VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions Black out bumpers and chrome

I received my G & D yesterday and there is an article in it about a 1942 Aerosedan. It states that starting with January 1st, 1942, bumpers and chrome were painted on all new cars. I have known about these blacked out models for years but never gave much thought as to how the process was done. I can't imagine painting over bumpers and chrome parts as paint will not stick to chrome. Were these parts roughed up or were unchromed parts used? Thanks for satisfying my curiosity. . Beamer

Since the object of painting instead of chrome plating was to save the valuable materials for the war effort not festoon automobiles I seriously doubt chrome was painted..

I kind of remember a G&D article (last 18 months or so) about the blackout period. I looked thru the indexes of the online versions and nothing jumped out at me. If you keep your magazines and are curious...you should be able to find it.

Good article from google
http://antiquechevyclubofqueens.org/2018/02/those-unglamorous-but-rare-blackouts/
Trying not to get sidetracked from work.

Bumper and guard were the only main parts that WERE chrome.

My dad has a 1942 Farm Truck that is blackout. The headlight bezels and some other parts are painted over chrome.

I have no idea how they made it stick!

Trucks had painted bumpers. It was common to find chrome or stainless steel parts onder the paint.

Roger James restored a '42 several years ago. He is one of the most detail dedicated restorers that I know. I don't know that he frequents Chatter but is a VCCA member and Area 4 Board Member. I am sure he would be willing to consult with owners and restorers to assist in their projects.

I had some NOS Fleetline fender mouldings that were painted over stainless. "Symbolism over substance" was alive and well even back then.
My Dad's 1942 COE was delivered to it's original owner around Thanksgiving, 1941. It, of course, has it's full compliment of stainless and chrome. The interior is painted with a spatter-like paint that I have not seen anywhere else. Not the hammertone we usually see.

Mike

Gentlemen, I serious doubt that the car manufacturer went through the process of chroming any parts. That would use zinc and other materials needed to build aircraft and other war related items. Since I was not born yet I don't have any first hand knowledge but it wouldn't make since to do anything to bare metal that they could just paint.

I finally found someone else with the splatter paint! Here is a couple of pictures of my dad's black out One and a half Ton farm truck. He is the 2nd owner.

We have never found another truck with the same interior paint.

You can actually see the dash bezel on this truck was nickled and then painted over. The paint is wearing off.

John,
Think about it. The government set a deadline for the last date that chrome/stainless could be used. The auto makers had existing stock of these items for anticipated use. To use what the had, they painted over the chrome or stainless and built cars.

Mike

Good point Mike. Says a lot about business and government intervention. Or the appearance created when a transition happens.

I stand corrected Mike. Like I said I wasn't around then, for that matter I wasn't even thought about.

Nor was I, John.

Mike

John and Mike,

?... wasn't even thought about."

Now that right there was as good a prompt for a LOL comment as I've ever heard.

Best,

Charlie

BTW: Ok. Let's not get off the thread. You know.