'69 Door Latch Screws (paint or no paint)

[IZRSSS]

I know this topic has been beat to death.  My dilemma...reliable sources say yes the door latch screws were painted from the factory and others say no.
The explanation that makes the most sense to me is the latch was not assembled until the doors were painted.  This information comes from a prominent car enthusiast and restorer of our community that worked at assembly plants.  Is this true or does this mean that all GM plants did it differently?

[77thor]

I am no expert, but I have only seen them painted.

[IZRSSS]

Any thoughts with respect to some plants yes and some no?

[x77-69z28]

i know that 67's were not painted. 69's were painted. not sure for 68. somewhere along the line the process changed

[IZRSSS]

Even though my source is very adamant about these bolts not being painted I have to assume that he did not work at a camaro production-line plant.  I will also say that I agree with what is being said here simply because there were 243K + units built in '69 and into '70.  GM probably looked at every possible phase of assembly that could expedite production.  My car has been repainted once and I plan to buff at least one screw to see if the original paint is underneath.  On thing I have found with buffing painted surfaces is that the original paint does not come off with light grit buffing.  This was the case with the door jamb stricker washers.  I'll let you know what I find.

[Sauron327]

Reply #15 http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=378.0

[IZRSSS]

Thanks Sauron...This thread cleared it up...I think.  My '69 is a LOS/ Van Nuys car and if I read the thread correctly the door hardware was assembled after the doors were painted.  As for the Norwood plant, the hardware was installed before it was painted.  Am I reading it correctly?

[redge]

My 69 original color is orange and one time painted blue , when i stripped the door the bolts were orange . it's a Norwood camaro

[IZRSSS]

Thanks Redge...a lot of useful info.  It looks like all Norwood cars had these screws painted.  Any other Los car owners out there that can hone in here?  Do you know if your '69 door latch screws were attached after your car was painted?

[IZRSSS]

77thor...If you don't mind me asking.  Is your car a Norwood or Los car?

[77thor]

"" 77thor...If you don't mind me asking.  Is your car a Norwood or Los car? ""

It is a LOS

[Dave69x33]

Based on the reliable Camaro restoration specialist that I know, one being Larry Christensen when I restored my car, the doors and trunk lid were mounted and aligned on the body prior to paint.  I believe this was the typical assembly process for all the GM Fisher Body Plants.  So the trunk lid hinge hardware, trunk catch and the two screws (not the latch and latch screws) as well as the door latches were in place when the body was painted final body color.  So the three latch screws should be painted.  I have many pictures of unrestored survivor Camaro details but unfortunately, not the door latches.

Perhaps JohnZ can share pictures of his car's door latches with us if his car still has its original paint job and no door jam paint work touch up.

Does anyone else have an original paint survivor that can post pictures of their door latches?

I would like to see what, if any, body color overspray you can see just inside of the latch.  I hope mine is correct.

Thanks.

[JohnZ]

<<Perhaps JohnZ can share pictures of his car's door latches with us if his car still has its original paint job and no door jam paint work touch up. >>

Photos below of the LH and RH door latches on my original-paint 02D Norwood '69 Z/28; latch screws are painted. The latches were installed in the Body Shop, prior to Paint.

[My68SS]

Interesting thread, something I had puzzled over with other car makes besides Camaro's.
John, what did the paint shop do to prevent paint from getting on the latch itself?

[IZRSSS]

Thank you 77thor!