CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Originality => Topic started by: red69 on March 19, 2021, 03:11:17 PM

Title: 1969 radiator finish
Post by: red69 on March 19, 2021, 03:11:17 PM

Had my radiator redone by a reputable restorer and it came back finished in a sheen I would say leans more towards semi-flat than semi-gloss. Most I've seen are glossier than mine now is. What finish is accepted as correct? 1969 Z-28. Sorry if this has been addressed many times before tried a search and wasn't successful in getting an answer.

Title: Re: 1969 radiator finish
Post by: R68GTO on March 19, 2021, 08:17:42 PM

My understanding is that radiators were painted gloss black.  Qualifying statement that gloss black in 1969 is flatter than todays gloss black.

Title: Re: 1969 radiator finish
Post by: red69 on March 20, 2021, 03:15:36 PM

Thanks guess I need to repaint it.

Title: Re: 1969 radiator finish
Post by: william on March 20, 2021, 05:02:18 PM

FWIW this is an engine bay photo of an automatic COPO within a few weeks of delivery.

Title: Re: 1969 radiator finish
Post by: firstgenaddict on March 20, 2021, 05:56:26 PM

I have found that the heaterbox, rear defroster housings, and radiators appear to be the same sheen and were probably all manufactured by HARRISON.
I matched the paint off a NOS firewall heaterbox and the color was not a pure black when it was scanned.
(https://nastyz28.com/attachments/103_0027-jpg.60588/)

here is a shot showing the contrast in the semigloss heatermotor and gloss firewall cover.
(https://nastyz28.com/attachments/102_0413-jpg.62989/)

Title: Re: 1969 radiator finish
Post by: 69Z28-RS on March 20, 2021, 06:42:22 PM

James:  Check your PM inbox...  you may have exceeded the limit?

Title: Re: 1969 radiator finish
Post by: Krateness on March 31, 2021, 10:06:22 AM

Just out of curiosity who did you have restore it? I’ve been considering having mine recored but didn’t know who to trust with it.

Title: Re: 1969 radiator finish
Post by: firstgenaddict on April 02, 2021, 06:35:28 AM

I had it boiled out and pressure checked then
I spent 5 hours and straightened all the fins using a cut up credit card and a pair of tweezers.
Then wire brushed the tanks and rails & painted it with 2k catalyzed

(https://nastyz28.com/attachments/102_9923-jpg.59028/)

(https://nastyz28.com/attachments/102_9924-jpg.59029/)

(https://nastyz28.com/attachments/102_9927-jpg.59030/)

(https://nastyz28.com/attachments/102_9931-jpg.59032/)

(https://nastyz28.com/attachments/102_9940-jpg.59033/)

(https://nastyz28.com/attachments/102_9937-jpg.59034/)

WE have a local rad shop which will remove the top and bottom rails and replace the core using the original rails - about $600-800 if you take them the rad.

Title: Re: 1969 radiator finish
Post by: ric1969 on April 02, 2021, 12:35:41 PM

 Wow , James i like your work very clever Ric.

Title: Re: 1969 radiator finish
Post by: firstgenaddict on April 02, 2021, 01:37:51 PM

I watched my great uncle straighten radiator fins for a 39 FORD roadster when I was a kid and thought he was crazy... little did I know that some day I would be the crazy one!