Hello All, I am detailing the back end of my 68 and need to know the correct color to use for the underside of the spare tire wheel well. It appears to be a metallic silver of sorts. Any input would be helpful. Also the underside of gas tank. Satin black? Thanks, Michael
If I remember correctly Michael, the exterior of the spare wheel well was painted body color and had an undercoating spray on the bottom surface. Most gas tanks were a natural steel finish till they turned a dirty rusty brown. I used a 'shutz' gun with a black rubberized undercoating to spray the entire body underside - not exactly concours but it does protect the metal surfaces, and reduces some road noise. The material is also available in handy rattle cans - just be careful with any overspray !! :TU: . . . looks like this:
Randy, is that the underside of your car? If so Y did you terminate the exhaust pipes instead of running em out the back?
That was before I had a complete exhaust system (...with tail pipes), for the car - I was contemplating side dumps ala NASCAR ? I just wanted to drive it Steve, and that was the easiest fix at the time ! o No:
Interesting how you set up the lift pads. Ive always placed the rear pads of the lift on the pinch weld. Makes it far more stable. I really need to look at my green Riviera. Its basically untouched underneath.
I had considered side dump in front of the rear wheel due to it being so tight over the axle and the pipes in the rear wheel wells. It just doesnt go well with this type of car.
The spare tire well underside and gas tank got a crude sloppy application of asphalt type paint used to black out the lower extremities of chassis. Typically lower parts of the axle, shocks, control arms and whatever else was in the way got this also. I have seen quite a variation in coverage between cars. Hard to tell from your description if yours has been painted something else at some point. If it has nothing but a dull grayish flecked look, it may have escaped getting the blackout paint at the factory and you are seeing the original factory primer type coating. Regardless, generally satin black is widely accepted and close to original look. Since the blackout paint sometimes had a thicker rough look in places, undercoating is acceptable also. If yours is currently smooth and you want a uniform finish, I'd do the satin black......but if the car is all original, don't touch it and leave as-is. Some choose to paint the tank to simulate the original galvanized look and leave it that way without blacking out the lower portion of it. It looks cleaner and most people will think its correct because that's how many other cars in same era were so you can get away with it. The gas tank straps were definitely dip painted satin black. I have come to the conclusion that trying to recreate exact factory finishes on the underside of second gen Rivs is an exercise in futility and you need to be willing to end up with a sloppy appearance.
