 van 👍
Post #561911 6th Sep 2016 4:29pm
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