Frame

[J N.]

Hello All,
This is my first post. I have tried the search and I am not finding what I am looking for. Please forgive ignorance of the search procedure if this is easily found.
I bought some "asphalt-based frame and chassis paint" from Corvette Central. They claim this paint is from the original manufacturer of the chassis paint for my 57. "this product is supplied for restorers who demand authenticity in their restorations and won't settle for less."
Well I painted my frame friday, frame off, it went on glossy but I though it might die down by monday. Well not the case my frame is glossy enough to shave in.
My question is has anyone used this paint? It does not look right to me. Corvette Central tech dept. told me I needed to drive the car and get the frame dirty then it will look right. Really come on. Please help,
H

[Ken A.]

Re: Frame

They are correct.

[J N.]

Re: Frame

Okay here is where my confusion comes in. I went to Barrett Jackson in Feb 2009 the NCRS had a booth set up with a 1957 frame full assembled. I took probably 100 photos to help with my restoration. The frame NCRS had there did not have much of a gloss in fact there are not even any reflections from my flash.
My freshly painted frame is a high gloss?
So is the NCRS frame not correct or is the Corvette Central paint not correct.
I understand there are some variables here and that these cars were all different in degrees but I am looking at 2 extremes. THanks in advance

[Roy S.]

Re: Frame

[Steven B.]

Re: Frame

I am not an expert, either. I only wish I were. When I got my '57 in '64, a non-winter car for the most part, there were areas that were surprisingly glossy. Since these frames were stored outside before assembly for a time and the cars outside for various periods the gloss will dull somewhat. They all varied to some extent in application technique, coating, exposure, storage and driving conditions before and after customer delivery. The as assembled and delivery appearance spanned a continuum, likely not a single appearance for all.

[Michael H.]

Re: Frame

In general I believe the frames were somewhere between gloss black (like an exterior finish) and what I call egg shell black (like a mid year firewall or inner fender)..

I think Roy has it pretty close. Remember too that it may also depend on the weather. (huh?) If the frames were stored outside in the rain for a few days of production, the semi gloss may become a bit less glossy. Things like this would have more of an effect on real chassis black than it would on any type of paint.
Control arms, and other items (complete differential) coated with chassis black would not have been stored outside so the original gloss level would be maintained during chassis assembly.

Chassis black dulls down a bit on it's own after a while too.