56-57 cove painting

[Mike E.]

Body color first, then cove color over body color, right?
The end of the cove color is at the center of the wheelwell opening?
It's painted with the door closed?
how is the cowl area between the fender and the door protected? Masked how far and what pattern on the jamb? Masked where and what pattern on the front of the door?
thanks for the help--want to help friend get it right.

[Mark S.]

Re: 56-57 cove painting

Mike:

My 56 is not here at this time; however, when I stripped the paint, there was evidence that the arctic blue body color was painted first and the silver cove was painted second. This will a least get the discussion started.

Mark

[Joel M.]

Re: 56-57 cove painting

Can anyone speculate percentages shipped two-tone vs single color.

[Mike E.]

Re: 56-57 cove painting

My speculation: in 1956 1477 out of 3467 and in 1957 3,026 out of 6339.
i based my "speculation" on GM numbers in the NCRS spec guide.

[Mark S.]

Re: 56-57 cove painting

Mike:

According to Mike Hunt's Corvette Exterior Colors & Paint data from his research, which he got from Chevrolet's records with assistance from Noland Adams: There were 1,286 ( 37%) 1956 Corvettes with painted coves and 2,874 (45.3%) 1957 Corvettes with painted coves. There is a further break down by color in his research report.

Mark

[David B.]

Re: 56-57 cove painting

Actual GM production records: 1956 2,208 single tone, 1,259 two tone. 1957: 3,542 single tone, 2,797 two tone. (3 special either/or) If you want breakdown by color number, can provide.

[Bob B.]

Re: 56-57 cove painting

Hi All,

Painted coves I've seen were painted body color first. Same for the faux air scoops on 58-60 cars (not masked because the trim covered the edges). Main painting first, then the details. Doors were shut and almost no paint gets into the space between door and jamb as long as you are not directly spraying into it. I put paper (which, you know the factory didn't) behind the space to prevent it getting on the jamb when I sprayed the cove and nothing even got on it. On the fender lip, the cove paint goes about to the middle and it was masked forward.

Bob

[Mark S.]

Re: 56-57 cove painting

According to Mike Hunt's data: Painted coves: Onyx Black/Silver 56 223, 57 989; Venetian Red/Beige 56 431, 57 716: Polo White/Silver 56 128, 57 319; Cascade Green/Beige 56 166; 57 319; Aztec Copper/Beige 56 166, 57 263; Arctic Blue/Silver 56 172, 57 258; Inca Silver/Ivory 56 0, 57 10; Special 56 0, 57 3.