Paint Qs & Plating Qs

[David V.]

I'm new to the forum. I'm a solid axle guy. I own an early 57 & an early 58. Please define the differences in paint (black) terminology. What is chassis black & factory blackout? Glossy?, Flat?, semi-flat?, semi-glossy? or none of the above? What is the difference between semi-flat & semi-glossy black? If there are previous informative articles in the restorer re this topic, please cite. What or where is a good source/place to obtain the best products to replicate the various factory black colors? Please define the different plating terminologies. Thanks Guys. Happy Vetting. Dave Bethalto, IL.

[Jack H.]

Re: Paint Qs & Plating Qs

In general, the various English descriptors used by paint mfgrs as well as NCRS in the Judging Guide text, are sort of arbitrary.

Professional painters and mfgr/military specs tend to be more scientific by quoting gloss in terms of 'gloss factor' or 'percentage/degree' of gloss. The science here comes from a system of applying a known level of incident light onto the painted surface and measuring (over a pre-defined area) the amount of light actually reflected back off the target surface.

BUT, we try to discourage the use of on-field measurement tools to keep the cost of judging support equipment reasonable in keeping with our policy of judging by 'appearance'. Heck, if we didn't do that, someone would show up with a gas chromatigraph, take a sample of the air in the cars' tires and count the parts per million of DDT present to determine if that was REAL factory original air!!!!

So, this renders the issue of painted surface gloss factor to something that's moderately subjective. A surface rated FULL gloss would measure somewhere near 100% or 100 degrees in a gloss factor test and a FLAT gloss surface would fall near 0% or 0 degrees in the same test. All the other terms ('semi-gloss' Etc.) attempt to describe in plain English the intermediate points between 100 and zero...

[David V.]

Re: Paint Qs & Plating Qs

Thanks Jack. Anybody else wanna offer some advice on this topic? Dave Bethalto, IL.

[Paul J.]

Re: Paint Qs & Plating Qs

Dave:

Since you're new to the forum (Welcome, by the way) I'll tell you that you can access some very useful information from past discussions on your topic. Just seach the forum for "chassis black", "blackout", "frame paint" "semi-gloss", etc. You see where I'm going. There was much discussion not long ago about flattening paint and different glosses. There are also some discussions about who makes the paint and where you can get it.

Paul

[Chuck S.]

Re: Paint Qs & Plating Qs

I'm new to the forum. I'm a solid axle guy. I own an early 57 & an early 58. Please define the differences in paint (black) terminology. What is chassis black & factory blackout? Glossy?, Flat?, semi-flat?, semi-glossy? or none of the above? What is the difference between semi-flat & semi-glossy black? If there are previous informative articles in the restorer re this topic, please cite. What or where is a good source/place to obtain the best products to replicate the various factory black colors? Please define the different plating terminologies. Thanks Guys. Happy Vetting. Dave Bethalto, IL.

Eastwood and others sell a product called "chassis black". I'm not sure how closely it matches the black primer GM specified for use on most black chassis components, and I would be skeptical if told it was an exact match.

The gloss level of GM's black primer was about "eggshell" or "satin" gloss; that would be between "semi-flat" and "semi-glossy". You can buy satin black in aerosol cans, and it's probably close enough for judging purposes since the gloss level varied anyway. I would not use semiflat gloss on any area of a Corvette. Judging from the blackout gloss level on my car, my opinion is that factory blackout was done with that same GM primer,

Part 2...OK...So you want all the plating terminology here in a post? Can you narrow it down a little?...Are you asking about materials, how it's done, what?

[David V.]

Re: Paint Qs & Plating Qs

Thank You Paul & Chuck. You are right Paul I shouldn't be bothering you guys with Q's that have been asked & answered before. I will do my best to find it myself using the search engine. Thanks for the help guys.