C1 Paint - What's the difference?

[Donald H.]

I was following a thread about 62 interior red paint. One respondant mentioned the book "Corvette V8 - 1955 - 1962, Complete Owner's Handook published by Floyd Clymer". I also have this book and looked up the paint chart that was referenced.

There are two paints listed for the 1960 exterior - One set is labeled Acrylic Lacquer and the other is Regular Lacquer. For example, under Acrylic Lacquer DuPont Lucite for Roman Red is 2931-LH and for Regular Lacquer DuPont DUCO for Roman Red is 2967-H. Also for 1960 Interior the only listed for Roman Red is the DUCO 2967-H.

So what was used on the exterior of 60 for Roman Red, the Acrylic lacquer or the Regular Lacquer, and what is the difference in the two paints, Acrylic lacquer and Regular Lacquer?

Does it relate to gloss level, or simply different chemistries in the paint makeup?

Thanks,

Don

[Wayne W.]

Re: C1 Paint - What's the difference?

The old or regular lacquer should be nitrocellulose lacquer. This paint was the standard for ages. In 58 acrylic lacquer was put into use. I don't know what colors but for some colors. I would assume that by 60 all colors were acrylic lacquer. The paint supply companies carried on the old lacquer formulas for some years before it was finally phased out. It is still available at a very few specialty paint outlets.

You are likely to find formula numbers for nitrocellulose, acrylic, and enamel in each color of the era.

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 Paint - What's the difference?

Thanks Wayne,

My concern was whether the interior and exterior may be different paint or a different gloss level, but looks like it was just a transition from Nitrocellulose to Acrylic laquers..

[John H.]

Re: C1 Paint - What's the difference?

Thanks Wayne,

My concern was whether the interior and exterior may be different paint or a different gloss level, but looks like it was just a transition from Nitrocellulose to Acrylic laquers..

Donald -

The interior parts were simply laid on the floor of the car and sprayed with exterior lacquer; you can see their outlines on most original cars.

[Edward L.]

Re: C1 Paint - What's the difference?

Donald -

The interior parts were simply laid on the floor of the car and sprayed with exterior lacquer; you can see their outlines on most original cars.

I have restored a fair number of cars over the years, and I have yet to see any evidence that the procedure you describe took place. Do you, or anyone out there, have any documentation regarding this practice that you could share with the membership?

Thanks,
Ed

[Joe R.]

Re: C1 Paint - What's the difference?

I don't have much experience with C-1's but I did one 1958 Black with a Red Interior, Silver Coves etc.
The exterior was acrylic lacquer (Black) and the interior was Nitrocelluose lacquer.
I had the paint analyzed and there is no doubt!
At the time the Black acrylic lacquer was no problem and I ordered the Red Nitrocelluose from Winning Colors (I think).
The match was perfect compared to some interior trim pieces that were protected from the sun light (faded).

As far as painting the interior pieces while laid on the floorpan could work IF the interior and exterior were the same color.

In the case of the earlier C-1's the console sides were painted the interior color so at some place on the line a different color could be introduced.

I'm sure this procedure is what John was talking about and not just blasting paint all over everything.

JR

[Wayne W.]

Re: C1 Paint - What's the difference?

I have restored a fair number of cars over the years, and I have yet to see any evidence that the procedure you describe took place. Do you, or anyone out there, have any documentation regarding this practice that you could share with the membership?

Thanks,
Ed

I see it on just about every one, especially those with contrasting colors.

While I have no pictures of the original line that actually show the floor pan, there are many that show the gauge cluster in place on the paint line. Believe it or not, that's the way it was done.

[John H.]

Re: C1 Paint - What's the difference?

I see it on just about every one, especially those with contrasting colors.

While I have no pictures of the original line that actually show the floor pan, there are many that show the gauge cluster in place on the paint line. Believe it or not, that's the way it was done.

Ed -

That's correct - I have the original '58-'62 Paint Shop Process Notes (thanks to Harry Jones, who was there), and they're quite specific about the following interior parts being laid on the floor (some loose, some attached to pieces of cardboard) and painted there:

Cowl vent assembly
R/L kick panels
Speaker grille
RH dash package tray panel
RH dash finishing panel
Lower cluster gauge panel
Trunk finish-out panel

The dash end caps were loosely attached in place, each with one screw, and the upper cluster panel (speedo housing) was loosely-attached in position with two screws.