1971 Muffler Blackout Paint--Which Paint?

[Terry M.]

Re: 1971 Muffler Blackout Paint--Which Paint?

The theory was that it was very thin paint, so it ran and slopped around the bottom areas, like the bottom of the mufflers. That is why I wonder about it being asphalt, which is usually pretty thick, gooey paint.

The mufflers with original black-out that are on my 1970 were not sprayed after installation on the chassis. My belief is that they were delivered to St Louis already coated. Other methods might have been used in other years, but that is my theory for early C3s.

[Michael J.]

Re: 1971 Muffler Blackout Paint--Which Paint?

Terry, is it your observation it is an asphalt based paint?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1971 Muffler Blackout Paint--Which Paint?

The mufflers with original black-out that are on my 1970 were not sprayed after installation on the chassis. My belief is that they were delivered to St Louis already coated. Other methods might have been used in other years, but that is my theory for early C3s.

I would agree. I believe that they were painted by Walker before they ever arrived at St. Louis.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1971 Muffler Blackout Paint--Which Paint?

Terry, is it your observation it is an asphalt based paint?

I have direct experience with two original Corvette exhaust systems. That is hardly sufficient to base any definitive conclusions on, but both systems the coating was easily removed using a gasoline soaked rag. Does that mean it was asphalt based? I believe both those systems were. Both of those systems were originally installed on early C3 Corvettes, and one is still on my 1970.

[Bob J.]

Re: 1971 Muffler Blackout Paint--Which Paint?

I would agree. I believe that they were painted by Walker before they ever arrived at St. Louis.

PH & TM,
That very possible the case in C3 but I'm more than pretty sure 63 was done after installation.
On 63s you will often find drips (runs) on the exhaust pipes that puddle to the bottom.
In 63 it is common to find the asphalt paint on the spare tire tub and the front pipe heat shields.
This is shown in Nolands C2 book (pg 72,176,200,241,324,387) with new C2 cars photographed from underneath on a lift.
That asphalt paint looks like fine spray of undercoating in texture (not a slick smooth look) on parts I've removed from origie cars.
Bob Jorjorian

[Joe L.]

Re: 1971 Muffler Blackout Paint--Which Paint?

The mufflers with original black-out that are on my 1970 were not sprayed after installation on the chassis. My belief is that they were delivered to St Louis already coated. Other methods might have been used in other years, but that is my theory for early C3s.

Terry------


I totally agree. That's how I believe the original mufflers on my 1969 were painted.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1971 Muffler Blackout Paint--Which Paint?

PH & TM,
That very possible the case in C3 but I'm more than pretty sure 63 was done after installation.
On 63s you will often find drips (runs) on the exhaust pipes that puddle to the bottom.
In 63 it is common to find the asphalt paint on the spare tire tub and the front pipe heat shields.
This is shown in Nolands C2 book (pg 72,176,200,241,324,387) with new C2 cars photographed from underneath on a lift.
That asphalt paint looks like fine spray of undercoating in texture (not a slick smooth look) on parts I've removed from origie cars.
Bob Jorjorian

Bob,
I think it is pretty well established that once disk brakes became available in 1965 there began to be less and less undercar blackout than with the drum brake cars. In the early C3s, which is the subject the OP asked about, the only undercar blackout we see is the mufflers, and there is usually very little to no overspray on the spare tire carrier. What overspray we do see, I believe, is due to occasional touch-up of the mufflers due to scratches or damage of the coating from shipping or installation. Later C3s began to use a more paint-like coating than early C3s. I am pretty sure these changes in the process will come as no surprise to those of us old enough to have lived through all this. There are numerous changes to the engine paint process as well as the body build process over the years as technology and materials changed.

[Pat M.]

Re: 1971 Muffler Blackout Paint--Which Paint?

The mufflers with original black-out that are on my 1970 were not sprayed after installation on the chassis. My belief is that they were delivered to St Louis already coated. Other methods might have been used in other years, but that is my theory for early C3s.

Hi Terry. Don't some known original early C3s show evidence of black out overspray on the edges of the spare tire carrier right near the mufflers? If so, and if the muffler black out was not done while on the chassis, where did the spare tire carrier overspray come from? Thanks

Edit add: Thanks Terry, I see your previous answer to this, I should've waited a bit longer for an answer

[Bob J.]

Re: 1971 Muffler Blackout Paint--Which Paint?

Terry,

I don't doubt you or Patrick on any of the C3 details.

My only point was that wasn't the case in 63 and for much of C2 era
.
Bob Jorjorian

[Terry M.]

Re: 1971 Muffler Blackout Paint--Which Paint?

Hi Terry. Don't some known original early C3s show evidence of black out overspray on the edges of the spare tire carrier right near the mufflers? If so, and if the muffler black out was not done while on the chassis, where did the spare tire carrier overspray come from? Thanks

Edit add: Thanks Terry, I see your previous answer to this, I should've waited a bit longer for an answer

Yes, Bob some few show traces of overspray, but not near enough cars show it and those that do have so little it is hard to believe the mufflers were sprayed while in the chassis. We do often see upward runs on the mufflers, which would lead us to think the mufflers were sprayed while in an upside down position.

Got to tell you I haven't seen an original exhaust system on a C3, except for known Bowtie/Survivor cars, in years. There's darned few of them out there any more. I wonder how the young-uns are going to know what it looks like. That's one of the reasons I brought the 1970 to Kansas City and will be bringing it to Indianapolis this summer. Bloomington Gold is having an "original owner" display this year and I was asked to bring it. I'm looking forward to seeing some of those cars -- again.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1971 Muffler Blackout Paint--Which Paint?

Terry,

I don't doubt you or Patrick on any of the C3 details.

My only point was that wasn't the case in 63 and for much of C2 era
.
Bob Jorjorian

And I don't doubt your early C2 observations either.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1971 Muffler Blackout Paint--Which Paint?

That's one of the reasons I brought the 1970 to Kansas City and will be bringing it to Indianapolis this summer. Bloomington Gold is having an "original owner" display this year and I was asked to bring it. I'm looking forward to seeing some of those cars -- again.

Good to know.

If the weather holds AND they don't throw down more salt, I've toyed with the idea of driving the yellow 72 to Auburn in a month.
We will see...

[Terry M.]

Re: 1971 Muffler Blackout Paint--Which Paint?

Good to know.

If the weather holds AND they don't throw down more salt, I've toyed with the idea of driving the yellow 72 to Auburn in a month.
We will see...

Patrick,
It would be nice to see -- again.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1971 Muffler Blackout Paint--Which Paint?

Patrick,
It would be nice to see -- again.

As usual, if it comes then I'll toss you the spare set of keys so you can use it as you wish.

[Bill C.]

Re: 1971 Muffler Blackout Paint--Which Paint?

Just a FYI......

when end I did the resto on my old 72, I was able to purchase a 385/386 muffler set. It was old old old nos
and both mufflers were coated with a very thick semi shinny black paint.

The pain dripped around the sides of the mufflers. And it was sorta thickly applied.

Bill