1963 black filler under the original paint

[Talmadge W.]

So while stripping my 63 roadster I find what looks like black filler under what appears to be the original paint. Did Chevy use this to straighten the wavy body panels? Thanks

[Wayne W.]

Re: 1963 black filler under the original paint

The original bonding material was blackish in color. Many cars will have lots of it on the surface, mainly near the doors and other areas that needed some fit and fill help. You dont see much out in the middle of panels, unless there was a repair in that area.

[John H.]

Re: 1963 black filler under the original paint

As Wayne noted, most pits and minor surface irregularities were filled with bond material, then ground and sanded. Photo below taken on the line in 1963.

[Douglas L.]

Re: 1963 black filler under the original paint

Back in 1974, I stripped a 63 coupe to the glass and found the layer of black under the paint that you are finding. At the time, I thought is was primer and I removed it. After the car was painted, I noticed the surface had a lot more waves in it. I came to the conclusion the black coating was some sort of leveling primer/filler used by the factory. I spent a lot of time after the painting trying to get the panels as level as they started. In the end, the paint looked good but the panels were more wavy. If I ever strip another 63, I would do my best to take the old paint off without removing the black under it.

[Kevin M.]

Re: 1963 black filler under the original paint

T.D

Doug has a good point if the car is not in need of body work try to save as much factory primer and filler as possible.

Kevin

[Frank C.]

Re: 1963 black filler under the original paint

T.D....my early '63 coupe had a large amount of what appeared to be bonding resin at the leading edge of the rr 1/4 panel by the door. This didn't appear to be from any previous damage, but an attempt to raise a low spot in the 1/4 panel. I probably have an old picture of it (but not digital) so I can't Email it to you, and the filler was not black in color but more of a resin looking color...Regards Frank