C-3 1970 Wiper Door Linkage Refinishing

[Clark E.]

The J M indicates the linkage is semi-gloss black. My question concerns the 36 or so white plastic spacers between the various linkage components. Are the spacers also painted black or was the linkage assembled after the components were painted and remain white? Most of the joints are riveted making removal of the spacers impractical but if they are supposed to be white, scraping the paint off of spacers before the paint completely dries is an option.

As a side note after a 4 year frame-off, the car is running and looks great with still a long list of to-do's. Profound thanks to the many Forum members that shared their expertise. The car would not have turned out as great as it did without your help. Clark

[Edward J.]

Re: C-3 1970 Wiper Door Linkage Refinishing

Clark, Has you linkage ever been refinished? does it show that the bushings have black paint on them? I think if you keep the paint away from the bushings it might be better as it may make thing sticky. I would see if maybe something like 1/8 masking tape would fit around the bushing area just too cover them. I really do think the judges will be looking that close, as long as its correct in appearance.

[Clark E.]

Re: C-3 1970 Wiper Door Linkage Refinishing

Thanks Edward. The linkage is original. There is evidence of black paint on some of the bushings while others are white or have flecks of black paint on them.

[Alan S.]

Re: C-3 1970 Wiper Door Linkage Refinishing

Hi,
My feeling is that the wiper door mechanism parts were painted before it was assembled.
I too see a few, (very few), flecks of black on the white bushings, but it is a tiny amount.
Even the flat bushings BETWEEN the moving parts are white and I don't see how that could be if the mechanism was painted after it was assembled.
Regards,
Alan

[Ron G.]

Re: C-3 1970 Wiper Door Linkage Refinishing

FYI - My wiper door mechanism looks to have been painted before it was assembled. The plastic white spacers on my car had no paint, but then again the factory usually painted everything as an addembly. Maybe this is the exception.

[Clark E.]

Re: C-3 1970 Wiper Door Linkage Refinishing

Thanks guys for the responses and the pics. I took a second look at the bushings and it's a mixed message. All of the bushings have some evidence of paint with some completely painted while others have very little. It doesn't look like over spray. Only the two bushings holding the actuator rod to the linkage are completely unpainted and as you know, are bolted on so could have been added after painting. In the interest of full disclosure I know the linkage hasn't been repainted since 1972 but can't vouch for what happened before I bought the car although it's highly unlikely that the linkage was replaced or painted during that period. It would certainly make the refinishing easier if the bushings were painted but I prefer the look of the linkage with the bushings unpainted.

Has anyone had experience with this issue during judging and if so, what were the results? The JM doesn't address this.

[Alan S.]

Re: C-3 1970 Wiper Door Linkage Refinishing

Hi,
IF the mechanism was painted AFTER it was assembled it would have required moving EACH part and meticulously painting from all angles to get the total coverage on the over-lapping parts that the unrestored mechanisms display. In doing that I'd think the bushing would have been painted too.
????
Regards,
Alan

[Clark E.]

Re: C-3 1970 Wiper Door Linkage Refinishing

Hi Alan...I agree with your post. Have you restored your linkage and if so, how did you accomplish the restoration? I do have 1/8'' masking tape but will try scrapping the freshly painted bushings with an Exacto knife before resorting to taping.

Also, has this issue surfaced previously during the spring Mason Dixon chapter judging? I attended the judging 2 years ago in I believe Aberdeen and want to bring the car to your chapter's 2015 judging.

Many thanks for your guidance during the 3.5 year restoration of my '70...Clark

[Alan S.]

Re: C-3 1970 Wiper Door Linkage Refinishing

Hi Clark,
At the present time the linkage on my 71 has mostly unpainted bushings. I painted the whole thing very lightly and used an xacto knife to scrape the paint off the bushings that can be seen. SOME of them are hidden under the fenders when the car is assembled and the grill and wiper door are in place. They're still black.
Since the unpainted bushings (or partly painted) aren't mentioned in the current TIM&JG I'd think it would be a pretty knowledgeable judge that would look for it. Since there's only a total of 7 originality points available for the whole vent grill and wiper door area I'd think painted (or unpainted) bushings might only warrant a note on the item's line?
It would be terrific to see your car at a M-D event. We don't see too many 68-72 cars, so would certainly enjoy taking a look at yours.
Regards,
Alan

[Clark E.]

Re: C-3 1970 Wiper Door Linkage Refinishing

Hi Alan...I started the wiper door linkage restoration using a Dremel tool with a fine wire wheel to gently removed the dirt and dust and found the paint to be generally in surprisingly good condition. I also found this process removes the paint on the white bushings without scoring the plastic. The finish appears to be more semi-gloss than flat black. The little rust visible is on the rivet heads holding the joints with the bushings. I'm planning to just touch up the few areas that need it and clean the rest of the linkage.

My son-in-law who helped his dad restore a 97 point '64 coupe suggested the assembled linkage could have been in place during the wiper compartment black out process which could explain why the bushings have some black paint while others don't. ???? Clark