Gloss Level

[Dan D.]

Got an easy one this morning. What is the gloss level suppose to be for the black upper speaker grill in my 57? Thanks. Getting ready to paint it. -Dan-

[Jack H.]

Re: Gloss Level

Typically, interior parts that were located such that they could reflect light into the driver's eyes, were relatively low gloss (0-5% range). Some of the on-line paint houses have 'page 2' data (paint blend codes beyond just the exterior paints used) that actually define BOTH the blend code and the specific gloss factor used on this/that interior component.

I haven't checked what's available for a '57 Chevy, but you can. Try autocolorlibrary.com...

[Dan D.]

Re: Gloss Level

Thanks Jack, I am going to paint it semigloss. -Dan-

[Bruce B.]

Re: Gloss Level

The new judging guide calls for "dull black" for the black speaker grills.
I did mine flat black which looks similar to many cars I have looked at.

[Dan D.]

Re: Gloss Level

Okay Bruce, thanks. I will do flat black. -Dan-

[Steven B.]

Re: Gloss Level

Dan, I have had my '57 since '64 and the grill has the original paint on it. Mine is a semi-gloss, not flat.

Steve

[Dan D.]

Re: Gloss Level

OK, then I will paint one side of it semi-gloss and the other side flat. One has to have a little humor once in a while. -Dan-

[Jack H.]

Re: Gloss Level

The problem here is defining gloss in 'rattle can' terms (semi-gloss, demi-gloss, semi-flat, Etc.). It's possible to wind up like ships passing each other during the night!

That's why pro painters define gloss in technical terms (%-gloss or gloss factor). Like I said earlier, those paint houses that post the color chips & blend codes for various years, makes, models often have 'page two' information available which cites the various interior component and the blend codes used along with the applicable gloss factors.

Most, cite 0-5% gloss figures for interior components which is in keeping with wanting to reduce reflected 'glare'... What's %-gloss/gloss factor mean?

Well, there are different standards for measuring, but essentially a calibrated light source is used to illuminate the painted surface and a pre-defined surface area receiver, measures the amount of light reflected from that surface.

100% would indicate ALL of the incident light is reflected (full gloss) while 0% indicates the opposite (virtually no light reflected). Anything in between, which is almost always the case, can be textually described as semi-gloss and/or semi-flat.

So, without the actual gloss factor definition, you don't really know where you are in the gloss spectrum, eh?

[Dan D.]

Re: Gloss Level

Thanks for the education Jack. I am thinking of painting it POR15 blackout paint. That appears to the naked eye to be somewhere between flat and semi-gloss. That paint is very durable and UV resistant. -Dan-

[John H.]

Re: Gloss Level

I am thinking of painting it POR15 blackout paint. That appears to the naked eye to be somewhere between flat and semi-gloss. That paint is very durable and UV resistant. -Dan-

Dan -

That must be a different formulation than their black frame and chassis paint, which is NOT UV-resistant and must be topcoated with something that is.

[Dan D.]

Re: Gloss Level

Hi John,
POR-15 paint is very UV sensitive. I top coat it with their chassis coat black. Chassis coat black is a top coating applied over POR-15. It is satin (or semi-gloss - what ever you want to call it) like the POR-15, but is UV stabilized and is designed to provide a stable blackout finish on chassis's, fiberglass, etc. I used this on my frame, engine compartment, and under hood. It looks good and is suppose to be very durable. Time will tell on this one, but I think it is going to be okay. I am going to do the speaker grill the same way but right now we are in the midst of a heat wave here in Western NY, so I am going to wait until it cools off some to shoot it.

Hope everyone had a good and safe 4th. We did - just got back in town last night.

Thanks for your help and advise John. -Dan-