1969 radiator finish

[red69]

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.

[R68GTO]

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

[red69]

Thanks guess I need to repaint it.

[william]

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

[firstgenaddict]

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.


here is a shot showing the contrast in the semigloss heatermotor and gloss firewall cover.

[69Z28-RS]

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

[Krateness]

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.

[firstgenaddict]

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













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.

[ric1969]

 Wow , James i like your work very clever Ric.

[firstgenaddict]

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!