Mufflers-Black?

[Scott S.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

Does anyone have a photo of the spray-gun used in the blackout process?

[Tory S.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

FYI:

While at Nationals in Novi, I shot these pictures of a '75 Bowtie with only 9628 miles. Painted sides, back and tips. Tops are not painted. Notice hardspray line on inboard side of muffler - not much overpary. Paint also looks thin.

Remember John Hinkley wrote earleir that in '75 with the catalytic converters, the exhaust system was added when the chasis was upside down. Blackout was either already on these muffers before install or was done further down the line when chassis was right side up.

Tory

[Michael H.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

FYI:

While at Nationals in Novi, I shot these pictures of a '75 Bowtie with only 9628 miles. Painted sides, back and tips. Tops are not painted. Notice hardspray line on inboard side of muffler -
Tory

I'm pretty sure that by the early or mid 70's, there was no final blackout done on the line at St Louis. I think the mufflers were painted either off line or they may have arrived at St Louis already painted.

As I mentioned previously, the muffler coating for cars in the early/mid 70's range looked more like a thin coat of flat black paint instead of the semi gloss chassis black goonk that was used for 63-67, and possibly a few years later.

[Scott S.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

After reading the 63 posts (so far) in this Thread, corrections to the following summary would be very helpful.


1. The only place chassis blackout was used on later midyears (66-67) was the mufflers (evidence in pictures and archive posts from Michael Hanson show blackout used all over for 1963 & 1964). Not sure about 1965.

2. The chassis blackout paint was sprayed from above, while the frame was right side up, meaning the operator had to bend and reach to get the underside of the mufflers, unless the spray-gun was long (like a wand) with an angled end-fitting. Either way, it could be done.

3. The purpose of the chassis blackout, at least for later midyears, was to prevent the mufflers from being visible, either from the rear or from the side (through the gap in the wheel well).

4. The only way to accomplish the purpose above is to spray the outboard side of the muffler (whatever would be visible looking down into the wheel well), most of the outboard top side (same reason), all of the bottom side (what would be visible under the car from the rear, if you were driving behind a midyear), and also a shot of blackout to the inboard side of the mufflers from below, since many tire tubs apparently show evidence of blackout overspray in this area.

Also, most of the rear/back plate, where the pipe exits the muffler, gets sprayed during the process, either intentionally or unintentionally, according to photos from the era in both Adams (p. 318) and Licastro (p. 69). This only leaves the upper inboard side of each muffler without blackout, and even that might be blacked out on some cars if the spray-gun operator wasn't careful, which of course he had no reason to be.

If any part of the above is wrong, please shoot it full of holes



If this summation is accurate, then we should be able to replicate the process using a similar application device. Does anyone have a picture of the blackout spray-gun?

Finally, what is a good modern substitute for the short-lasting "asphaltic mastic" blackout paint, that would look the same, but be long lasting?

[Gene M.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

............Finally, what is a good modern substitute for the short-lasting "asphaltic mastic" blackout paint, that would look the same, but be long lasting?[/FONT]

How about latex driveway sealer? It's kinda thick and very black. One would have to pour it on with the mufflers off the car to get the run effect. But I don't know about it's ability to resist heat.

I never try this, just a thought......

[Michael H.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

After reading the 63 posts (so far) in this Thread, corrections to the following summary would be very helpful.


1. The only place chassis blackout was used on later midyears (66-67) was the mufflers (evidence in pictures and archive posts from Michael Hanson show blackout used all over for 1963 & 1964). Not sure about 1965.

2. The chassis blackout paint was sprayed from above, while the frame was right side up, meaning the operator had to bend and reach to get the underside of the mufflers, unless the spray-gun was long (like a wand) with an angled end-fitting. Either way, it could be done.

3. The purpose of the chassis blackout, at least for later midyears, was to prevent the mufflers from being visible, either from the rear or from the side (through the gap in the wheel well).

4. The only way to accomplish the purpose above is to spray the outboard side of the muffler (whatever would be visible looking down into the wheel well), most of the outboard top side (same reason), all of the bottom side (what would be visible under the car from the rear, if you were driving behind a midyear), and also a shot of blackout to the inboard side of the mufflers from below, since many tire tubs apparently show evidence of blackout overspray in this area.

Also, most of the rear/back plate, where the pipe exits the muffler, gets sprayed during the process, either intentionally or unintentionally, according to photos from the era in both Adams (p. 318) and Licastro (p. 69). This only leaves the upper inboard side of each muffler without blackout, and even that might be blacked out on some cars if the spray-gun operator wasn't careful, which of course he had no reason to be.

If any part of the above is wrong, please shoot it full of holes



If this summation is accurate, then we should be able to replicate the process using a similar application device. Does anyone have a picture of the blackout spray-gun?

Finally, what is a good modern substitute for the short-lasting "asphaltic mastic" blackout paint, that would look the same, but be long lasting?

Scott,

It's true that less and less final blackout was done for 65-67, although a few items were still coated. (top/sides of the front stabilizer bar, for example)

When final blackout was done, the completed chassis was on a slightly elevated conveyor, about 18" above ground level. The wheels and tires were not yet installed. That's why the angle of spray was mostly aimed directly at the side of the muffler body. I don't think the rear panel and/or muffler hanger were an intended target, although it's likely some mist overspray would hit these items from time to time, depending on who was doing the spraying.

The purpose of the muffler blackout was as you describe. I think most of the original intent was to hide the mufflers from the rear but I've also seen some that show a coating on the bottom and part of the top surface. I suppose this too would depend on the person doing the painting.

I've never seen the actual blackout process but I have to guess the equipment was a pressure fed system similar to that used for undercoating.

Chassis/radiator black should be available at most automotive paint supply stores.

[Mike M.]

Re: Mufflers-Black?

I see something about the bottoms of the mufflers (these on a '65) being a black color. I guess they did this at the factory when the cars were new? I am putting new mufflers on my car. Should they be painted (mitted?) black? Thanks

Well, I bought some CC mufflers and had them put on. I sprayed a bit of black high temp paint on the bottoms and end. They look great. I can see why they needed to have a bit of black on them as they really stand out if not painted. Thanks for all the responses.
Mike