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Correct 77 Vette Frame Paint Color?

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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 06:28 PM
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Default Correct 77 Vette Frame Paint Color?

Which would be correct for a 77 frame, Semi Gloss or Satin? I'm considering going with one of Eastwoods products, but I'm not sure whether to get Semi Gloss or Satin.

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Troy
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 07:59 PM
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Either one of those would probably work. According to the NCRS Technical Information & Judging Guide frame color was a semi-flat to semi gloss black with a enamel base. If you interested in restoring you Corvette or keeping it original this is an invaluable book to have or the Authentic Restoration Guide 1968-1982 by Richard Prince. Both of these books are good resource's to have around.
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 09:44 PM
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I am currently renovating a rustproofed southern 1977 and when I wash the goo off with mineral spirits I see bare steel. No paint at all. The welds on my frame might have been done in a High School shop class.... I'm looking at cracked front suspension mount repair right now due to missed welds on factory gussets. Left side where A-frame and front center main crossmember meet the rails for other members who might be at this point as well. Check it out... mine appears to have poorly done rewelds on the RF as well.
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Old Oct 7, 2009 | 10:08 PM
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Yep. Sounds like Detroit "quality" in the mid-70's....
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by markids77
...when I wash the goo off with mineral spirits I see bare steel....
The mineral spirits could be removing the goo and the old chassis black at the same time.

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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 10:42 AM
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I believe that frames were covered in petroleum based goo and not 'paint' in the true sense of the word. A semi gloss paint would be closer in sheen than satin (almost flat) would.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 05:22 PM
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Hi Mike,
I believe the asphalt based coating wasn't used being used anymore by 1970, and used in it's place was an enamel based coating.
Hi Troy,
I think the amount of shine varied widely from frame to frame and even on various parts of the same frame. I would expect to see anything above 'flat', but below 'gloss'.
Regards,
Alan
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 10:12 PM
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Semi-gloss is a near match to the C3 frames when new. Satin will work; semi-flat or flat are just 'wrong' as far as I'm concerned. In general, semi-gloss black for suspension and engine compartment components; semi-flat black for engine compartment surfaces and interior trim items.
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 10:42 PM
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I don't remember there being any paint or coating on my '78s frame when it was new, pretty sure it was just bare steal. And yes the welds were bad, I had to weld the driver front stabilizer mount back on to the lower A-arm not long after I got the car. The factory weld just snapped off!
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Old Oct 8, 2009 | 11:43 PM
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Originally Posted by markids77
I am currently renovating a rustproofed southern 1977 and when I wash the goo off with mineral spirits I see bare steel. No paint at all. The welds on my frame might have been done in a High School shop class.... I'm looking at cracked front suspension mount repair right now due to missed welds on factory gussets. Left side where A-frame and front center main crossmember meet the rails for other members who might be at this point as well. Check it out... mine appears to have poorly done rewelds on the RF as well.
Glad you brought this weld issue up. I'm currently doing a frame off on my 69. Right after lifting the body, I was looking closely at the whole frame for any signs of possible damage that wasn't evident while under the car when I purchased it. I saw the weld (almost said beads) spattering and immediately thought it was a damaged area that had been repaired. After looking at both sides of the frame, I noticed the welds are equally terrible looking. Looks like something done after bars closed on a Friday night.
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Old Oct 9, 2009 | 09:37 AM
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Originally Posted by gdm78vette
...I don't remember there being any paint or coating on my '78s frame when it was new...
They were all painted semi-flat black and had A.O Smith Company stencils on them with the date the frame was completed, an A.O. Smith ID number, and the GM part number.

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