[RAFormulas]

Questions:
What is the correct gloss for the firewall? My guess 30%
What is the correct gloss for under the forumla hood?

Thanks

[Transamric]

The firewall should be much glossier than 30%. It would be nearly as glossy as the inner fenders & radiator support. 30% I would call Satin or Semi-flat, but you want more like 60-70% gloss.
I have an original paint '70 Formula hood. But how unweathered would the finish be after 30+ years? Hard to say. I've had it (off of a car) for about 10 years, but hard to say how well it's aged, finish wise. As it appears now, it would be flatter than the firewall/inner fenders/rad support. Perhaps closer to the 30% gloss you mentioned.

[RAFormulas]

Originally Posted by Transamric

The firewall should be much glossier than 30%. It would be nearly as glossy as the inner fenders & radiator support. 30% I would call Satin or Semi-flat, but you want more like 60-70% gloss.
I have an original paint '70 Formula hood. But how unweathered would the finish be after 30+ years? Hard to say. I've had it (off of a car) for about 10 years, but hard to say how well it's aged, finish wise. As it appears now, it would be flatter than the firewall/inner fenders/rad support. Perhaps closer to the 30% gloss you mentioned.

Thanks for the response Ric.

I have 7 Formula Hoods all together now. But I (like you) don't trust what I'm seeing because of age.

Does anyone know where this stuff might be documented? (assembly manual?)

[CaptCrunch]

If this helps.........this is the original paint on my 70..........definitely had some gloss to it.......I repainted it with what would be about 70% gloss...........

edit...........the under hood was almost flat black...........

[TA455HO]

Eastwood lists their Chassis Black Satin as 60-70% gloss. Anybody try it?

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-chassis-b...sol-14-oz.html

[RicksGTO]

I used the Eastwood's Extreme Chassis Black Satin on my subframe, here's a pic.
My understanding of 60% gloss is that it's close to full gloss, so I would say this is a bit less than 60%. It's still one step higher in gloss than their Underhood Black if you are familiar with it. Also you have to consider that it gets more glossy with each coat applied so it depends on how wet you put it on and how many coats you spray.

[70RAlll]

Here are the PPG lacquer codes for the "60%" semi-gloss and the ,what GM called zero gloss-closer to 40-50% gloss for 1970, I have '71 if needed:

1970 Semi Gloss- 60%'ish
Ditzler: 9266
Fisher:W30A848
Tintometer: 170B40

1970 "0" gloss/suede
Ditzler:9317
Fisher:WOA848
Tintometer: 168C41

The Ditzler is the PPG code. Any automotive paint store can cross these paint codes. I would find a PPG store if there is one near you.
The " 0" gloss can be made 2 ways. The suede formulation will have a texturizing agent( which these numbers will pull up when the paint store accesses them on their computers). This formula,with the texturizing agent, was for the metal dash and rear window inner lower molding-to cut down on sun glare. If you have the store mix the "0" gloss without the texturizing agent, you get a step lower gloss than the 60% gloss. A paint labeled "0" gloss you would assume it to be a "flat" finish, which it is far from that. I think they called it "0" gloss because of the texturizing agent's effect on glare.This "0" gloss formulation,minus the texturizing agent, is what I have always had made for the engine compartment firewall/tranny tunnel.Just ask the paint guy to leave out the texturizing agent, he will know what you are talking about once he has pulled up the formulas. Works out real nice and this way you are using the original formulations not just an aftermarket "one size fits all"- which sometimes they don't.
For what it is worth, to exhibit how subtle differences year by year or GM model by model can be, the 1971 Firebird black codes for the semi gloss and "0" gloss are different numbers and have slighly different formulations. I asked the PPG guy what the difference was and he said a minuscule difference in the flattening agent added to both for 1970 vs 1971-yes, the semi as well as teh "0" get's a does of flattening agent. Why GM made differences like this, who knows.. But they did and this is why I always have advised friends/others that it is best to stick with these original lacquer black formulas,while they are still available..
I hope this long winded response helps.. Sorry for the "novel"....

[RAFormulas]

Originally Posted by 70RAlll

Here are the PPG lacquer codes for the "60%" semi-gloss and the ,what GM called zero gloss-closer to 40-50% gloss for 1970, I have '71 if needed:

1970 Semi Gloss- 60%'ish
Ditzler: 9266
Fisher:W30A848
Tintometer: 170B40

1970 "0" gloss/suede
Ditzler:9317
Fisher:WOA848
Tintometer: 168C41

Bill, let me get this straight... use the "0" gloss for the firewall, and the 60%ish for under the hood? Or use the "0" gloss in both places?

Thanks,

[70RAlll]

Steve-
The semi gloss goes on under hood, inner fenders etc,... I have always noticed the firewall seemed to be a slight shade flatter than the other underhood black colors. SO I had my PPG guy make a batch of the "0" gloss ,leaving the texturizing agent out( he will understand this request) and the result is just enough difference is sheen that it looks correct.. This is just what I have done and have had good success with it.. And these numbers are the original/cross obver numbers from GM..I just alter the "0" slightly for the firewall. SO to answer your question, semi on underhood items(except air cleaner,heater cover and radiator which are full gloss) then the "0" gloss on the firewall mixed without the texturizing agent.. Hope this helps...

['ol Pinion head]

Realize this is in an old thread. Prefer to use the SEARCH function in order to continue threads, that's how the Forums used to be used...

Flash forward to 2021. Am dealing with trying to get paint to spray the top of the metal dash & the rear window apron areas. This is for 4 separate Pontiacs. The finish, ESP the finish up on the metal dash top needs to have the correct appearance not just a dull flat dry appearance.
What are professionals doing today? Can this be accomplished with a single stage enamel in order to get this appearance? Occasionally I've ran across a small amt of Black laquer that was prev mixed w the suede additive. Could say I'm somewhat leery of many years old premixed paint, ESP in pint quantities, and after who knows what kind of storage conditions.

Thanks?

[Aus78Formula]

GM or Pontiac or PPG had a separate paint code listing for the metal dash section than other interior paint areas due to the extra low sheen required. I can't recall if it had mixing specifics saying the sheen level or just the different numbers. Was in perhaps the 76-81 Parts Manual? So probably not that useful anyway.

OK just found one of them, simply lists the variations of each interior colour code as Semi-Gloss or Flat, with part number. Yep, not that much use.

[keith k]

Is it no longer possible to get the "suede" paint for the forward portion of the dash? (I haven't tried to in 20+ years, so it wouldn't surprise me...)