1956 ready for paint but what goes where?

[Bud Baker]

Hello. I am sure that the question in the subject line is quite confussingbut, I have a 1956 that will soon be, Black with Silver Coves and Red interior. Question number one. Top side of Pan that covers the gas tank. What was its color? Black same as car, Red to match Interior? or??
Question number two. Was the Paint used on the back or underside of the Dexk lid same as the car, gloss or was it a Semi or Flat Black? Question number three, Isn't the floor boards just an overspray of the black? and lastly, I have restored the bows and now need the weatherstriping, etc. Find that they show it for '57's on up, but not the '56. Isn't the '56 exactly the same as the '57??

[Dennis C.]

Re: 1956 ready for paint but what goes where?

Bud:

Convertible top storage area, all painted interior color.
Trunk & interior lid, same as interior color. Just lacquer, nothing added.
Floorboards will be a combo of exterior & interior overspray & then covered by the seats and carpet. DC

[Roy B.]

Re: 1956 ready for paint but what goes where?

Body paint on trunk black goes over the edges and stops under the trunk weatherstripping.
Body paint on enterior lid goes over the edges and stops at the radius or where it starts to curve
Body paint black is split at the dash ends facing you ( dash red body black)
Body paint black goes over the hood also to the radius then smi-black under the hood
I had a 57 black and red enterior,single carb, 3 speed, no radio or heater and hard top only with black tires. Never srewed with all original with black cove.

[James F.]

Re: 1956 - Weatherstripping

Bud,
All your other questions have been answered. Yes '56 &'57 top weatherstripping were very close to being identical (minor unseen differencees on front bow w/s). The original weatherstripping around the window area were cloth (bowdrill) covered. The repro weatherstripping is not covered with bowdrill. The repro installs like the '58 and later w/s was installed. The '56 & '57 w/s can be made to look 100% original, but it is a LOT of work. Regards,

[Robert L.]

Re: 1956 ready for paint but what goes where?

Bud,

The upper dash board is black, but it has a 20% flatener added to the paint so it is not high gloss.

Bob Lemke

MCMLVII

[Roy B.]

Re: 1956 - Weatherstripping

Soft top weatherstripping at the header ORIGINALLY was a sponge rubber one piece unit that also continued over the top of the window, that no one repro's. from 56 to 60 that is the reason they leek water and fit poorly.