Paint for a 82 Frame

[Mike R.]

What is a good source for the correct frame and wheel well paint for 1982?

Thanks

Mike

[Chuck S.]

Re: Paint for a 82 Frame

Mike, it sounds like you are detailing your frame. For that purpose, the easiest thing to do in my opinion is use locally available spray cans in semi-gloss black or satin.

You can buy paint from vendors that is labeled as being specifically for the frame or chassis parts, but the biggest difference from Home Depot spray cans is...the price. I have no confidence that any vendor knows for certain what gloss the frame should be (probably a range of glosses on original cars), or that judges can confidently say exactly what is an exact duplicate of original. Even if a judge has a problem with the gloss in judging, the deduct should be small.

Several brands have been recommended as the best match, such as John Deere Blitz Black and Krylon ???? (I forget the number). Some of us know that the Krylon has more tendency to run, and deal with it. In my opinion, for frame-on detailing, there is no magic bullet...I would use a well-known quality brand that worked best for me. JMHO.

[Wayne P.]

Re: Paint for a 82 Frame

Your typical semi-flat black is not correct for the 82. It has sort of a waxy like finish that I have not been able to duplicate. Minor touch up will work with the typical spray can.

[Michael H.]

Re: Yes, key word being "waxy"

Wayne,

You are absolutely correct on the "waxy". Some time in the early/mid 70's, the chassis coating was changed from petroleum base to a paraffin base and the result was a somewhat different look than in previous years. It was a bit less glossy and even a tad dark grey instead of the typical black found on earlier production cars. The two reasons given by engineering were cost reduction (primary) and the fact that the wax coating would tend to rebound and reseal areas where rocks hit the chassis during operation.

I have some great close-up pic's (here somewhere) of the color and comparison of it to other black suspension components. The chassis black is visibly more grey but one other reason for the difference is the fact that the frames were transported many miles by rail and the diesel oil coating from train mixed with the dust and dirt made them look a bit less glossy. Also, some stayed outside of the Smith facility, the point of manufacture, and were quite dirty by the time they were shipped to St. Louis. If it was raining during shipping, the frames were really a mess by the time they arrived at the plant.

Michael

[Chuck S.]

My Mistake...

Serves me right for trying to extend my limited knowledge beyond it's application.

In the plants, we used a black paint for cooling tower pumps called "coal tar epoxy"...it was not a typical epoxy paint in that it didn't dry hard, and had characteristics as described. It could have been that type paint, or the waxy coating Ziebart used to spray inside body panels as rustproofing...it also had a self-healing tendency.

[Don S.]

Re: Paint for a 82 Frame

Nice responses so far but no answer yet--someone must know.

[Michael H.]

Re: Pic from the 1981 assy line

New 1981 frame at St Louis showing difference between control arm and frame color.

[Michael H.]

Re: Pic from the 1981 assy line

This may be a bit difficult to see in the picture but there is a big difference in color between the frame and the control arm. The control arm is absolute black but the frame is closer to a dark grey. This is a brand new frame at station one at the St. Louis assy plant in about 1980 or 81. Compare the control arm color to the color on the vertical sections of the frame. (the horizontal areas of the frame are covered in goonk from outside storage and transportation to the plant)

I have to wonder if paraffin base chassis black is available from any suppliers today? It would be correct for the early/mid 70's and later cars, at least to the end of production in the 80's. Think the change was SOP 1974 but I'm not sure.

[Tom R.]

Re: Yes, key word being "waxy"

Michael:

Doing some research on frame paint, I've read it described as a black asphaltic type of paint...is this what you reference as early 70's and petrolum based?

[Michael H.]

Re: Yes, key word being "waxy"

Tom,

I should have used "asphaltic", or "tar based", instead of the word petroleum, to describe the 73 and earlier coating. It would have been more accurate. That was exactly what the source of the product called it as I remember.

I have a better picture of the paraffin coating and I'll post it soon.

Michael

[Michael H.]

Re: Better Pic of Frame paint *NM*

[Michael H.]

Better Picture of Frame Paint

This shot more clearly shows the real "grey" color of the Paraffin coating. I originally took this picture to show the molten drip from a welding process on a new 1981 frame at the St. Louis plant.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Paint for a 82 Frame

John Deer sells a black plow coat that never dries. In NCRS judging the frame crossmember and stencil only have 13 points originality on my sheets. Paint would be 20% or 2.6 if you lost it all so if it is black I would think 2 points would be on the high end for paint. I would like to know what a powder coated frame loses. If the car a Bowtie canidate no paint should be added.Lyle

[Chuck S.]

Re: Yes, key word being "waxy"

Michael, from my 70 frame, I would disagree that early 70s were "asphaltic" based. My understanding is that the "asphaltic" based paint was used on midyears, and probably ended after 67. The subsequent paint was thinner and dried harder. After about 72, I obviously have no idea what paint was used.

I just helped a friend carry his 67 frame to the sand-blaster yesterday. His frame had a heavy, crusty paint residue all over making it impossible to read any stamped numers or symbols without considerable brushing and cleaning. I presumed this to be the "asphaltic" paint I have heard about. Stamped numbers and symbols on my 70 frame, by contrast, were easily readable with little cleaning, and the paint was not soluble in typical solvents.

I have heard the paint on 68-72 frames called "Ducolux", but I am not sure that is correct since that was also the name of the paint on Henry's Model A. I even bought a gallon of something offered as GENYEWINE NOS frame paint from a small vendor. It went on like any other enamel, but it was still tacky after a week. Perhaps this was truly 25-year-old NOS paint that had lost the volatiles and only goo remained. I finally gave up on it curing, wiped it off with mineral spirits, and licked my wounds.

[Mike R.]