Asphalt Coating Prior to Body Drop

[Tom H.]

Re: Asphalt Coating Prior to Body Drop

Probably...if you have one. I'm not that fortunate. I'd want a sheet of plastic on the floor if I did.

For sure.!

[Philip C.]

Re: Asphalt Coating Prior to Body Drop

HI Jeff, I say build your car the way you want it. I like to see people get into and do their own work on their restorations. I think you need to do a little more research and look at some orig cars, before I would do what your planning here. Do you know WHEN and WHERE the photos you want to copy were taken? Phil 8063

[Michael H.]

Re: Asphalt Coating Prior to Body Drop

Once my chassis is put back together I plan on duplicating the factory process
Thanks
Jeff

Since I'm the one that started all of the rumbling about "chassis black" and final blackout several decades ago, especially for 63 and 64, I suppose I should join in on this discussion.
I think before we talk about final blackout, though, we should cover the individual components first. What did the completed chassis look like before it went into the final blackout booth just before body drop?

The frame is, of course, completely coated with chassis black before it was shipped to the St Louis Corvette assy plant. It was hung vertically and sprayed with multiple fixed spray heads. There were usually paint drips hanging from the rear of the rear cross member.
The Smith and GM part numbers were applied before it left the Smith plant.

The front steering knuckle assy's, which consisted of the spindle, brake backing plate, steering arm, brake drum, wheel studs, wheel bearings and dust cap, were completely coated with chassis black at the source. (with the exception of a small area where the upper and lower ball joint would later be attached)
It was coated as a complete assembly so there would be no coating on the inside of the brake drum or the shoe side of the backing plate.
The brake shoes and wheel cyl's were already installed so the back/head of the brake shoe hold down pin and the wheel cyl attaching bolt heads would also have a coating. Boring, I know, but that's the way it was.

The front upper and lower control arms arrived at the St Louis plant assembled with the shaft, bushings, washers and bolts in place and coated with chassis black. The ball joints and upstop bumper were added at the Mill so they would not be coated.

The attaching hardware for the knuckle assy's and upper/lower control arm assy's and coil springs would not have a coating, at least at this point.
The upper control arm studs in the frame were installed at St Louis so they would not be coated.
The stabilizer bar and link assy's would not be coated at this point of assembly.

The rear control arm assembly, which would include the control arm, spindle support, spindle, brake backing plate, brake drum, drive flange, wheel studs, brake components and parking brake cable, would be coated in chassis black at the source. Same as the front brake/knuckle assy, the rear would be coated after it was assembled so there is no coating on the inside of the brake drum or brake shoe side of the backing plate.
At least the first foot or two of the parking brake cable would be chassis black.

The differential would probably arrive at the st Louis plant, (here after known as "The Mill") coated in chassis black, but it's possible it was coated at the Mill. The prop and drive shaft flanges were cupped/covered during the process so no coating on these items.

In the basement of the Mill, the rear suspension/drive was assembled. (minus spring and crossmember) The assembly received a final blackout before it was hoisted up to the main floor. The drive (half) shafts and strut rods/bracket would be in place so these items would be coated, although the coverage on the struts was not complete.
The crossmember and strut rod bracket would arrive at the Mill already painted, but not with chassis black. It would be a slightly higher gloss for the crossmember and a slightly duller black for the bracket.

The propeller (drive) shaft would be natural until it was installed. It was later completely coated during the final blackout.

Later, or tomorrow, we'll get into the "Mysterious Final Blackout".

[Jeff Z.]

Re: Asphalt Coating Prior to Body Drop



- Steering Box/Brake Lines with coating removed
- Upper ball joint removed coating
- Overspray on spare tire tub, (red on rear tub is from 1970 repaint)
- Coating on upper control arm shims (front shim maybe non-original)

Also Tracy you may have more time to apply coating 6-8 min cycle time (~ 2200 cars per month/two shifts) with an UAW worker on left and right side.

Thanks
Jeff

[Tracy C.]

Re: Asphalt Coating Prior to Body Drop

...........
Later, or tomorrow, we'll get into the "Mysterious Final Blackout".

Dude...is it "Later, or tomorrow" yet? I've been waiting like a kid at Christmas for more info on this..

tc