Rally wheel color..silver or black??

[John H.]

Re: Rally wheel color..silver or black??

John, did/when was the electrostatic method used?

Thanks!

Steve

Steve -

Electrostatic equipment wasn't used for wheel painting in GM plants. As pressures mounted from the EPA on VOC's and paint system maintenance costs skyrocketed, the wheel painting and small-parts prime systems were removed from GM plants in the 70's and those parts were purchased already painted from the suppliers.

At one point in the early 70's, we spent $30-$40 million per plant to install dedicated urethane paint systems to paint bumper fascias, and then tore them all out and had the molders paint them (which continues today as an industry-wide standard). I remember chartering lots of airplanes for several months to fly painted fascias from a new Guide Division fascia molding/painting plant in Rimir, Mexico to several assembly plants while Guide learned how to match body color.

[Michael H.]

Re: Rally wheel color..silver or black??

Steve -

Electrostatic equipment wasn't used for wheel painting in GM plants. As pressures mounted from the EPA on VOC's and paint system maintenance costs skyrocketed, the wheel painting and small-parts prime systems were removed from GM plants in the 70's and those parts were purchased already painted from the suppliers.

At one point in the early 70's, we spent $30-$40 million per plant to install dedicated urethane paint systems to paint bumper fascias, and then tore them all out and had the molders paint them (which continues today as an industry-wide standard). I remember chartering lots of airplanes for several months to fly painted fascias from a new Guide Division fascia molding/painting plant in Rimir, Mexico to several assembly plants while Guide learned how to match body color.

Weren't the wheels painted in the wheel/tire building at the Corvette plant? I thought so to the end of production in 1981?

Same for the front and rear rubber bumpers?

[John H.]

Re: Rally wheel color..silver or black??

Weren't the wheels painted in the wheel/tire building at the Corvette plant? I thought so to the end of production in 1981?

Same for the front and rear rubber bumpers?

Michael -

Wheels were painted in the wheel/tire building when I was there in '67-'68, but I never went back after '68; don't know for sure what they did after '68.

[Michael H.]

Re: Rally wheel color..silver or black??

Michael -

Wheels were painted in the wheel/tire building when I was there in '67-'68, but I never went back after '68; don't know for sure what they did after '68.

Thanks John. Pretty sure the wheels were still painted there at th end in 81.

By the way... did I give you a print of the St Louis wheel/tire building with the assy plant print or just the plant?
If not, I can try to make one and bring it to Kissimmee.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Rally wheel color..silver or black??

I too would like to know the closest match for the 1967 argent silver color. Years ago I had some enamel mixed but the color did not look correct and with the clear that's normally mixed in the paint the finished product looked thick and shiney..

The original wheels I have don't look as if any pains were taken with this process and the paint looks kind of flat in color.