1967 Corvette Leaf Springs Paint Color - Which Shade Of Gray?

[Brian E.]

Need some help… Long Island Corvette is out of the rattle can spray paint for painting the rear leaf springs and the current NCRS 1967 judging guide does not specify which shade of paint to use when restoring/painting leaf springs: “The rear spring is painted semi-gloss light gray…”

When I go to my local automotive paint shop, what color of gray do I tell them I need? What type of paint do tell them I need? Does anyone have more info on the specific shade of light gray (referenced in the current judging manual) to use? Thanks in advance for sharing.
gray paint.jpg
This picture was taken (before restoration) once the leaf spring assembly was removed from the car.

[Mark M.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Leaf Springs Paint Color - Which Shade Of Gray?

Brian, there's been many discussions on rear springs you can look up on these discussion boards. Basically if you go to your local hardware store and get 2 cans of cold galvanize spray it will work well. The can empties quick so at least 2 are needed. It's very rich in zinc as the original paint was to serve the purpose of lubrication. It also is the same type gray as the original but goes on dry with a flat look. Originally the paint was applied with a brush which may show more gloss. Cold galv. is available in cans for brushing. I have a number of original springs showing the original paint, and there has been debate on whether all springs came painted on all sides or just the bottom before assembly. There is proof that some 64-69s were only painted on there bottom (tension) sides. Many if not most were painted on all sides as there was more than one supplier. As far as I know all judging manuals presently say all sides. Hope this helps.

[Larry M.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Leaf Springs Paint Color - Which Shade Of Gray?

Brian:

The rear springs were never painted. They were bare steel with some anti-rust covering applied that was a "zinc rich primer". It was called Ionoklad 200, and was manufactured by a company in Ohio as I recall. Quanta sold this zinc coating at one time, but ultimately EPA regulations caused the company to quit making it.

The closest I can come to finding a substitute is a product called Krylon Sprayon S00740. It is an industrial/marine zinc rich primer and galvanizing compound. I used it in the chemical plants as well for touch up on steel I-beams and other heavy metal work that had a galvanized finish.

When I re-did my 67 rear suspension, I used this and sprayed all the spring leaves completely...........although GM only called for it to me used on the tension side of the spring. It has a distinctive dull light to medium gray appearance.

Larry

[Danny P.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Leaf Springs Paint Color - Which Shade Of Gray?

Need some help… Long Island Corvette is out of the rattle can spray paint for painting the rear leaf springs and the current NCRS 1967 judging guide does not specify which shade of paint to use when restoring/painting leaf springs: “The rear spring is painted semi-gloss light gray…”

When I go to my local automotive paint shop, what color of gray do I tell them I need? What type of paint do tell them I need? Does anyone have more info on the specific shade of light gray (referenced in the current judging manual) to use? Thanks in advance for sharing.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]107048[/ATTACH]
This picture was taken (before restoration) once the leaf spring assembly was removed from the car.

I just did mine on my 67 coupe , Quanta has the right shade of light gray http://www.quantaproducts.com part #28-02A78.jpg

[Brian E.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Leaf Springs Paint Color - Which Shade Of Gray?

Brian, there's been many discussions on rear springs you can look up on these discussion boards. Basically if you go to your local hardware store and get 2 cans of cold galvanize spray it will work well. The can empties quick so at least 2 are needed. It's very rich in zinc as the original paint was to serve the purpose of lubrication. It also is the same type gray as the original but goes on dry with a flat look. Originally the paint was applied with a brush which may show more gloss. Cold galv. is available in cans for brushing. I have a number of original springs showing the original paint, and there has been debate on whether all springs came painted on all sides or just the bottom before assembly. There is proof that some 64-69s were only painted on there bottom (tension) sides. Many if not most were painted on all sides as there was more than one supplier. As far as I know all judging manuals presently say all sides. Hope this helps.

Thank you.

[Brian E.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Leaf Springs Paint Color - Which Shade Of Gray?

Brian:

The rear springs were never painted. They were bare steel with some anti-rust covering applied that was a "zinc rich primer". It was called Ionoklad 200, and was manufactured by a company in Ohio as I recall. Quanta sold this zinc coating at one time, but ultimately EPA regulations caused the company to quit making it.

The closest I can come to finding a substitute is a product called Krylon Sprayon S00740. It is an industrial/marine zinc rich primer and galvanizing compound. I used it in the chemical plants as well for touch up on steel I-beams and other heavy metal work that had a galvanized finish.

When I re-did my 67 rear suspension, I used this and sprayed all the spring leaves completely...........although GM only called for it to me used on the tension side of the spring. It has a distinctive dull light to medium gray appearance.

Larry

Thank you Larry.

[Lawrence M.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Leaf Springs Paint Color - Which Shade Of Gray?

DSCN4577.jpgRear SpringCorrect Color.jpg I agree with Larry . The Sprayon 740 looks to be a good match for the color of the original 1969 spring I restored for my car.

[Ron G.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Leaf Springs Paint Color - Which Shade Of Gray?

This is a subject that we have covered over and over. The original finish was 200L weld thru primer which was a medium to dark gray, not light. The primer was supplied by Ionoklad in Pontiac, MI.

[Danny P.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Leaf Springs Paint Color - Which Shade Of Gray?

This is a subject that we have covered over and over. The original finish was 200L weld thru primer which was a medium to dark gray, not light. The primer was supplied by Ionoklad in Pontiac, MI.

Ron , i guess they should change that in 1967/ 7th Judging guide on "Rear leaf spring Light Gray semi-gloss"

[Gary B.]

[Danny P.]

Re: 1967 Corvette Leaf Springs Paint Color - Which Shade Of Gray?

Gary, this is what Quanta is selling its the perfect colour under the guide lines of NCRS Semi -gloss light grayGRAY PAINT.jpg