varying shades of Black in the 1969 Engine bay.

[John M.]

I'm approaching the point of painting the Frame and Engine bay in the 69.

My instincts tell me:

Gloss Black on the A-arms and Heater Box.

Semi-Gloss on the frame.

Semi Flat on the Firewall and inner fenders/underhood.

This is just from a general understanding of GM A body restoration as apposed to the Corvette assembly plant's processes.

I prefer the varying shades as a cosmetic detail, but would rather do it correctly.

Any advice on varying shades of black.

Thanks

[Chuck S.]

Re: varying shades of Black in the 1969 Engine bay.

John, your instincts based on other GM cars are pretty much spot on.

My choices would be slightly less gloss on the frame and the control arms. It depends on what you've observed on original cars and your perception of gloss levels; my frame was slightly more glossy than what I would call "eggshell", and the control arms slightly more glossy than semi-gloss.

The different gloss levels are correct, and in the same order as you describe.

[Greg L.]

Re: varying shades of Black in the 1969 Engine bay.

John I too have to say that the frame was more of a semi-gloss than a semi flat or egg shell with the control arms having slightly more gloss. Full gloss on the control arms would be not be typical. Some people also say that the frame wasn't quite as "black" as the control arms but what little was let on my 69 was as black as black gets!

Semi flat on the firewall, inner fenders and under hood is correct and is commonly called "blackout" ...lots of info in the archives on which paint to use for this.

Oh and the heater box should only be natural fiberglass.

[John M.]

Re: varying shades of Black in the 1969 Engine bay.

Oh and the heater box should only be natural fiberglass.

Now that surprised me. Mine already appears to be painted over. I'll have to decide where to draw the line in the sand on that one.

Probably an inexpensive piece to replace, but then you have the sealant issue to deal with.

[Patrick H.]

Re: varying shades of Black in the 1969 Engine bay.

Now that surprised me. Mine already appears to be painted over. I'll have to decide where to draw the line in the sand on that one.

Probably an inexpensive piece to replace, but then you have the sealant issue to deal with.

Use lacquer thinner and see if you can wipe off the paint. It's probably just spray bomb paint anyway, so won't adhere that well.

Patrick

[Chuck S.]

Re: varying shades of Black in the 1969 Engine bay.

...Probably an inexpensive piece to replace, but then you have the sealant issue to deal with.

Not exactly.

I haven't looked lately, but I expect your only source would be junkyard donor parts...if you can find one. If you buy one from a yardyard scrounger vendor, it probably won't be cheap either.

At the junction of the firewall and the heater box (also inside the front plenum/wiper well) there should be a black, crusty sealant that appears to have been asphalt based. It was applied in liquid form, probably cold rather than hot like roofing tar, so at first glance the heater box will look "painted" at the firewall. Raw fiberglass is correct.

While this material looks like roofing tar (you may find hardened "foam bubbles" under the slick surface), I doubt that was the case. It was also used to seal all the firewall penetrations with grommets, the harness connector/fuse panel etc.

You shouldn't have much problem separating the heater box from the firewall. The heater box flange is really sealed inside with a gray "dum-dum" type sealant which is easy to separate if it remains flexible. This sealant is still used and available at automotive paint stores as 3M StripCalk.

P.S. Unless you have a specific need or desire to remove the heater box (inspection/pressure testing of the heater core by a radiator shop would be a good reason), you're probably better not disassemblying the car any further than you need to for restoration purposes

[John M.]

Re: varying shades of Black in the 1969 Engine bay.

P.S. Unless you have a specific need or desire to remove the heater box (inspection/pressure testing of the heater core by a radiator shop would be a good reason), you're probably better not disassemblying the car any further than you need to for restoration purposes

That's likely sound advice as I already have a can of worms with the motor pulled, and the suspension gutted.

[Alan S.]

Re: varying shades of Black in the 1969 Engine bay.

Hi John,
I enjoyed seeing your cars and motorcycle. It sure looks like you have a pleasant space to store and work on your Corvette.
Regards,
Alan

[John M.]

Re: varying shades of Black in the 1969 Engine bay.

Thanks Alan,

I always dreamed of having a "malt Shop" type garage ever since I was a kid.

And while I'm about 4 car bays, a Glass top bar and a working Soda Fountain away from the actual dream, it's about as good as it's going to get for an average working stiff.

Crank up the Oldies, grab a cold one and a wrench and I'm in heaven.

http://community-2.webtv.net/johnlord/TheDreamGarage/

.