Rear storage compartment lock bezels; which year did painting start

[Gary B.]

Does anyone know the first year that the stainless steel bezel on rear storage compartment lock was painted? And were they always black? Or did the color match the carpet color?

Thanks,

Gary

[Reba W.]

Re: Rear storage compartment lock bezels; which year did painting start

Originals were never stainless, I have seen many rusted ones. They were painted interior color or at least they were through at least 1977. I do not judge later C3s.

[Gary B.]

Re: Rear storage compartment lock bezels; which year did painting start

Originals were never stainless, I have seen many rusted ones. They were painted interior color or at least they were through at least 1977. I do not judge later C3s.

Reba,

Hmmm. I was under the distinct impression that for the early C3 years the head of the push button and the surrounding circular bezel were stainless. I'm confused now.

Gary

[Jeff P.]

Re: Rear storage compartment lock bezels; which year did painting start

Gary, Lets end your confusion! The buttons on the door latches are stainless. The escutcheons are painted the color of the interior. Buttons on later C-3's are Chrome.

[Gary B.]

Re: Rear storage compartment lock bezels; which year did painting start

Gary, Lets end your confusion! The buttons on the door latches are stainless. The escutcheons are painted the color of the interior.

Jeff,

Thanks for the clarification. The escutcheon is what I was calling the bezel. Are the escutcheons not stainless under the paint? And did the painting of the escutcheon start in '68?

Gary

[Jeff P.]

Re: Rear storage compartment lock bezels; which year did painting start

Gary not sure prior to 68. Not Stainless steel under the Paint for 68's. Gary the NCRS sells a Great Book: Corvette 1968-1982 Restoration Guide 2nd Edition that can anwser alot of your Questions.

[Gary B.]

Re: Rear storage compartment lock bezels; which year did painting start

Jeff,

Well, I think I'm confused again. Here's a photo I found on google images that shows a storage lock (non-keyed) with an escutcheon or surround, plus what I would call the lock proper with a bezel and the push button. In the image, both the bezel and the push button appear to be stainless to me. The escutcheon probably not, and it appears painted. Am I still confused?

Gary
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[Russ S.]

Re: Rear storage compartment lock bezels; which year did painting start

Jeff,Well, I think I'm confused again. Here's a photo I found on google images that shows a storage lock (non-keyed) with an escutcheon or surround, plus what I would call the lock proper with a bezel and the push button. In the image, both the bezel and the push button appear to be stainless to me. The escutcheon probably not, and it appears painted. Am I still confused?Gary[ATTACH=CONFIG]53595[/ATTACH]

This is correct Gary as pictured.

[Joe L.]

Re: Rear storage compartment lock bezels; which year did painting start

Jeff,

Well, I think I'm confused again. Here's a photo I found on google images that shows a storage lock (non-keyed) with an escutcheon or surround, plus what I would call the lock proper with a bezel and the push button. In the image, both the bezel and the push button appear to be stainless to me. The escutcheon probably not, and it appears painted. Am I still confused?

Gary
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Gary------

For 1968-77 the push-button and the bezel surrounding it (part of the lock cylinder CASE) were stainless steel, although of the magnetic variety. Decorative stainless steel is often of the magnetic variety.

The escutcheon was mild steel. I have NOS examples of the escutcheon and they are unpainted, mild steel. The escutcheon is not shown in the AIM as "CHART". So, that means they were supplied to St. Louis as unpainted steel and must have been painted at St. Louis to match the interior.

[Reba W.]

Re: Rear storage compartment lock bezels; which year did painting start

Jeff,

The escutcheon is what I was calling the bezel. Are the escutcheons not stainless under the paint? And did the painting of the escutcheon start in '68?

Gary

I confused bezel and escutcheon also, Gary, but they were not stainless. Yes, 1968s were painted.

[Gary B.]

Re: Rear storage compartment lock bezels; which year did painting start

So, to summarize: the push button is stainless, not painted; the integral lock bezel is stainless not painted; the detached escutcheon is non-stainless and painted. Correct?

Gary

[Joe L.]

Re: Rear storage compartment lock bezels; which year did painting start

So, to summarize: the push button is stainless, not painted; the integral lock bezel is stainless not painted; the detached escutcheon is non-stainless and painted. Correct?

Gary

Gary-------


Yes. Also, keep in mind that when the factory used stainless steel for a part, it was seldom painted. I believe one reason for this is that it's difficult to get paint to adhere well to stainless steel. Plus, if it's painted it doesn't really need to be stainless steel and stainless is more expensive than mild steel.

One classic example I can think of: the rear window reveal molding for 1978 Corvettes was polished stainless steel. For the 1979 model year there were very few exterior differences from 1978. However, one of the differences for most 1979 Corvettes was that the rear window stainless steel reveal molding was painted very low gloss black. Well, the black didn't adhere very well, as is often the case when stainless steel is painted, and those 1979 Corvettes with the black reveal molding eventually "morphed" into 1978 Corvettes with polished stainless steel molding.

[Gary B.]

Re: Rear storage compartment lock bezels; which year did painting start

Thanks all. My confusion is resolved.

Gary

[Gary B.]

Re: Rear storage compartment lock bezels; which year did painting start

..Well, the black didn't adhere very well, as is often the case when stainless steel is painted...

Joe,

In the past, Toyota has also painted stainless trim with the same long-term result.

Gary

[Joe L.]

Re: Rear storage compartment lock bezels; which year did painting start

Joe,

In the past, Toyota has also painted stainless trim with the same long-term result.

Gary

Gary------


Another classic case: many years ago John Delorean created his famous "sports car". All of the cars had an unpainted stainless steel body which was supposed to eliminate the need for paint and remain rust free for the life of the car. Well, stainless steel is not so stainless and, exposed to the elements, the cars developed plenty of "stains" and looked terrible.

Since there was no way to refinish the stainless steel to its original appearance, owners found it necessary to paint the cars to make them look presentable. Painting those cars in a durable way requires a great deal of preparation and work. Getting the job done can cost more than the current value of the cars. Fortunately, there are Delorean aficionados that won't let the cars die.