Jigs used to paint fiberglass exterior parts

[Bossbill]

Are there any details on the jigs originally used by SA to paint fiberglass exterior parts?

I'm trying to get the right 'shading' on parts and would like to know in what the position (laying down, hung by hinge holes, etc) the various exterior parts were painted by SA (if by SA at all!)

After removing all the undercoating on the nose and a hurried previous respray I have no details on any of my pieces.

[Coralsnake]

Your best resource is the original photos....

http://www.thecoralsnake.com/1969Plantpics

[Coralsnake]

[Bossbill]

I have seen those, but that's an AO Smith plant.

Is the assumption that the 67s in LA were done the same way?

[Coralsnake]

Sorry, I misunderstood your request....1967 Shelbys are a whole different animal. They of course, didn't have the volume of items to paint.

[shelbydoug]

I was told, I never saw pictures, that the fiberglass was put on saw horses and painted that way.

The underside of the hood was not painted as well as inside of the nose. I don't remember if the underside of the rear deck was but I think not.

The shaddow lines are in the overspray and probably depends on which angle the painter shot from.

I'm presuming that they were painted inside of the paint shop but considering that the vast majority of LA "body shops" painted outside in that time period, I wouldn't be shocked if the Shelby's weren't too.

[Bob Gaines]

Are there any details on the jigs originally used by SA to paint fiberglass exterior parts?

I'm trying to get the right 'shading' on parts and would like to know in what the position (laying down, hung by hinge holes, etc) the various exterior parts were painted by SA (if by SA at all!)

After removing all the undercoating on the nose and a hurried previous respray I have no details on any of my pieces.

Form my point of view yes it seems that the parts were painted at SA as needed.Although there are not any definitive pictures evidence from original paint cars seems to indicate hoods where painted flat. I envision something like a saw horse or TV tray that painters still use. I am not completely sure on the The trunk lid probably something similar because of the overspray pattern similar to the hood.. The front nose seems to typically have a consistent amount of overspray around the inside perimeter.  The side scoops and end caps also appear to be painted flat. Regardless the scoops and end caps once mounted will not have any overspray visible.

[Coralsnake]

The one picture I recall, is the cars on the line, fiberglass onthe nose unpainted?

[Bossbill]

Good points, Bob!
I suspect the nose was off this car at one time, so I'm not sure this pic is indicative of normal process:


There is no primer behind the paint on the mating surface. During the cleanup of tar-based undercoat on the back side I did find the clear silicone on some of the mating surfaces.

I, too, remember a pic of a few cars with noses installed without paint. Don't remember the context.

[Bob Gaines]

Good points, Bob!
I suspect the nose was off this car at one time, so I'm not sure this pic is indicative of normal process:


There is no primer behind the paint on the mating surface. During the cleanup of tar-based undercoat on the back side I did find the clear silicone on some of the mating surfaces.

I, too, remember a pic of a few of cars with noses installed without paint. Don't remember the context.

There is not evidence to suggest the nose piece was painted on the car . I can only imagine that the nose might have been on the cars in the picture to test for pre fit. I suspect the nose was stood on the flat fender flange and painted that way faced towards the ceiling. Just my take on the situation.

[J_Speegle]

..........Is the assumption that the 67s in LA were done the same way?

Not at all. Different people, companies and other details

For 67 production since there were changes (steel lined verses non-steel lined) during the year related to painted or unpainted back sides the process likely changed as need be for the application for those two items.

Not aware of any photo documentation from 67 like we have for the other years unfortunately  

[Coralsnake]

Looks like at least a few, noses were fitted to cars and then painted

[shelbydoug]

On that picture of the 69 being painted, that is on a special jig that got lowered down to a lower floor where it is united to the rest of the car but, that's not the question.

The black that I see under the hood on the 69's is black gel coat or is it flat black paint and is it expected to show over spray? Sorry but I never noticed that before.

[Coralsnake]

The bottom of the 69 hoods were sprayed black

I think the painting rack is different from the crane/jig that carries the assembly to the car for installation

[TOBKOB]

The bottom of the '69 hoods were painted semi gloss black after receiving body color. Apparently they used a hand held mask of sorts which left an uneven paint line.

The dolly which carried the assembly does appear to be different from the one on which they are painted.