31 Lasalle - chassis finish??

[George Chrin]

I am ready to final paint the chassis on my 31 Lasalle convertible coupe.  This includes the frame, springs, rear-end, axles and all the front end components.  What would be the correct finish, a gloss or satin?  Is either one more correct if originality or judging is concerned?  Also, should any of the components be of a different color than black.

Thank you for all the help.....George

[Dirk Van Dorst (Belgium )]

Look in your CLC directory under "technicians"
You will find a 31 La Salle specialist , whit email adres and phn #.
This man is a real source....
One of our members just bought a 31 La Salle CCP  , look @ the CLC photo file under La Salle....car is on a trailer, underway to a new home in Belgium.
Succes, Dirk Van Dorst
Belgium

[Bill Sullivan]

George:

I am no expert in this area, but most cars of this era had the frame and components painted "chassis black", a semi-gloss fairly low quality black paint slopped on by the component vendor.  Most automotive paint vendors carry some form of "chassis black."

That being said, most show cars I see these days use powder coating or fairly high gloss single stage enamel or polyurethane black on the undercarriage.  It is far more durable and easier to clean than real "chassis black".  Except for the most anal clubs, like the National Corvette Restoration Society or 57 Chevy collectors, it is almost unheard of to deduct points for a too highly finished undercarriage.  

Your 31 LaSalle is old and rare enough that there are probably few who really know the details about the type of finish on the undercarriage -- except for color, perhaps. So I suggest you paint it with what you are comfortable with.  I generally use high gloss enamel myself.

Bill
Albuquerque, NM.

[Porter 21919]

I use zero rust black enamel, it dries with a satin finish, $ 35 a gallon, it is an alkyd enamel, very high solids, I thin it with lacquer thinner and spray it.

http://www.mfgsealants.com/zerorust.htm TARGET=_blank>http://www.mfgsealants.com/zerorust.htm

Once you try it you will be hooked, trust me.

Jeff Maltby went through the POR 15 dissapointment on his 49 fastback chassis, delamination. I turned him on to zero rust and he is a happy camper.

You can apply it on top of clean rusted steel, touchs up easy as required.

It comes in rattle cans too, no, I dont get a commission for referals.

Porter