Mufflers-Black?

[Kenn S.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

As far as C3's go, I can definitely say this: the original mufflers on my 1969 were painted on the bottom, sides, and outlet end. They were definitely NOT painted on the top surface. In fact, I still have the original left side muffler around here somewhere.

Is "chassis blackout" paint the same paint as used on the frame itself? In some images it appears thicker, but that's probably just my interpretation of the image.

Joe, were the hangers oversprayed too (re: Mike's '65)? Careless drips/runs on the muffler?

[Terry M.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

Is "chassis blackout" paint the same paint as used on the frame itself? In some images it appears thicker, but that's probably just my interpretation of the image.

The thicker coating on the mufflers that you refer to is what I am familiar with on 1968-1972 factory mufflers. The typical BBQ black often used in restoration is a poor substitute IMO, but then I am not likely to judge chassis anytime soon.

[Joe L.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

Is "chassis blackout" paint the same paint as used on the frame itself? In some images it appears thicker, but that's probably just my interpretation of the image.

Joe, were the hangers oversprayed too (re: Mike's '65)? Careless drips/runs on the muffler?

Kenn-----


Curiously, I don't recall there being any over-spray on the hangers. However, that's been so long since I changed the original hangers I probably wouldn't recall if there was any.

Also, I'm pretty sure that the mufflers were painted after installation on the car and after the body was on the frame. That's because there was slight overspray on the adjoining lower quarter panel area. As close as the mufflers are to that area, I am surprised there was not a lot more overspray, though.

[Joe L.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

The thicker coating on the mufflers that you refer to is what I am familiar with on 1968-1972 factory mufflers. The typical BBQ black often used in restoration is a poor substitute IMO, but then I am not likely to judge chassis anytime soon.

Terry------


One thing I do recollect: the coating on the 2" SERVICE mufflers was thicker than paint would be. However, it was not an asphaltic coating like that used on frames, steering linkage, etc..

[Rick B.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

Michael, I cannot really makeout that 65 photo and the details you refer to. Anyway to post a couple of other shots to give context?

Thanks

Rick

[Terry M.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

Terry------


One thing I do recollect: the coating on the 2" SERVICE mufflers was thicker than paint would be. However, it was not an asphaltic coating like that used on frames, steering linkage, etc..

I have had several Early C3 owners tell me: "It cleaned right off with a gasoline soaked rag." Hard to believe it is not an asphalt based coating, or something very close in the distillation process to that.

[Joe L.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

I have had several Early C3 owners tell me: "It cleaned right off with a gasoline soaked rag." Hard to believe it is not an asphalt based coating, or something very close in the distillation process to that.

Terry------


The PRODUCTION coating may very well have been an asphaltic-type coating like frame paint. It was the 2" SERVICE mufflers that I'm describing with the heavy black coating which did not appear to be asphaltic in nature. It seemed thicker than paint but was durable like paint.

Addendum:

Sal C. has a 3960601 for sale on eBay (120384771792). You can see how it was painted on the bottom, sides and end. The coating does not appear real thick in this example; the ones I recall had thicker appearing paint/coating.

[John H.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

There are a couple of interesting images in Peter Licastro's "Birthplace of Legends" book that bear on this subject. Page 69 shows a '69 Corvette at Body Drop with black-painted mufflers, and pages 78 and 79 show a '78 at Body Drop, and the mufflers are bright and shiny - not a trace of paint on them. I'd post the images, but they're copyrighted.

There was no painting of chassis components after Body Drop; the tires went on in the next station.

[Rick B.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

here are some photos of 3943385 & 3943386 versions that support the conversation and some of Joe's points.

[Joe L.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

There are a couple of interesting images in Peter Licastro's "Birthplace of Legends" book that bear on this subject. Page 69 shows a '69 Corvette at Body Drop with black-painted mufflers, and pages 78 and 79 show a '78 at Body Drop, and the mufflers are bright and shiny - not a trace of paint on them. I'd post the images, but they're copyrighted.

There was no painting of chassis components after Body Drop; the tires went on in the next station.

John-----


I can't tell from the photo if the top of the muffler is painted. On my car, the tops were definitely not painted.

There must have been some sort of touch-up done on the mufflers on my car after the body was on the frame. I definitely recollect that there was a slight amount of black overspray on the very bottom of the quarter panels where the panel "wraps under". However, I suppose it's possible that over-spray got on the car when blackout was performed on the fender wells before body drop.

[Kenn S.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

I have had several Early C3 owners tell me: "It cleaned right off with a gasoline soaked rag." Hard to believe it is not an asphalt based coating, or something very close in the distillation process to that.

I've been studying the (excellent) frame restoration book from Joe Tripoli. One of the things that surprised me was his comment about the petroleum-based frame paint that would dissolve if in contact with gasoline. His exact word was "cheap."

Sounds like the same line of thinking here...the mufflers could have been painted with the same petroleum-based paint. It at least sounds plausible...this then means the original blackout was frame paint (if true) and not a thicker, asphalt-based paint/coating. Just wondering, trying to compare and correlate expert sources.

[Joe L.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

All-------


One more thing: as far as I know, the mufflers for 1973-74 were painted black. In fact, if I recall correctly, they were completely painted black, including the top. Also, as I recall, the 73-74 SERVICE mufflers were painted completely black, too.

After 1974 I don't know what happened. However, according to the photo that John mentioned, apparently by 1978 they were not painted, at all. That's pretty understandable, too, since from 1975 onward the mufflers were not really visible. Even 74 were not very visible but the painting of those mufflers may just have been "carry-over" from 1973 (even though the mufflers were not the same for the two years).

[Michael H.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

However, I suppose it's possible that over-spray got on the car when blackout was performed on the fender wells before body drop.

Joe,

It was not at all uncommon to see wheel well blackout overspray on lower sections of the body color on quarter panels. It's also often seen on the lips of the wheel opening on the panels.

[Michael H.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

Sounds like the same line of thinking here...the mufflers could have been painted with the same petroleum-based paint. It at least sounds plausible...this then means the original blackout was frame paint (if true) and not a thicker, asphalt-based paint/coating. Just wondering, trying to compare and correlate expert sources.

Kenn,

I'm not sure but I think the frame coating and the coating used for the mufflers, at least for 63-67, (and possibly 68 and 69?) was very similar. In fact, it's possible that the two materials were exactly the same.
The frame coating is often refered to as "asphalt base". That probably means basically the same thing as petroleum base.

[John H.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

Kenn,

I'm not sure but I think the frame coating and the coating used for the mufflers, at least for 63-67, (and possibly 68 and 69?) was very similar. In fact, it's possible that the two materials were exactly the same.
The frame coating is often refered to as "asphalt base". That probably means basically the same thing as petroleum base.

Michael -

Per the plant process notes from the late George Barlos, the chassis blackout paint (in 55-gallon drums) was GM #3686683 "Underbody Protective Coating", described as a sprayable asphaltic mastic. I don't recall what A.O. Smith used at the frame plant across the river.