1970 Underbody Bracket Finishes

[Edward S.]

With the body off my car I have noticed what appears to be a dark grey paint applied over the brackets on the underside of the body. It is applied over the overspray from the painting process and extends out past the brackets in a sloppy fashion. My question is, is this a normal finish ? The judging manual does not get specific on this, and i believe this to be factory applied as no other items have been disturbed underneath, any help would be great

[Paul O.]

Re: 1970 Underbody Bracket Finishes

Ed

Are we talking about the seat rail, seat belt and other reinforcement brackets attached to the body. If so there were dip painted black have never seen a gray color on the brackets. The only other color I have seen under some of the brackets is green zinc chromate under the seat rail brackets only.

One question would be is this gray coating on top of the rivet heads if so then this coating was applied after factory production? The only gray paint would have been the dark gray primer on the body then the red primer.

What color is the body?

Paul 18046

[Edward J.]

Re: 1970 Underbody Bracket Finishes

Paul, What about blk. phosphate, sometimes there almost a dark gray finish, depending upon how long there left in the plating tank.I think I remember something in the JM about black painted or phosphate?

[Paul O.]

Re: 1970 Underbody Bracket Finishes

Ed

That finish would be on the heat shielding and could be dark almost black to a lighter gray phosphate finish. But all the reinforcement brackets attached to the under-body had a black dip painted finish other then the seat-belt reinforcement bracket in the drive shaft tunnel . That was silver Zinc or Cad finish.

Paul 18046

[Edward S.]

Re: 1970 Underbody Bracket Finishes

Ed

That finish would be on the heat shielding and could be dark almost black to a lighter gray phosphate finish. But all the reinforcement brackets attached to the under-body had a black dip painted finish other then the seat-belt reinforcement bracket in the drive shaft tunnel . That was silver Zinc or Cad finish.

Paul 18046

Hi Paul, this finish is applied over the rivets as well, just soda blasted a piece and found no black paint at all under any of the overspray or grey coating. Only the brackets in the rear of the car have this coating, the side rails and front brackets are black, and i am fairly certain i am the only one to raise the body on this car!!

[Paul O.]

Re: 1970 Underbody Bracket Finishes

Ed

If the rivet heads had this finish on top of them it was done at some later date not at the factory. I can also tell you from time to time we have seen no paint on the brackets but that is the exception not the norm.

What type of finish is on the seat mount brackets and what was the finish on the seat-belt in the drive shaft tunnel reinforcement bracket?


Paul 18046

[Edward S.]

Re: 1970 Underbody Bracket Finishes

Ed

If the rivet heads had this finish on top of them it was done at some later date not at the factory. I can also tell you from time to time we have seen no paint on the brackets but that is the exception not the norm.

What type of finish is on the seat mount brackets and what was the finish on the seat-belt in the drive shaft tunnel reinforcement bracket?


Paul 18046

Hi Paul, checking those brackets reveals the same type of treatment, is it possible that the brackets came bare steel and the factory painted them quick with some primer ? In any case i am going to blast them bare and paint them the correct black but take some pics of the way they are now

[Alan S.]

Re: 1970 Underbody Bracket Finishes

Hi Paul,
How are you? GOOD, I hope!
On my 71 the 4 small plates riveted to the underbody to receive the rear bolts of the seat tracks had a phosphate finish that survived on the surface which was against the fiberglass.
The large U shaped bracket for the seat-belt bolts was a silver (zinc?) finish. Again visible on the protected areas.
The large plates for the front bolts of the seat-tracks had the black dipped paint finish complete with runs and sags.
I've thought typical? Maybe not, based on what you've seen.
Regards,
Alan

[Paul O.]

Re: 1970 Underbody Bracket Finishes

Hi Paul,
How are you? GOOD, I hope!
On my 71 the 4 small plates riveted to the underbody to receive the rear bolts of the seat tracks had a phosphate finish that survived on the surface which was against the fiberglass.
The large U shaped bracket for the seat-belt bolts was a silver (zinc?) finish. Again visible on the protected areas.
The large plates for the front bolts of the seat-tracks had the black dipped paint finish complete with runs and sags.
I've thought typical? Maybe not, based on what you've seen.
Regards,
Alan

Alan you are right I missed that one the rear seat mount brackets can be black phosphate, black paint and some have been seen natural. Also you are correct the fronts as with all other painted brackets were dipped.

Paul 18046

[Paul O.]

Re: 1970 Underbody Bracket Finishes

Hi Paul, checking those brackets reveals the same type of treatment, is it possible that the brackets came bare steel and the factory painted them quick with some primer ? In any case i am going to blast them bare and paint them the correct black but take some pics of the way they are now

Ed

Check Alan post below also the rear seat mount brackets can also be black phosphate. Please if you take photos post them here so we can see what you have seen.

Paul 18046

[Paul O.]

Re: 1970 Underbody Bracket Finishes

Paul, What about blk. phosphate, sometimes there almost a dark gray finish, depending upon how long there left in the plating tank.I think I remember something in the JM about black painted or phosphate?

Ed

Yes forgot about the 4 rear seat mount brackets could also be black phosphate.

Paul 18046