VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Painting misc. 1931 front end parts.

Reassembling my '31 Coach. I was going to paint following parts semi-gloss black: frame and cross members, springs and shackles, axle, axle u-bolts, shocks and shock arms/links/pins, pitman arm (will leave spline natural), drag link and tie rods, steering arms, steering box, as well as various nuts and bolts. Were any of these parts left bare metal, such as filler screw in shock, nuts/bolts/washers? Were springs originally painted or natural. I see manual suggests oiling them regularly along sides. Were brake cables/rod components painted?

Hello Gunsmoke,
I don't know the painting details concerning the front end parts, but I seem to remember that Gloss paint was original. Semi-gloss paint wasn't around back then from what I've read on other posts. I'll try to do some research about the paint and what is painted and let you know.

I seem to remember someone stating that the springs weren't painted. Does anyone know for sure?

Gloss black on frame and mechanical parts. Personally, I use a high gloss enamel.

The frames were originally dipped in Black Japan Enamel and they had a glossy shine. Not a high gloss like you would get when you rub out the paint, but just a natural gloss.

Even though "semi-gloss" paint was not make in 1931, the paint finish produced by dipping the parts is essentially the same as produced today by semi-gloss. Now you can wordsmith all you want and quote the fact that semi-gloss was not available but that does not change the fact that the use of modern semi-gloss produces the most accurate finish! The other paint that can be used is "machinery" enamel like used on starters, generators, radiators. It is glossy but not like a modern "high" gloss.

Yes the vast majority of chassis parts were dipped not sprayed! It is still a process used today to protect parts from deterioration. Just look at metal bed frames, hideabed frames produced by Leggitt & Platt. Last time I was in their Ft. Smith, AR plant those parts were dipped. It is much less expensive than spraying.

The term "semi-gloss" means different things to different folks. The chassis paint back then was Black Japan Enamel and it had a natural gloss shine (slightly dull if you will) that you get with enamel when it hasn't been cut and buffed. When compared to modern "semi-gloss" paint the old Black Japan Enamel had more of a shine. The "semi-gloss" paint used today appears to have a shine that is half way between flat and a natural gloss.

Thanks for the comments folks. I'm going to try the 'semi-gloss" as it is likely closer to the look of the earlier product, and will not highlight pitting spots and other small flaws etc like gloss would. It will also provide a bit of variation from the glossy fenders.
Now about the springs, my plan is to oil them well and leave natural? They are surface rusty at the moment but not much pitting, so a good wire brushing and sanding should get most of that off(don't have access to sandblasting gear.). Were nuts and bolts painted(such as those to mount shocks, fender braces etc)?

The springs were painted.

Depending upon their application on the chassis, nuts and bolts were either painted or they were plain.

Thanks Dawg. I do not plan to remove the springs from the car although I will take the weight off them by supporting the frame. When I have them cleaned up will decide on paint approach. As for nuts/bolts, I will plan to paint those that are easily seen (e.g. bolt heads for fender braces), leave rest natural.

Chassis sub assemblies were painted assembled, therefore all of the bolts and nuts were painted as well. When parts were installed on the chassis as individual pieces the bolts and nuts were usually left natural.

Gunsmoke
When I painted the underside of my car I used tremclad semi-gloss. It has stood up well for the last 1.5 yrs.
Food for thought.
Cliff