John Deere green is an iconic color that has been associated with John Deere agricultural and construction equipment for over a century. The distinctive green and yellow color scheme was first used by John Deere in the early 1900s and has been an integral part of the company’s brand identity ever since. But what exactly is the specific paint code and formula for this famous shade of green? In this article, we’ll examine the history of John Deere’s green and yellow colors, look at the official paint codes used over the years, and outline the custom mixing formulas used by John Deere and other manufacturers to replicate this iconic color.
History of John Deere Green
In the late 1800s, John Deere began painting his early steel plows with traditional farm colors like blues, reds, and oranges. However, these colors tended to fade and wear away quickly when exposed to the elements. Around 1910, Deere adopted a brighter, more durable oil-based paint using a combination of green and yellow tones. This eye-catching color scheme was a huge success and farmers began to associate the green and yellow with the John Deere brand.
For the next few decades, John Deere continued to experiment with different hues of green, mostly using various combinations of black and yellow pigments to create their signature color. In the 1930s, they settled on a dark grayish-green shade referred to as John Deere Green. This rich, charcoal-like green became the standard for all John Deere equipment by 1935 and remains their base color to this day. However, there have been several official variations of the green paint code over the years as paint technology has evolved.
Official John Deere Paint Codes
Here are some of the official paint codes used by John Deere over the decades:
– 1930s-1940s: John Deere Green – No specific paint code, custom mixed by hand.
– 1950s-1960s: JD Green – DuPont Duco paint 42625 Lacquer.
– 1970s-1980s: John Deere Green – Ditzler DDL-24997 or PPG DT1436 Lacquer.
– 1980s-1990s: John Deere Green – Ditzler 9348285 or PPG 725233.
– 2000s-Present: New Generation John Deere Green – PPG Variant Ditzler 9348285.
While the basic John Deere green color has remained relatively consistent, the exact paint formulations used have changed over time as new types of coatings and pigments were developed. The early, hand-mixed batches lacked an official paint code and varied somewhat batch to batch. Later, as industrial paint companies like DuPont and PPG Supply began working with John Deere, more standardized paint codes and mixing formulas were introduced. These enable modern John Deere green paint to be mixed consistently anywhere in the world.
| Decade | Paint Code | Mix Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1930s-1940s | None | Hand-mixed |
| 1950s-1960s | DuPont Duco 42625 | Lacquer |
| 1970s-1980s | Ditzler DDL-24997 | Lacquer |
| 1980s-1990s | Ditzler 9348285 | Enamel |
| 2000s-Present | PPG Variant Ditzler 9348285 | Polyurethane |
This table summarizes the different official John Deere paint codes used over time. While the actual green color changed subtly, the paint technology improved from early lacquer to more modern polyurethane coatings.
Modern John Deere Green Mixing Formulas
Today, while John Deere keeps their exact paint formulas secret, there are several reputable mixing recipes that you can use to closely match the iconic John Deere green:
– **PPG DT1436** – This code can still be mixed at many PPG paint supply stores. It matches the 1970-80s John Deere green. Mixing ratio: 4 parts PPG 5999 Green, 1 part PPG 5918 Yellow, 1 part PPG 5400 Black.
– **Ditzler 9348285** – The 1980-90s JD green formula. Mixing ratio: 2 oz PPG 1255 White, 1 oz PPG 8402 Green, and 0.5 oz PPG 8072 Black per pint of paint.
– **DUPONT 25000 and 25003** – Mix 3 parts 25000 Green polyurethane with 1 part 25003 Yellow.
– **RM/BASF U15000 and U18000** – Mix 3 parts U15000 Green with 1 part U18000 Yellow.
Any major paint brand can mix these formulas for you to match the John Deere colors quite closely. Be sure to specify a gloss or satin polyurethane enamel.
Matching John Deere Green with Rustoleum
For DIY paint jobs, Rustoleum rattle cans provide an easy way to get close to the John Deere green color:
– Rustoleum Gloss Hunter Green 215890 – This is the closest standard color match available.
– Rustoleum Painter’s Touch 2X Flat John Deere Green – A good flat green also available premixed.
– Custom mix Rustoleum Flat Camouflage colors – Mix 3 parts Flat Dark Green, 1 part Flat Earth Yellow, and 1 part Flat Brown to create a custom flat JD green.
While not an exact match, these Rustoleum options can give you the unmistakable look of John Deere green without having the exact paint codes.
Matching Yellows and Creams
In addition to the iconic green, John Deere also uses coordinating shades of yellow or cream. These often appear on trim pieces, logos, or wheel hubs. Here are some recommendations:
– Canary Yellow – PPG 710830 or DuPont 25323 or RM U22960.
– Cream/Ochre – PPG 707334 or DuPont 24675 or RM U19998.
Use these codes with paint suppliers to match the coordinating yellow and cream shades seen on John Deere equipment.
Conclusion
While John Deere green has remained remarkably consistent over 100+ years, the exact paint codes and mixing formulas have evolved across different eras and paint technologies. From early hand-mixed lacquers to today’s polyurethane coatings, John Deere uses complex formulas to create their distinctive green. For the best historical accuracy, reference the original codes like PPG DT1436 or Ditzler 9348285. For convenience, Rustoleum rattle cans provide good standardized color matches. With the paint codes and mixing ratios outlined here, you can now authentically recreate John Deere’s iconic green and yellow equipment colors.
