GM A-body paint info 1

GENERAL MOTORS

All of the General Motors engine compartments are very similar. Each division may have made small
changes to suit their individual applications, and each have their own engine colors, but the major components color of parts, and plating that are used remain essentially the same. Like we mentioned earlier, research is the key. When you take your engine out for rebuilding or detailing, photograph the components before they are disassembled. Remove the parts and note whether they are plated, painted, or just natural, When the car is being reassembled the parts should be returned to their original condition. Through our research we've discovered that the following components should be restored as follows:
Frame or sub frame:
The frame and sub frame on all Sixties through Seventies GM muselecars were painted semi-gloss black. Some restorers like the frames a little more on the shiny side, while others like a flatter finish. There are a lot of different formulas for this and different paints you can use. Most restorers use acrylic enamel or acrylic urethane finishes with a flattening agent for frame components because of their durability, One formula that you can use is as follows:
3 qt. PPG Delstar rnixing black
i qt. flattening agent
PPG DTR601 quick-dry reducer
Inner fenders, firewall, radiator support:
As with the frame, there are many different formulas that can be used to achieve a semi gloss black paint to match the factory finish. Some restorers like to mix their own paint to get the shine they desire, but. many restorers also use a premixed PPG paint for their engine compartment. We have used PPG 9423 lacquer on our cars and it is about as close as you can get to the factory finish, We usually buy it in quart cans because that's enough to do a complete engine compartment. Many of the spray can manufacturers (e.g. Krylon, VHT) make a semi-gloss black that also looks good on, engine compartment components if you don't have professional spray painting equipment. If you have spray equipment here's another custom lacquer formula that you can use:
2 qt. PPG mixing black #386
1 qt. universal flattening agent
1 qt. mixing clear #3 10
PPG DTL16 thinner
Radiator:
All GM cars of this era had Harrison radiators that were painted gloss black. We paint them with PPG Deltron gloss black acrylic urethane.
Radiator cap:
Radiator caps were not painted, they were plated.
Radiator shroud:
Radiator shrouds should be left natural plastic. Some shrouds on early GM cars were steel and they should be painted semi-gloss to gloss black.
Fan blades:
Fans on GM cars differed from b rand to brand. Some divisions, like Chew, painted the fan and blades black, while other GM divisions used natural stainless fan blades with black center hubs. If the fan was a clutch-type, the clutch was natural aluminum with a gold cadmium center. The clutch shaft and spring are natural finish.
Exhaust manifolds:
This is another area where the GM divisions differed. According to restoration sources, Chew exhaust manifolds were over-sprayed when the engine was painted. According to Pontiac sources, Pontiac engines were painted first, then the exhaust manifolds was installed. Whatever the case may be, if you are going to drive the car, any over- spray that may be sprayed on the exhaust manifolds will bum off quickly.
Exhaust manifold locks:
The exhaust manifold locks were natural finish unless the exhaust manifolds were painted; then they were oversprayed.
Hood hinges, hood latch, hood catch, hood springs:
These components look like they are natural finish, but they were actually gray phosphate plated. This proces is available from several plating companies including Delco Moraine Power Brake Booster Restorations by Sieve Gregori. Upper and lower alternator brackets: Most pulleys and brackets used  on GM cars were painted semi-gloss black, but there are some exceptions to the rule. Research your particular car because on some GM brands, individual pulleys could have also been gray phosphates, zinc, or cad plated. Some of the GM divisions also used large aluminum brackets that were natural aluminum in color.
Alternator:
Natural aluminurn finish, no paint or plating.
Alternator fan:
Zinc plated (silver).
Alternator pulley:
Silver cad plated -or gold cad plated (depending upon the application). Most plating shops can handle either application.
Master cylinder:
Most of the GM cars came with natural finish master cylinders. For a lasting natural look, they can be painted with cast-iron gray paint, which is available from a variety of sources such as The Eastwood Company, VHT, and Krylon.
Master cylinder lid: The master cylinder lid should be cadmium dichromate (gold rainbow cad This type of plating is available from several sources, including Delco Moraine Power brake Restorations by Steve Gregori or from the ASL company. The master cylinder bail clips are natural metal.
Power brake booster:
All GM power brake boosters were cadmium dichromate. The two companies mentioned above can rebuild andre-plate your power-booster.
Brake distribution bracket:
Cadmium dichromate.
Power brake hose clips:
Black oxide.
Brake lines:
Natural steel, no paint or plating.
Brake line clips
We've seen these clips in natural finish, black oxide, and zinc chromate (green) finish.
Fuel lines:
Natural steel finish, no paint or plating,
Horns:
Gloss black finish.
Windshield wiper motor:
Gloss black finish.
Clutch cross shaft:
Gray phosphate plate.
Clutch linkage parts: Gloss black finish.
Clutch fork: Natural steel finishes that can be painted with cast-iron spray paint
Clutch return spring: Natural steel or gray phosphate.
Clutch return spring bracket: Natural steel finish.
Battery box hold down clamp: Semi-gloss black.
Water pump pulley, crankshaft pulley: Semi-gloss black, some crank pulleys were cast and left natural finish. Some water pump pulleys on early GM musclecars were zinc plated.
Engine dipstick handle: Natural steel finish. Steering box: The cast-iron portion of the box is natural finish. The access lid is natural aluminum; the bolts are black oxide.
Stabilizer barDepending upon the GM division, these can be natural or semi-gloss black.
Stabilizer bar brackets: Depending upon the GM division and supplier, the brackets can be semi-gloss black or natural.
Tie rods, steering components: natural steel finish. Thes c
omponents can be painted with clear or cast- iron colored paint
Control arm cross shafts
Semi-gloss black enamel.
Control arm bolts and large-end washers:
Natural steel.
Control arm adjustment shims:
Natural steel.
Voltage regulator cover:
Gloss-black enamel.
Horn relay:
Natural, no paint.
Accelerator rod, accelerator lever:
Black oxide.
Engine accessory braided ground strap:
Natural, no paint or plating.
Fender bolts, fender bolt washers: Black oxide.
Heater/heater shroud: Semi-gloss to gloss black lacquer. Generally, more shine than the engine compartment.
Front springs: Natural metal.
Shock absorbers: Gloss gray enamel.
Power steering pump: Gloss black enamhel.
Power steering brackets: Semi-gloss black enamel. Some brackets may actually look like a cross between semigloss and gloss black.
PCV- hose clips: Black oxide
Ignition wire dividers: Black plastic.