VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Correct Painting of Doors

Have three questions:
1. Is this car's door edge painted correctly...from everything I have been able to determine, the entire door edge should be body color (in this case dark blue), instead of the two-tone scheme shown here?

2. What color is the door lock mechanism and screws.

3. Is this dark blue color "Serge Blue"...if so, does anyone have a modern paint code for it? The color mixed-up for my car that is listed as matching a "72 Brockway Truck" on Rex Barker's site seems alot darker than this.

Thanks in advnce, all the best, Don

Don, that is one nice ride!

Hi Eldred,
This particular car is not mine but it is for sale on eBay - Find it here.

The color is not Serge Blue, which is much darker. Actually looks Black in dim light but a rich dark blue in the light.

We could debate the door edge and door jam paint scheme for a long time. It is obvious that the body was painted the "lower" body color first and then the "upper" body color added later. The reveal around the windows is your best clue to the order of paint application. It is also obvious that once the lower body color was applied then the body was masked and then the upper color applied. The question is did they continue the tape around the edge of the door and door openings? If the tape is continued then there will be a sharp line, which will be visually pleasing. If not then there will be some overspray of the upper color on the jams and door edges. That is unless the entire edge of the door and jams are also masked. Since it is easier and cheaper to extend the masking to the jams and door edges I would lean toward that scheme as being most logical. But, logic did not always guide what was done. And each body plant could have done it "their way".

So my opinion is that both should be considered correct until documentation or the preponderance of evidence on "original" vehicles proves otherwise.

Let the discussion continue.

I just painted my 31 coupe what appears to be the same color and it is " boatswain blue ". My car had original paint and the door jams were body color. The black top was painted last and there was over spray on the door jams as it must have been applied with the doors closed, I repainted mine the same way. I do have the formula for base coat - clearcoat and the formula for enamal is on Bill Barkers 31 web sight.

P. S. The door locks were body color on my car.

Thanks guys...I think I am all set now!