primering and painting 69 headlight bezels

[Mark G.]

I picked up a set of 69 headlight bezels and am ready to primer and paint them. After removing the paint, it appears they have at least three colors of primer. I see gray, a reddish color, and green. I assume the green is zinc chromate. How were these originally painted? It looks like the back side is bare metal with some overspray through the openings. Should I primer and paint both sides? Primer and paint the front sides and some sort of semi flat/gloss on the back sides? Thanks.
Mark

[Bill C.]

Re: primering and painting 69 headlight bezels

i would zinc dichromate the bezels inside and out.
The etch was sprayed on the metal parts before priming.

I am pretty sure the red oxide primer was the last one used, so just prime with it.
they were installed on the headlamp assembly while being the car was being painted.

best way to duplicate overspray and coverage is to set up a mounting jig to replicate the assembly in the nose , with the headlamp assembly in the open position.
I made one years ago and it worked nicely.

the primer over spray would hit the inside only through the headlamp holes.
they was very little if any on the back side, so the coverage was light towards the back edges of the bezel.
as for body color, paint the same way as primer.
the assemblies went through the ovens etc. and whatever sheen came out was it, generally semi flat to semi glass.
if using base/clear use a flattening agent in the clear. something like 40-45 % works nicely.

[Mark G.]

Re: primering and painting 69 headlight bezels

Thanks, Bill.

[Mark G.]

Re: primering and painting 69 headlight bezels

I'm having trouble locating zinc dichromate. All I can find is zinc chromate. any difference?

[Bill C.]

Re: primering and painting 69 headlight bezels

Easiest thing to do is ask for the green etch primer at the store

if you go to corvette America and search for etch primer pretty sure only one available is the green one

[Mark G.]

Re: primering and painting 69 headlight bezels

Thanks again Bill. Luckily I work where all I work on are Corvettes, although they are C5-7's. I'll ask the body shop supply company on Monday what they have. I'd rather buy "professional" quality paint then "consumer" quality. Now, if I can get my painter to follow your directions on painting them.................

[Jeff P.]

Re: primering and painting 69 headlight bezels

Bought mine on Amazon.

[Mark G.]

Re: primering and painting 69 headlight bezels

Jeff, would you know the part number, or is this the stuff:

https://www.amazon.com/MOELLER-MFG-COMPANY-INC-CHROMATE/dp/B000N8LR24/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502027190&sr=8-1&keywords=zinc+chromate+paint

[Jeff P.]

Re: primering and painting 69 headlight bezels

Yes Mark , exact can I purchased.

[Jim D.]

Re: primering and painting 69 headlight bezels

Etch primers are old school. I don't know of anyone that still uses them. I use epoxy primer on bare metal as it's far superior. Regardless of what you decide, NEVER use anything out of a rattle can as part of a paint job. Some use rattle can lacquer as a guide coat because it will be completely sanded off.

[Jeff P.]

Re: primering and painting 69 headlight bezels

I'm restoring a 68 for judging. Shouldn't you go "old school " for best results ?

[Jeff P.]

Re: primering and painting 69 headlight bezels

A lot of engines past judging with rattle cans.

[Jim D.]

Re: primering and painting 69 headlight bezels

A lot of engines past judging with rattle cans.

I'm talking about auto body, not engines.

[Jim D.]

Re: primering and painting 69 headlight bezels

I'm restoring a 68 for judging. Shouldn't you go "old school " for best results ?

If you want to use inferior products under your paint, than yes. Even if you're going to use acrylic lacquer as a top coat, you still want to use the best products available underneath it to prevent future failure. Acid etch primer isn't one of them.