Difference between Radiant and Colorado reds?

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-B-

Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2009
Messages
209
It looks like Radiant might be a slightly mellower red? Like it’s faded in the sun slightly? It’s difficult distinguishing in photos, because they’re different photos, taken with different cameras, etc. I did find this photo, which is just one photo, where judging by the reg plate, it’s a Radiant Puma fitted with maybe a Colorado boot lid?

gallery6459179631.jpg


For some reason the Radiant is appealing to me more, but maybe because they nearly all(?) come fitted with the cooler propeller wheels. Maybe I could live with the bolder Colorado if I did a wheel swap... There’s certainly more Colorado’s for sale to choose from.

The Radiant to Colorado change happened in 2000? Yet this November 1999 registered Puma looks like Colorado, but again it might just be the camera distorting the hue?

gallery157701647552.jpg
 
I do like Colorado Red I once had a brand new Fiesta Zetec S in that colour! Reds red a Colorado one will be newer so will be more likely to have less rust etc
 
Might also come down to which car is tidier and at the right price, fitting a set of Props isn't a big problem, probably wouldn't even end up costing you anything once you've sold the 9 spokes.
 
dont forget that red is 1 of the worst colours for paint fade,and depends how its been looked after,where its been parked out in the sun etc,no 2 cars will look the same colour red tho
 
martinthrapston said:
dont forget that red is 1 of the worst colours for paint fade,and depends how its been looked after,where its been parked out in the sun etc,no 2 cars will look the same colour red tho
I might be wrong, but isn’t faded red an old issue, associated with single stage paint jobs of old? I’m presuming both Radiant and Colorado are two-stage, with a clear-coat over the top?
 
I had a red one, 2000/W and it looked gorgeous, I can only assume it had been waxed or polished or whatever you detailer folk do, but the paint was fantastic.
 
Ian G said:
I had a red one, 2000/W and it looked gorgeous, I can only assume it had been waxed or polished or whatever you detailer folk do, but the paint was fantastic.
Yours was a Colorado, Ian? Have you got a set props for sale? Maybe I could p/ex, if it comes to it?
 
-B- said:
martinthrapston said:
dont forget that red is 1 of the worst colours for paint fade,and depends how its been looked after,where its been parked out in the sun etc,no 2 cars will look the same colour red tho
I might be wrong, but isn’t faded red an old issue, associated with single stage paint jobs of old? I’m presuming both Radiant and Colorado are two-stage, with a clear-coat over the top?
Ford were still using single stage paints in 2000, certainly the solid yellow that was used on the Millennium was a single stage paint.
 
red said:
Mmmm I vaguely recall that the original red wasn't lacquered.
All car paints since the early 90s have been water based '2 pack' paints that all need a clearcoat lacquer top coat hence the 2 pack name if it didn't have the lacquer it would wash off when it rained!
 
I was pretty sure Zinc Yellow and Radiant Red were solid flat paints which didn't get lacquered, I have nothing to substantiate this though.
 
red said:
I was pretty sure Zinc Yellow and Radiant Red were solid flat paints which didn't get lacquered, I have nothing to substantiate this though.
Any non-metallic, non-mica, non-pearl paint pre 2005 was not laqured by ford
oilburner said:
red said:
Mmmm I vaguely recall that the original red wasn't lacquered.
All car paints since the early 90s have been water based '2 pack' paints that all need a clearcoat lacquer top coat hence the 2 pack name if it didn't have the lacquer it would wash off when it rained!
First water based paint in production was toyota in 1999, ford didn't move to non voc paints to 2005 and then only USA, with europe and the rest of the world (ford ) in 2006, and vauhhall(gm) a year later.
Also laquer dosen't prevent paint fade, it just massively delays the onset.

In addition "2pack" paints in the 90s were all acrylic based, not water, and would not wash off in the rain.
 
Thanks for the info, guys :cool: So from what you’re saying, mix2000, neither Radiant or Colorado were clear-coated on the Puma, just single stage?

mix2000 said:
Any non-metallic, non-mica, non-pearl paint pre 2005 was not laqured by ford
 
Ford only introduced their version of "earth saving" paint in 2005, so the only way they would, is if they were resprayed. however there were a few one offs in all manufacturers.
I remember spraying a ford escort in the early 90s the colour was called "Laquer Red", however it was a flat paint and no laquer was used. Did actually confuse a few bodywork guys :-D
 
The best way of telling, is to give the car a vigorous buffing of t-cut, in a small area with a white polishing cloth.
If you have a red residue, its not laquered. If no colour is left in the cloth, its laquered.
 
Thanks. Mix2000, you wouldn’t by chance be able to confirm the colour of V799HWC? I’ve tried Etis and it recognises the car but doesn’t state whether Radiant or Colorado.

-B- said:

That's the red I've got to have! :cool: (no matter what state of fade it's in)

mix2000 said:
The best way of telling, is to give the car a vigorous buffing of t-cut, in a small area with a white polishing cloth.
If you have a red residue, its not laquered. If no colour is left in the cloth, its laquered.

Yep, knew that already, thanks :wink:
 

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