Painting the frame "Gloss" versus "Semi-Gloss"

[timme69680]

I know that everyone has a different opinion on this but i thought i would throw it out there and see what i got back. Personally, i think that semi-gloss is the way to go on the frame and then gloss other pieces that touch the frame. I read a really good artical last month in one of the big magazines on how to accent the under side of your classic/custom without going overboard. However, being the rookie that I am it would be dumb of me not to tap the brain power and expierence in this forum for ideas. For instance I am going to paint the exterior of the car corvette orange (one of the original factory colors) but I thought it would look really nice if I painted the under body the same color. Well i think this should be a good start. Please don't hold anything back, I am really struggling with what to do with the paint situation.

Oh yeah almost forgot check out the site for updates www.helptimmebuyahonda.com (hit the teardown page) i finally got the body off and I will have the car down to the frame by Wed. I am off all this week!

 

[Mac]

It all depends on what you intend to do with your Vette. If you want to drive it lots, gloss paint will look like semi-gloss pretty quickly as it gets abrasion from the dust & dirt. Do you mean to paint the frame the same colour as the body or to paint the underbody to match the exterior??

By the way (after reading your website), you should have tagged everything you stripped off the engine regardless of whether you intend to reinstall the old one because eventually, you're going to be putting something under the hood, right? Guessing which wire or hose goes where isn't as much fun as it sounds.

-Mac

 

[timme69680]

The car is not going to be driven very much, I am wanting to have it as a 'show' car. I guess I should have been a little more clear, I am thinking of painting the underbody the same color as the exterior.

I am not to worried about the hoses and stuff, I am putting all the original parts back on and I have all the wiring tagged pretty darn good. The vacuum system is another story altogether, has never really worked all that well so I am going to have to trace that all down with a fine tuned comb. YUK

 

[CQRT]

Greetings:
I went the same route as Timme with our 74 - - -sanded the frame and wheel wells and painted with semi-gloss or satin finish - -- painted springs and connecting pieces with gloss - - -gunmetal/hammered finish on the pourous/rough finished pieces like the pumpkin and half-shafts.

I'm not going to show the car, just enjoy having it look "finished" and straightened up. I guess as he's said, it's a matter of preference -- heck, I'm just glad to live in Arizona where I can drive the car year-round and not have to put it away for the winter !

Happy Thanksgiving to all !

 

[Mac]

The vacuum lines aren't all that complicated but making sure each one is properly seated & sealed is time-consuming. With mine, half the lines were crumbly so I tossed the lot and bought a new set.

I wanted to maintain factory look but driver friendly, so I powdercoated my frame & suspension pieces and cleaned all the grunge off the underbody but I didn't paint it.

If you're wondering what painting the underbody would look like, you can see a C2 done up right at 67Heaven's website..... CLICK!

-Mac

 

[Fuelie]

I like the idea of painting the underbody of the car the same orange as the exterior.

Your idea of some contrast with the semi gloss black frame and all gloss black attaching parts such as control arms, will look great.

If you do the trans in natural / alum and the diff and half shafts in stainless or cast paint it should look great.

The car will be easier than you think to keep somewhat clean underneath.

Keep giving us updates, you are just getting to the good part.

Take care,
Brian

 

[celeryman22]

I just got done painting my frame gloss black urethane. All the parts that attached will also be gloss black. the upper and lower control arms are black powder coated, rear trailing arms are black gloss urethane, shocks are black AC delco, spindle and steering is black urethane. Brake calipers are black caliper paint. I am still debating on the color of the differential, I would like to clean it up to match the differential cover which is shinier.
www.vette-restoration.com

I to am going to paint the underside of the body the same color as the top.

 

[TriTown]

Painting the frame black

I restored a 1969 Camaro convertible several years back. The correct paint to use is from Sherwin Williams. It's called Acrylyd. It's a GM retoration black for under the hood, frame etc. You buy it at your GM dealer. If memory serves me it cost $50.00 a gallon and is a dead wringer for the original look.
My thought on semi or gloss is to paint it what ever way makes you happy. It's your car. Besides it would look good either way!
Joe

 

[76L82]

If you don't care about a "concurs" level car, why not paint the underside of the car the same color as what's on top. I can bet that the gloss black frame will really provide some "pop" to both the frame and body when they are in constrast to each other.

In restoring my 70 Camaro, I painted everything on the underside, including the inner wheel wells a gloss black. It looks real nice but I would have liked to have had the forethought of painting the underside the same color as the topside and detailing the frame members in a gloss black...that would have been neat...and different then what's out there.

I am not sure if you would want to use POR 15 on your frame beforehand, I di on my Camaro just for rust neutralization.