John Deere Blitz Black Paint

[Joe L.]

I've been hearing a lot about this product for a LONG time now. It's been touted as "nirvana" for Corvette chassis restoration painting. I first heard of it from the late Dale Pearman who, apparently, felt it was the best product available with respect to matching the original chassis finishes.

I finally decided to get some and try it. So, I found out that the local John Deere dealer did, in fact, stock it and I bought some. Then, I sprayed some test panels.

Well, I was VERY disappointed. This paint is WAY, WAY too "flat" or "low gloss" for most chassis restoration applications. It's WAY, WAY too "flat" for all painted chassis steel components. In fact, I would describe this paint as somewhere between "flat black" and "semi-flat black" with it being much closer to the "flat" with respect to lack of sheen. It might be ok for certain "blackout" areas like inner and outer fender wells, firewall, etc. I still think that it's too flat for these, but it might be ok. I really think that a semi-flat black like Krylon 1613 is better, though, and closer to the original paint used on these areas.

Now, it amy be that C1 Corvettes used a much flatter chassis black for more components than did C2 or C3. If so, then maybe the Blitz Black is right for these. However, in my opinion, it's not the right thing for many C2 or C3 applications. Even for those areas where it could be used and be ok, there are better products out there more closely resembling the degree of gloss.

In no way, at all, is the Blitz Black even similar to the old GM #1040105 as to degree of glossiness. The 1050104 was more of a medium gloss paint.

The Blitz Black is a very high quality paint, though. I'll give it that.

[Jack W.]

and John Deere stock then plummeted . . . *NM*

[John H.]

Re: John Deere Blitz Black Paint

Joe -

Dale recommended it primarily for underhood blackout (hood, inner fenders, firewall, etc.) due to its "eggshell" gloss and durability; I've used it on several cars for that application, and have been very pleased with the results.

[David Van Weele]

Re: John Deere Blitz Black Paint

Joe, I agree with you, it has a lower gloss then the original paint. The C2 chassis paint was not a paint but ashpalt emulsion protection. It was to protect the chassis while it was being shipped to the factory.

Many years ago I contacted the original supplier of the base liquid asphalt and after some while I convinced him to send me a sample. Well the minimum sample was a 55 gallon drum of the black goop. It arrived in November and by December it was cold enough in New York to really make this stuff thick. I had started to sell gallons of the coating, had labels printed and can with lids bought and purchased two 55 gallon drums of mineral spirts. Over a few weekends my son and I mixed up a little over 300 gallons, canned and glued on the labels.

I do not remember what the price was but it sold out in less then a year. I do not know what others are selling but I believe that was the last of the original chassis "paint".

[Gary B.]

Best black paint for '66 4-speed console

Can I get feedback and votes for people's preference for Blitz Black vs. Krylon 1613 vs. SEM Trim Black for a '66 black 4-speed console? I just had my console rechromed and I'm ready to paint it.

Thanks,

Gary

[Joe L.]

Re: Best black paint for '66 4-speed console

Gary-----

For that application, I would go with the SEM trim product.

[Joe L.]

Re: John Deere Blitz Black Paint

David-----

Yes, the "paint" used on the frame was an asphaltic coating rather than a paint. I believe the same stuff was used on the steering linkage. However, this coating had a "gloss" to it that far exceeds the gloss that I see in Blitz Black. It was more of a "medium gloss" and by no stretch of the imagination would I call it equivalent to a "flat black" paint. The glossiness would be expected with an asphaltic coating, too. Asphalt generally has a significant shine to it. Think about roofing tar or the tar used to patch the cracks in roads. These are, basically, pure asphalt.

Most of the other chassis components that were painted were painted in slightly different degrees of gloss, probably due to the differences in the paint used by different suppliers or the time period. However, most are ROUGHLY the degree of gloss seen in GM #1050104. Exceptions are air cleaner bases, radiators, fans, a-arms, some pullies, external voltage regulators and TI amp housings and a few other things which were all MORE-OR-LESS gloss black.

[Dick G.]

Re: Best black paint for '66 4-speed console

Since we are the subject of black paint, which paint works best for the black steering column in my 65. Dick Gutman

[Bryan L.]

Re: Best black paint for '66 4-speed console

The last can of JDBB I bought had a different spray nozzle. It didn't have the nice, wide pattern that the previous spray type of nozzles had. Anyone else notice this? That was one of the reasons I liked it was it went on nice with a wide pattern that didn't streak or have light or dry spots. I sprayed the backside of my hood and it looked like crap.

BL

[Patrick H.]

Re: Best black paint for '66 4-speed console

The same.

SEM Trim Black is an EXACT duplicate of the original sheen used on shifter consoles and, I believe, black steering columns as well.

I have used it several times with excellent results.

Patrick

[Mike M.]

Re: Best black paint for '66 4-speed console

SEM gets my vote. mike

[Gary B.]

Thanks for the SEM feedback. SEM it is. *NM*

[John G.]

Re: Best black paint for '66 4-speed console

For a rattle can paint, SEM Trim Black sprays on pretty nice too, IMO. I used it for firewall and inner fender blackout. I was happy with the degree of sheen the SEM Trim Black provided.
I sprayed a test panel using SEM Trim Black and Krylon semi-flat, #1613. The degree of sheen is very close between these two paints.
For the frame I went with Rustoleum semi-gloss, #7798 which has a bit more sheen to it than the SEM Trim Black and Krylon #1613.

John

[Art A.]

Re: John Deere Blitz Black Paint

Joe, you didn't give the JD part number of the paint that you tested, but I suspect that you MAY have gotten the wrong item. There are two JD Blitz paints available, one(JD Blitz Black,# TY25311)is flat or no gloss, and the other (JD High-Gloss Black # TY25313) is a High-Gloss Black. I have used them both, for different applications and have found them to be just as the late Dale Pearman professed........the best product available with respect to matching the original chassis finishes.

[Gary B.]

Who sells SEM Trim Black? Any national chains? *NM*