56 Chassis Detail

[Mark P.]

I am getting ready to paint my chassis on my 56 and have noticed from the JG that there are a lot of areas left in question as to what should be painted black and what shoudl be left alone. I know that some items should be left the natural steel or the original plating on the fasteners, but I'm not exactly sure what is supposed to be what.

Is there another guide out there I can use or do any of you have a list on what finishes should be there? Any help or insight is very much appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark

[Jerry G.]

Re: 56 Chassis Detail

I did a body off on my 56 last year Mark. Maybe I can help. Private email sent.

[Gary C.]

Re: 56 Chassis Detail

Mark, if you'll post the particular chassis items you have questions about their finish they will get answered. Gary....

[Mark P.]

Re: 56 Chassis Detail

Okay....it's maybe a bit much, but here goes...

What fasteners are not painted?
Exhaust fasteners painted?
Front crossmember bolts painted?
Front suspension pivot shafts, bushings, seals and associated hardware painted black?
Rear diff. u-bolts painted? Rear spring bands? Bolts, shackles and bushings?
Wheel cylinders and other compnents for brakes at the wheel? Wheel backing plates painted that brake shoes, wheel cylinders and other components attach to (inside)?
Master cylinder? I saw that it could be either black or unpainted?
3rd arm? Painted as an assembly, including attached components, tie rods and bolts painted?
Grease zerks patined?
Park brake linkage on frame and other attachments and fasteners painted?
Do exhaust pipes and mufflers have a heavy/complete coating of black paint or light?
Steering relay and associated fasteners painted?
Bumper mounts front and rear painted black along with fasteners?
Motor mount to frame bolts painted?
Fasteners to attach transmission mounts and crossmember painted black?

Maybe a simpler question would be: What subassemblies are assembled and attached as a unit after painting? That would tell me what fasteners need to be painted and which ones don't.

See below for items I'm pretty sure on, but feel free to correct me:
Semi-Gloss Black - Frame
Semi-Gloss Black - Brake drums
Semi-Gloss Black - Rear Springs
Semi-Gloss Black - Front Springs
Semi-Gloss Black - Shock absorbers
Semi-Gloss Black - Clutch cross shaft/linkage
Semi-Gloss Black - Front suspension (main components)
Semi-Gloss Black - Radiator support (fasteners, too?)
Semi-Gloss Black - Transmission (including shift rods?)
Semi-Gloss Black - Driveline
Semi-Gloss Black - Differential
Natural steel - Park brake cables/mechanism
Unpainted - Suspension bumpers
Unpainted - Suspension fasteners
Unpainted - Shock mounting fasteners
Unpainted - Fuel lines
Unpainted - Brake lines
Unpainted - Rebound straps
Cadmium - Stabilizer bar links

Please tell me where I'm wrong or just help fill in the blanks.
Thanks, guys.

[Gary C.]

Re: 56 Chassis Detail

Mark,

First - Richard Brodeur had an article in the Restorer in 2003 about chassis finishes. 56-7 may differ slightly in some cases. My two cents answers worth to your questions are below.

Gary
....
Exhaust fasteners painted? No
Front crossmember bolts painted? Blackened
Front suspension pivot shafts, bushings, seals and associated hardware painted black? No
Rear diff. u-bolts painted? No
Rear spring bands? No
Bolts, shackles and bushings? Not painted, fasteners blackened
Wheel cylinders and other components for brakes at the wheel? No
Wheel backing plates painted Yes
Brake shoes, wheel cylinders NoOther components attach to (inside)? No
Master cylinder? I saw that it could be either black or unpainted? Prefer Natural
3rd arm? Prefer Natural Finish
Painted as an assembly, including attached components, tie rods and bolts painted? Yes
Grease zerks painted? No
Park brake linkage on frame and other attachments and fasteners painted? No, fasteners blackened
Do exhaust pipes and mufflers have a heavy/complete coating of black paint or light? Painted but not dripping heavy
Steering relay BOX? and associated fasteners painted? No, prefer Natural finish on steering box, fasteners blackened
Bumper mounts Brackets front and rear painted black along with fasteners? Yes, fasteners blackened
Motor mount to frame bolts painted? Blackened
Fasteners to attach transmission mounts and crossmember painted black? Yes, fasteners blackened Maybe a simpler question would be: What subassemblies are assembled and attached as a unit after painting? That would tell me what fasteners need to be painted and which ones don't.

See below for items I'm pretty sure on, but feel free to correct me:
Semi-Gloss Black - Frame Yes
Semi-Gloss Black - Brake drums No, natural finish
Semi-Gloss Black - Rear Springs Yes, each individual element, not assembly
Semi-Gloss Black - Front Springs Yes
Semi-Gloss Black - Shock absorbers Yes
Semi-Gloss Black - Clutch cross shaft/linkage Yes
Semi-Gloss Black - Front suspension (main components) Yes
Semi-Gloss Black - Radiator support (fasteners, too?) Yes, fasteners blackened
Semi-Gloss Black - Transmission (including shift rods?) Natural finish
Semi-Gloss Black - Driveline Driveshaft, Yes
Semi-Gloss Black - Differential Yes, however some prefer natural
Natural steel - Park brake cables/mechanism No
Unpainted - Suspension rubber? bumpers No
Unpainted - Suspension fasteners Blackened
Unpainted - Shock mounting fasteners Natural finish on bottom washers and nut, bolts if used are blackened
Unpainted - Fuel lines Natural
Unpainted - Brake lines Natural
Unpainted - Rebound straps Natural
Cadmium - Stabilizer bar links Yes

[Michael H.]

Re: 56 Chassis Detail

You'd think by now, with my very limited knowledge of C1's, that I wouldn't get myself in trouble trying to answer questions but.... betcha the brake drums were coated chassis black. (along with a few other misc items)

Was the clutch cross shaft really painted black? Or did it maybe receive a bit of chassis black during final blackout?

[Mark P.]

Re: 56 Chassis Detail

Gary,

Thanks for the response. What do you mean by blackened on fasteners? Are you talking about a black oxide finish? Is that something you do yourself, because many of the aftermarket individuals fasteners are all zinc or cad plated. Just for clarification, is the transmission black and the shift rods natural? That's the way I read it.

Also, as far as items on your preferences, will your preferences pass judging (like on the steering box and the diff.)? I guess I'm wondering if it would pass either way. FYI, I far prefer the natural finish if it is a possibility.

[John H.]

Re: 56 Chassis Detail

Just for clarification, is the transmission black and the shift rods natural? That's the way I read it.

The Saginaw 3-speed transmission is natural cast iron.

[Gary C.]

Re: 56 Chassis Detail

Mark, transmission is natural as John points out. You can blacken the fasteners yourself with a kit from Caswell or Eastwood. Gary....

[Mark P.]

Re: 56 Chassis Detail

Gary,

Tons of help...thanks for all of the input. Another question...
Front stabilizer bar finish? natural or black. The JG says the front suspension and cross member assembly was "sprayed after assembly, but before mounting to the frame."

Thanks,
Mark

[Gary C.]

Re: 56 Chassis Detail

Mark, the sway bar and brackets are painted. Bolts blackened. Gary....

[Mark P.]

Re: 56 Chassis Detail

Gary,

I've got the frame soda blasted and ready to paint...now for the right paint. From what I have seen, there are as many recommendations out there as there are different kinds of paint. Do you have a suggestion on what paint to use? I want to get the gloss right since I plan on having it judged, but I also want to avoid the original asphaltic paint if possible. I want something fairly durable, but that looks close enough that I won't get dinged on points too badly. I have heard some claim that Eastwood makes a good paint that is fairly close and will pass muster on judging...any thoughts?

Thanks,
Mark

[Steven B.]

Re: 56 Chassis Detail

Gary,

I've got the frame soda blasted and ready to paint...now for the right paint. From what I have seen, there are as many recommendations out there as there are different kinds of paint. Do you have a suggestion on what paint to use? I want to get the gloss right since I plan on having it judged, but I also want to avoid the original asphaltic paint if possible. I want something fairly durable, but that looks close enough that I won't get dinged on points too badly. I have heard some claim that Eastwood makes a good paint that is fairly close and will pass muster on judging...any thoughts?

Thanks,
Mark

Mark, side question; What condition, pitting, etc., was your frame in before soda blasting and how does the frame look after soda blasting (acceptable to you)?

Thanks!

Steve

[Gary C.]

Re: 56 Chassis Detail

Mark, sorry for the slow response was attending the Bend Regional meet. Don't really have a recommendation for you as I've always used flatten Imron on my frames and have good results with it. It's tough and durable. Check the archives and there's been lots of discussions about frame paint in the past. Most of the chassis Judges I know will accept it if it's not glossy and doesn't look like powder coating. Gary....

[Mark P.]

Re: 56 Chassis Detail

Kind of weird that I'm responding to my own post, but I've gotten several requests as to how my frame turned out after soda blasting, so I thought I'd post on the results.

I was very impressed with the process and the surface metal is very smooth and nice. I've used sand and media blasters and, to varying degrees, they left the surfaces a little rough. I was thrilled to see the frame on the 56 tourn out so nice. It was in pretty good shape anyway, but it was beautiful when finished. FYI, I don't know that I would use the soda process on a heavily rusted frame. I do't think it's agressive enough. JMHO.

Perhaps I can post some pictures of the area around the VIN stamp and other areas later today.

Thanks for the interest.
Mark