'65 396 Engine French Locks & Painting Questions

[John H.]

Re: '65 396 Engine French Locks & Painting Questions

Michael -

I was only at Tonawanda twice, and never saw the paint operation in person; the "tree" mask in the photo was apparently another clever local product from their toolroom to reduce manpower in the masking and de-masking areas ahead of and after the spray booth.

[Michael H.]

Re: '65 396 Engine French Locks & Painting Questions

Michael -

I was only at Tonawanda twice, and never saw the paint operation in person; the "tree" mask in the photo was apparently another clever local product from their toolroom to reduce manpower in the masking and de-masking areas ahead of and after the spray booth.

Thanks John. I've been trying for decades to get a copy of the original photo without success. It appeared in a 1965 Corvette News and, apparently, nowhere else. I've never seen another similar photo from either Flint or Tonawanda.
If those engines were flying through there at that rate and the complete paint operation only required 12 seconds, the multiple "tree" mask would certainly help.