Restoration guide for colors of various components

[Sharky427]

I was wondering if a guide may have been created as to what colors the various components are originally painted, eg sway bars, frame, brake components, shocks etc. Also what areas are painted body color (eg. upper dash area body color, interior color or black?). Would be a real time saver as oppose to researching each and every component. Too many parts have been repainted over the years to be sure of originality.

[jft69z]

I have a list around here somewhere. If I can't find it, I'll look when I get home later & post it up. It came from a Chevelle restoration book that was pretty decent.

 

EDIT: I found a couple versions in my online drive. I tried to format it a little better in the Word document, vs. the .pdf file.

 

 

Underhood Details

 This basic outline provides the colors that you will be working with. It will get you started toward a pre­sentable undercarriage and engine compartment.

 

·    Frame, front control arms, and lower rear trailing arms: semigloss black (if painting black, the upper trailing arms are flat black). Some plants did not paint the rear trailing arms or transmission crossmember, so these could be painted natural steel as well.

·    Rear differential: same semigloss black or natural steel, depending on the plant.

·    Front and rear coil springs: either natural cast iron or semigloss black.

·    Front and rear sway bars: semigloss black or natural cast iron.

·     Shocks: shock gray.

·    Steering linkage: natural cast iron.

·     Brake calipers: natural cast iron or semigloss black.

·    Caliper brackets: gold cadmium.

·    Disc brake backing plates: origi­nally galvanized steel. Bright zinc is acceptable when restoring.

·    Tie-rods: natural cast iron.

·    Tie-rod sleeves and clamps: natural steel.

·    Steering box (power or manual): natural cast iron with natural alu­minum top plate.

·     Firewall, wheelhouses, and core support: semigloss black.

·     Radiator: gloss black.

·     Radiator top plate: semigloss black.

·     Cooling fan: gloss black.

·     Crank, water pump, and power steering pulleys: gloss black.

·     Power steering pump: gloss black.

·     Power steering bracket: gloss black.

·    Upper/lower alternator brackets: semigloss black.

·    Alternator: natural aluminum.

Paint Details  

·    Alternator fan: originally galva­nized, but high-performance is bright zinc, low-performance is semigloss black.

·    Fan clutch: natural aluminum with gold cadmium center face and nat­ural steel shaft and mount.

·    Heater housing on firewall: gloss black (Kansas City plant sprayed undercoating over the top edge and face of the firewall).

·     Heater fan housing: semigloss black.

·    Air-conditioner dog house: natural black fiberglass.

·    Air-conditioner compressor and brackets: semigloss black.

·     Hood hinges and upper/lower hood latch: dark gray phosphate.

·    Most small underhood brackets: semigloss black.

Exhaust manifolds: natural cast iron (special paint for exhaust).

·    Brake booster, proportioning valve bracket, and master cylinder cover: gold cadmium.

·    Master cylinder: either semigloss black or natural cast iron.

·    Proportioning valve: either semi­gloss black or natural cast iron.

·    Metering valve: either natural cast iron or natural brass, depending on plant.

·    Windshield washer pump: the base is natural aluminum and canister is bright zinc.

·    Horns: gloss black.

·    Voltage regulator: gloss black cover with galvanized or zinc base.

·    Ignition coil: gloss black.

·    Coil bracket: galvanized or zinc.

·    Distributor: natural cast aluminum.

·    Fuel and brake lines: natural steel.

·    Battery tray: semigloss black.

·    Intermediate       steering      column shaft: semigloss black.

·    Rag joint: natural cast iron.

·    Upper CV joint housing on inter­mediate shaft: semigloss black or dark gray phosphate.

·    Engine, cylinder heads, water pump, oil pan, valve covers (when not chromed), intake (when not aluminum), harmonic balancer: all Chevrolet orange.

·    Air cleaner (when painted): semi­gloss black.

·    Bellhousing: natural cast aluminum.

·    Transmission (both manual and automatic): natural cast aluminum.

·    Driveshaft: natural steel.

·    Fuel tank: natural galvanized steel.

·    Fuel tank straps: semigloss black

·    All parking brake cables: natural steel.

·    Bottom side of hood: semigloss black.

 

CHEVELLE RESTORATION AND AUTHENTICITY GUIDE: 1970-1972

 

paint1.docx Underhood refinish colors.pdf

[Sharky427]

jft69z I thank you very much for the information, saved me a lot of research. Now on to putting the frame back together!

[jft69z]

You're welcome! Don't forget to post pictures of your progress, we like that around here.