halfway correct chassis colors

[rapidride3]

1976 1/2 ton 2wd longbed. Im looking to paint the frame, steering gear, rebuild front end, etc. By no means is this a concours restoration but I am looking to be fairly correct on chassis colors. I plan on shooting the frame with an 80% gloss black.
Questions: What color was the centerlink, tie rods, brake proportioning valve, brake backing plates, spindles, steering box, etc? Im thinking some of tbis may have been RAW but aren't quite sure. Any restorers help or people in the "know" would be GREATLY appreciated!
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[Keith Seymore]

If it's not a concours restoration then I wouldn't leave anything "raw"; your 80% gloss black will make everything appear cleaner (and for a longer period of time).

Having said that - I would paint everything in your list black except the brake proportioning valve, which would not be painted. It would be whatever the base material is (probably brass and therefore yellow/gold colored).

K

[Keith Seymore]

Rapidride - I see you are in St Louis.

I'm sitting in the body shop of the Wentzville plant as I type this. We are building some special vehicles today (Saturday) down the regular assembly line.

K

[N2TRUX]

I recommend look at the Eastwood line of restoration products. Like you suggested and Keith confirmed many of the items mentioned came from the factory raw or "as cast". Eastwood has a great variety of shades and finishes that will emulate natural metal finish while protecting it from the elements.

[dieseldawg142]

por 15 makes some natural metal paint
http://www.por15.com/METAL-MASK_p_40.html
http://www.por15.com/FACTORY-MANIFOLD-GRAY_p_51.html

Keith- special??

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by dieseldawg142

Keith- special??

2016 model year; "Integration" builds. Normally would be built in a stall at the Prep-production shops. In the old days these would be somewhere between a "mule" and a "prototype".

K

[lha1992]

I would recommend the Eastwood or the POR15 paint just as previously recommeded.

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

2016 model year; "Integration" builds. Normally would be built in a stall at the Prep-production shops. In the old days these would be somewhere between a "mule" and a "prototype".

K

Keith, when you say "integration" builds what does that mean? As in integrated old and new body styles? But really the 2016 model year vehicles now?

[dieseldawg142]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

2016 model year; "Integration" builds. Normally would be built in a stall at the Prep-production shops. In the old days these would be somewhere between a "mule" and a "prototype".

K

well, i guess thats cool too. thought you might be sliding a few zz572 camaro's threw!

[rapidride3]

No doubt. I didn't plan on leaving anything raw. For this I planned on some type of "as cast" type of paint for corrosion protection. I just wasn't sure what was actually shot in black and what was a natural finish.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by lha1992

Keith, when you say "integration" builds what does that mean? As in integrated old and new body styles? But really the 2016 model year vehicles now?

"Integration" means engineering properties. So these are for engineering use (not as a manufacturing exercise).

Yes - these are early early builds. As I mentioned, they are a little more representative than a "mule" property.

These are the definitions I go by:

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

Chronologically in order of level of refinement:

Mule vehicle: this is a previously completed vehicle that is modified by cutting/pasting/cobbling the new content. Typical usage is for engineering development/concept development.

Integration vehicle: can be either a modified existing vehicle or ground up build. Parts will be production design intent (mostly) off either prototype or production tooling. Can be either stall (stationary) build or line built. Typical usages are for engineering development or validation/durability testing. In the old days these might be called "Prototype" vehicles.

Manufacturing Validation Build - Nonsaleable: these are built in the assembly plant. Parts are production tooled (hopefully) but not saleable status yet. Purpose of the build is to validation the manufacturing process, highlight build problems that need to be fixed before mainstream production. Vehicles are fairly refined but have a "nonsaleable" (ie experimental) VIN and cannot be sold or titled. Typical usages are for Engineering and early Marketing uses. In the old days we might have called these "pilot" vehicles.

Manufacturing Validation Build - Saleable: built in the assembly plant. Parts are production tooled, fully saleable status, suppliers have proven they can meet production line rates. Purpose of the build is the next level of refinement in the validation process, continue to surface build problems that need to be addressed, and gain confidence in the ability of the process to meet line rate. Typical usages are for Engineering, Captured Test Fleets, and more formal Marketing events. We would call these "pilot" vehicles, too, or very early regular production vehicles.

Lastly there is the Start of Regular Production: these are the real deal. Regular high volume vehicles released to the public.

K

[izzy_Britton]

Kieth... got Pictures?

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by izzy_Britton

Kieth... got Pictures?

Not that I can post publicly.



K