C3 Storage Compartment Color

[Kevin Morris]

I have been restoring the three storage compartments (behind the seats) in my '72. The TIM/JG suggests that the color of the underside of the compartment lids should be flat black. I have two questions: 1) Do they mean actual flat black, or more of a satin black (w/just a smidge more sheen than flat)? 2) The TIM/JG says nothing about the color of the two outboard compartments themselves...down inside them. What color should they be?

Thx,
Kevin #39927

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Storage Compartment Color

Kevin----

The underside of the storage compartment lids is pretty much a flat black. Some might consider it "semi-flat", but it's definitely NOT semi-gloss.

The inside of the compartments is a medium to semi-gloss black, about the same as used for chassis black-out operations.

[Kevin Morris]

Re: C3 Storage Compartment Color

Thx Joe. So you are suggesting that the inside of the storage compartments has a little more of a sheen (gloss) than do the underside of the lids?

Kevin #39927

[Kevin Whiteley]

Re: C3 Storage Compartment Color

It may be for different years, but I thought that the inside of the storage compartments was a "flock" paint (I think that's the term). I really can't describe it, except to say that it resembles bad felt. I'm not sure of the color, Joe is more than likely correct.

Kevin there were several posts on this about 1 1/2 to 2 months ago. It had alot of good info regarding color, pattern, date codes, etc.

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Storage Compartment Color

Kevin-----

The only parts that had the "flocking" were the inserts in the center compartment and the removeable covers in the jack compartment. The compartments, themselves, were painted with medium to semi-gloss black paint.

[Tom R.]

Re: C3 Storage Compartment Color

While it may be vary from early C3 years to late C3 years...in late years I would describe the finish more of an undercoating material that takes on the hue of blackout...or flat black. Sometimes, depending on year...there may be body color overspray...not that I've seen much of it.

We looked at a car in Hershey, 79 I think and the compartments were painted bright red...to match body color. The owner was an NCCC member and he told us that in NCCC competition...they like to see nice uniform colors in the compartments.

The reason I say that in late model C3 years it was the undercoating type material...because it would flake off in large sheets and lie on the bottom of the compartment.

[Kevin Morris]

Re: C3 Storage Compartment Color

Again, thank you all. You know...I have never been disappointed that I joined the NCRS. There are some very knowlegable people, and everyone seems willing to help. I think I am going to paint the inside of the compartments a satin black. On a scale, from glossy to not glossy, I would rate it: Gloss, Semi-Gloss, Satin, Semi-Flat, Flat. I am still curious, though, as to how flat the underside of the lids really are. It would seem to me that, as someone else stated, the inside of the compartments as a whole (including the lids) should be uniform. Do you all think the NCRS judges would "dock" me for having them uniform? Or should the lids be less glossy than the rest?

Kevin #39927

[Terry M.]

Re: C3 Storage Compartment Color *TL*

I would expect that the inside of the compartments were painted with the same blackout paint that was used in the engine compartment, windshield area, upper front door and rear vent area. Likely was all done at the same station in the body area.
I would also expect that the underside of the lids used somewhat the same paint, but that operation was done by a vendor. That might yield a slightly different shade. Since the lid is a different material than the body it will reflect light differently and look like a different gloss level.

[Harmon C.]

Re: C3 Storage Compartment Color

Kevin If you have new lids the material is different and will show thru the paint and be hard to get a correct finish. I will check my early 73's on the finish in the two outboard compartments. I thought they were natural because I taped off the metal fasteners for the spring when painting them. This area may be finished different in the shark years as it was out of sight. Lyle

[Terry M.]

Amplification *TL*

I should have pointed out that my expereince is with Corvettes up to 1972.

[Warren F.]

Re: C3 Storage Compartment Color

Kevin: My 71 is a low mileage original interior, the mileage having stopped approximately at the end of 1974. The compartments are a flat black as well as the underside of the lids, they are pretty much uniform in color. Hope this helps! Warren

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 Storage Compartment Color

Kevin-----

The underside of the storage compartment lids was painted by the supplier that made the lid assemblies. I think that accounts for why the "degree of gloss" is a bit different. In fact, this is the reason that there are so many slightly different "degree of gloss" black-painted components on a Corvette. Many of the black components were painted elsewhere and not at St. Louis. I don't think that GM ever called out real tight specs (e.g. in contrast to military specifications which might have a 5 page spec for a particular shade of black as defined by a 5 digit "mil-spec" code) for any of these on the blueprints. So, if a spec just called for a part to be painted "semi-flat black", for instance, the supplier had a lot of discretion. In many cases, the spec for non-trim parts just called for a part to be "paint black lacquer" or "paint black enamel".

[Kevin Morris]

Re: C3 Storage Compartment Color

All responses are appreciated. I have decided to paint the compartments and the underside of the lids the same color, satin black (about middle of the road in glossiness). I think this looks the best, for uniformity and it is just the right amount of sheen to allow ease of cleaning, yet not glossy by any means. If the judges want to hit me for it, they can

Kevin #39927

[Roger Legge]

Re: C3 Storage Compartment Color

Regarding the color of the compartment lids, I inspected my late-build '68 yesterday and the two outside lids are unpainted on the underside and the center lid is flat black. The compartments and all related pieces are, to the best of my knowledge, original. The entire jack/etc pieces look as if they have never been removed and this unpainted lid has the original tire pressure, limited slip and jacking instruction stickers. I plan to do a more thorough inspection, read the TIM&JG, then follow up with another posting.

Roger 36316

[Terry M.]

Re: C3 Storage Compartment Color *TL*

Ah yes, 1968 differences strike again. IIRC some 1968 center compartment lids were black plastic and were unpainted.