Correct paint for 67 dash knobs

[Larry S.]

What is the correct gloss for the black paint used on 1967 dash knobs (heater, A/C, radio, etc)? Mine have lost almost all their paint, and I can't tell from the paint that's left the correct gloss. The wiper and lighter knobs have paint; it's worn but it appears glossy.

Anyone know of a good way to paint the knobs or know someone who does this? It looks like a tedious job.

[Wayne W.]

Re: Correct paint for 67 dash knobs

What is the correct gloss for the black paint used on 1967 dash knobs (heater, A/C, radio, etc)? Mine have lost almost all their paint, and I can't tell from the paint that's left the correct gloss. The wiper and lighter knobs have paint; it's worn but it appears glossy.

Anyone know of a good way to paint the knobs or know someone who does this? It looks like a tedious job.

I cant believe someone hasnt jumped on this one before now. So, I will take a crack at it and see what the comments are. I can assure you that they are not glossy black, but just what tone of satin they are is probably debatable. I would say that they are semi-gloss or satin, but I have seen some, especially later GM service parts that are more in the flat range.

[Stephen L.]

Re: Correct paint for 67 dash knobs

The headlight knob and the lighter knob are actually black plastic extruded onto the plastic chrome knob. Originals have the black plastic on the backside with a small "spade" symbol in the plastic. Using those as examples, I'd venture to say the black paint on the remaining knobs would be semigloss.......

The wiper knob is metal with a black plastic button glued to it.

They are a little tedious to paint. Just do a good mask job with some quality striping tape and they'll be ok.

[Dale S.]

Re: Correct paint for 67 dash knobs

On My 67 the original center of all 6(A/C) knobs appear to be flat black or maybe satin black. Definitely not glossy black. Dale

[Gerard F.]

Re: Correct paint for 67 dash knobs

Larry,

I would think that SEM 39143 would be perfect for the knobs.

I did them once with a lacquer (I think Krylon 1613) and they are starting to wear a little. You need to carefully mask them with painters masking tape, and cut out the top with an exacto knife.

You will need to take them down to bare chrome, and use a primer on the chrome. As they are subject to wear you may be better off with an enamel or more durable paint.

I've tried that SEM 39143 on my black dash around the radio and above, and it comes out to a perfect satin semi-flat finish. Next time I do the knobs, I'll use the SEM product.

[Larry S.]

Re: Correct paint for 67 dash knobs

The headlight knob and the lighter knob are actually black plastic extruded onto the plastic chrome knob. Originals have the black plastic on the backside with a small "spade" symbol in the plastic. Using those as examples, I'd venture to say the black paint on the remaining knobs would be semigloss.......

The wiper knob is metal with a black plastic button glued to it.

They are a little tedious to paint. Just do a good mask job with some quality striping tape and they'll be ok.

Stephen, my wiper knob does indeed have a black plastic button glued to it, and it's a bit shiny. So is the black on the headlight and lighter knobs (shiny, that is). Not to differ, but I find it odd that these knobs would be shiny and that the knobs around the radio and clock would be semi-gloss. Or has a previous owner maybe painted the shiny knobs?

In a nutshell, should all the dash knobs (except the wiper knob) more or less match in color gloss? I guess it wouldn't matter too much if the knobs are supposed to be semi-gloss, but others have suggested semi-flat. Thanks.

[Stephen L.]

Re: Correct paint for 67 dash knobs

Larry, I wouldn't call the black plastic flat nor a high gloss so that leaves semigloss which is in the eyes of the beholder. Now were the radio and heater knobs the same lustre??? Maybe......or maybe not. Probably less gloss than the plastic ones.

[Rick S.]

Re: Correct paint for 67 dash knobs

I refinished my radio and heater control knobs and used semi-gloss. I think that semi-gloss matched the original gloss more accurately.
Rick

[Scott S.]

Re: Correct paint for 67 dash knobs

The headlight knob and the lighter knob are actually black plastic extruded onto the plastic chrome knob. Originals have the black plastic on the backside with a small "spade" symbol in the plastic. Using those as examples, I'd venture to say the black paint on the remaining knobs would be semigloss.......

The wiper knob is metal with a black plastic button glued to it.

They are a little tedious to paint. Just do a good mask job with some quality striping tape and they'll be ok.

Stephen,

I think all three original dash-cluster knobs should be plastic, including the wiper knob. Maybe as part of the safety changes for 1967? Here's what I have:

Headlight Knob with attached rodLighter KnobWiper Knob

[Scott S.]

Re: Correct paint for 67 dash knobs

I noticed that the 1966 AIM calls out the same part number identification for the Headlight Rod Asm. as the 1967 Assembly Manual:

Headlight Knob with attached rod
1966 AIM: UPC 12-B4, Item 2, 3876490 Rod Asm. (pictured with correct 1966 knob)

Headlight Knob with attached rod
1967 AIM: UPC 12-B4, Item 2, 3876490 Rod Asm. (pictured with correct 1967 "mushroom" knob)


These cannot be the same part, because the knobs are considerably different for 1967, compared to 1966. The original Service Replacement part for 1966 is GM# 3876490 (same # used in both AIMs), while the original Service Replacement "ROD, Lighting Switch, with Knob" for 1967 is GM# 3901626.

Is this an error in the 1967 AIM, or is this an "assembly" vs "part of an assembly" situation?

[John H.]

Re: Correct paint for 67 dash knobs

Is this an error in the 1967 AIM, or is this an "assembly" vs "part of an assembly" situation?

It's an AIM error - when they carried over the 1966 illustration sheet, they corrected the knob shape, but failed to update the part number for the rod.

[Scott S.]

Re: Correct paint for 67 dash knobs

Thanks John!

[Scott S.]

Re: Correct paint for 67 dash knobs

Can someone explain how to post a brief reply (like "Thank You") in the title section without posting an actual message? I see that on the board frequently, and I tried to do it with the previous message, but it won't let me post with a only a message in the title bar, it says the message is too short.

How do you post replies that say something like " 'Thanks!' NM" (which I'm guessing means "no message")?

[Ara G.]

Re: Correct paint for 67 dash knobs

Jerry and all,
I used Semi Flat on all my knobs when I redid them and was very pleased with the sheen. Not too glossy, not too dull. The judges at Kissimmee liked them too. ARA