A O Smith Body Paint

[Paul D.]

Were the Midyear bodys made at A O Smith painted before they left to go St.Louis? If so was the paint supplied them the same as St.Louis? Did A O Smith have the ovens to bake the paint? What about the hardtops and where were they painted/assembled with the Smith bodies? Were they Painted and assembled with each car or made in color batches? Were the hardtops all made in St. Louis?..............

[Mike M.]

Re: A O Smith Body Paint

Hi Paul
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes, I think the hardtops were painted with the car and the colors were batched.
and I believe
No
Perhaps some of the other guys can clarify, if needed.
HaND

[Michael W.]

Re: A O Smith Body Paint

Paul,

Looking to the pics and articles I have on the AO factory I can only conclude that the bodies left the plant painted!

[Lawrence M.]

Re: A O Smith Body Paint

Paul, the the Winter 1980 Restorer Vol 6 #3 has a great article on AO Smith Corvette Body production. One photo shows a convertible with hardtop going thru the primer sanding operation. I belive the hardtop stayed with the body thru the painting. The AO Smith operation was set up in preperation to move Corvette assembly back to Flint Michigan, so the bodies arrived in ST. Louis ready to enter the line at body drop. The plan to move assembly back to Flint Michigan was eventually canceled and AO Smith body production ended after the 1967 model year. I'm sure guys like John Hinkley or Micheal Hanson would have much more info than me.

Larry

[John H.]

Re: A O Smith Body Paint

I wrote a comprehensive feature article on the A.O. Smith Corvette body assembly process in the June '06 issue of "Corvette Enthusiast" magazine. You can download it from:

http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_.../A.O.Smith.pdf

[Bill S.]

Re: A O Smith Body Paint

john, thank you for this post. i have been looking for info on A O smith as i have one. one question. were hard tops painted with all the trim and gaskets on? post like yours are why i joined.

[John H.]

Re: A O Smith Body Paint

john, thank you for this post. i have been looking for info on A O smith as i have one. one question. were hard tops painted with all the trim and gaskets on? post like yours are why i joined.

Bill -

Nope. The hardtop was painted as a "shell", with the trim, moldings, windows, and weatherstrips all added later, in an off-line subassembly in the Trim Shop, after paint.

[Bill S.]

Re: A O Smith Body Paint

john, one last thing i have been trying to figure out with hardtops. in regards to painting the inside frame or perimeter. when i took off the trim i saw that this was painted but rather haphazerdly, I.E. alot of over spray, the interior color. was this done just prior to assembly? or with the trim on?

[John H.]

Re: A O Smith Body Paint

john, one last thing i have been trying to figure out with hardtops. in regards to painting the inside frame or perimeter. when i took off the trim i saw that this was painted but rather haphazerdly, I.E. alot of over spray, the interior color. was this done just prior to assembly? or with the trim on?

Bill -

All painting (the top frame and the interior moldings) was done prior to subassembling the top.

[Steven B.]

Re: A O Smith Body Paint

Were the Midyear bodys made at A O Smith painted before they left to go St.Louis? If so was the paint supplied them the same as St.Louis? Did A O Smith have the ovens to bake the paint? What about the hardtops and where were they painted/assembled with the Smith bodies? Were they Painted and assembled with each car or made in color batches? Were the hardtops all made in St. Louis?..............

Paul, Joe Trybulec's post/picture today (rail car unloading at AO Smith) shows a painted convertible with white soft top up on a dolly. 'Good pic!

Steve