67' dome washers on A-arms

[Dave K.]

Are the original dome washers for the A arm pivot shaft bolt suppose to be natural steel or painted semi gloss black?
Thx
Dave

[Jim S.]

Re: 67' dome washers on A-arms

Are the original dome washers for the A arm pivot shaft bolt suppose to be natural steel or painted semi gloss black?
Thx
Dave

The A arms were painted as a unit with the crossshaft, bolts & dome washers install, so all the same shade of gloss black.

[Mike Z.]

Re: 67' dome washers on A-arms

I agree with Jim on all except to note: "gloss" would have been more like semi-gloss as we know it today. If you go gloss, they look out of place in the engine compartment and just would not have been what GM did.
Mike

[Jim S.]

Re: 67' dome washers on A-arms

I agree with Jim on all except to note: "gloss" would have been more like semi-gloss as we know it today. If you go gloss, they look out of place in the engine compartment and just would not have been what GM did.
Mike

Mike,
I think you would agree that the A arms are a higher gloss than the satin/semi-gloss finish of the frame. (They should stand out) The '67 JD calls out gloss black for the lower A arms. For the upper A arms it states "a shade of black between semi-gloss and gloss" FWIW, IMO the difference in the "look" of the upper A arms when viewed from the engine compartment could be attributed to the overspray of the 'flatter' blackout paint used in the engine compartment. Because of the dust shields only a portion of the upper A arms are visible from the top.

[Mike Z.]

Re: 67' dome washers on A-arms

Jim, yes; certainly different from the frame, which was much more muted-book says semi-gloss, but I believe was more of a semi-flat, cheap asphalt base paint, whereas the A-Arms used a slightly better quality paint. Additionally, the A's were brighter/glossier than the black-out used in the engine compartment. The T-Arms, I believe were a similar, but not quite as glossy as the A-Arms. Further, the T-Arms did not have bushings installed or hubs prior to paint-believe they were "dipped" into a paint vat, as were the A-Arms, but I believe at different sub-providers, which could explain my thought on the slightly different shade of gloss: I could be wrong on the process and source, perhaps those that were actually there in the day can confirm.
Mike

[Jim S.]

Re: 67' dome washers on A-arms

Jim, yes; certainly different from the frame, which was much more muted-book says semi-gloss, but I believe was more of a semi-flat, cheap asphalt base paint, whereas the A-Arms used a slightly better quality paint. Additionally, the A's were brighter/glossier than the black-out used in the engine compartment. The T-Arms, I believe were a similar, but not quite as glossy as the A-Arms. Further, the T-Arms did not have bushings installed or hubs prior to paint-believe they were "dipped" into a paint vat, as were the A-Arms, but I believe at different sub-providers, which could explain my thought on the slightly different shade of gloss: I could be wrong on the process and source, perhaps those that were actually there in the day can confirm.
Mike

Mike, My point on the difference described in the 67 JD between the upper & lower A arm is not due to them being painted with difference gloss paints. I think the uppers may 'look' to have a lower sheen than the lower A arms due to some overspray from the black-out.

BTW, One of the best present day Semi-Flat paint is #1613 by Krylon. Now only marketed as Krylon Industrial

[Mike Z.]

Re: 67' dome washers on A-arms

Jim, perhaps I did not fully understand your comment on the possible over-spray, but my point was a different paint was used on A's than frame or engine compartment black-out; which was my explanation of a difference in the gloss. Both upper/lower A-Arms started out service with the same paint, but following your thought process: I believe there was very little, to no black out sprayed in the front areas after body drop (other than a wipe on the sway bar-I don't recall any spraying), much heavier sprayed-on in the rear, and the engine bay was sprayed prior to body drop, so I am not sure where the over spray on the lower A came from-just a thought.
FYI: I use Dupont Industrial paint (holds up well to chemicals i.e., brake fluid, gas, etc.) and mix the flattener additive for desired gloss for the part being sprayed, but yes the Keylon Semi-Flat is pretty close for the engine bay, but perhaps there flat is a little closer for the frame-I use both for minor touch ups.
Mike

[Jim S.]

Re: 67' dome washers on A-arms

Jim, perhaps I did not fully understand your comment on the possible over-spray, but my point was a different paint was used on A's than frame or engine compartment black-out; which was my explanation of a difference in the gloss. Both upper/lower A-Arms started out service with the same paint, but following your thought process: I believe there was very little, to no black out sprayed in the front areas after body drop (other than a wipe on the sway bar-I don't recall any spraying), much heavier sprayed-on in the rear, and the engine bay was sprayed prior to body drop, so I am not sure where the over spray on the lower A came from-just a thought.
FYI: I use Dupont Industrial paint (holds up well to chemicals i.e., brake fluid, gas, etc.) and mix the flattener additive for desired gloss for the part being sprayed, but yes the Keylon Semi-Flat is pretty close for the engine bay, but perhaps there flat is a little closer for the frame-I use both for minor touch ups.
Mike

Mike,
I apologise, I had a brain freeze. When you mentioned that the upper A arm was a lower gloss than the lower A arm, it confused me as I've treated both upper & lower as having the same (higher) gloss than the frame. My mind ;-) thought about the engine compartment black out and perhaps that is what 'influenced' the lower gloss on the upper via overspray. Duh...no blackout after body drop. Sorry about that :^)

[John H.]

Re: 67' dome washers on A-arms

The upper and lower control arm assemblies were built and painted at Chevrolet-Warren, and the bushings were pressed in prior to the painting operation. All engine compartment semi-flat blackout painting was done in the main Paint Shop, after the final bake oven, before the body was loaded on the Hard Trim Line - there was no underhood blackout painting done past that point.