What color were model A and 32 frames originally

I was wondering Gloss black or semi gloss black ,I know its ch***is black ,After this upcoming week I should be tearing down for ch***is painting ,

 

Gloss black basically. The Model A guys will debate exactly what level of gloss. Remember, the Deuce ch***is was an exposed part between the runningboard and body.

These debates also get into what kind of paints were used at the factory back then vs what paints are available now. Are you looking for a resto look?

 

Any model A guys care to chime in ,My model A is a 29 on 32 rails and Im torn between semi gloss and gloss black ,I already know the color Centari pitch black 99 A ,My old 72 Chevelle color.But should I paint the frame to blend or offset It by the semi .

 

I think '32 rails should be gloss and model a can be semi. I am not sure what they were from the factory but would they have been dipped like the fenders? One thing is for sure, a '32 frame more often then not should be black regardless of the body color....especially if it's a pre 55 build.

 

Helped take apart a nice original Model A Coupe one time.I remember unexposed parts of the frame were shinny black.I would say Gloss Black.
Car was a 29 Coupe.

 

Thanks that's what Im thinking ,

 

I'm doing a 27 T on top of 32 rails and i'll be painting the frame gloss black after it's finished

 

All the Model A stuff I've seen has been a reddish color, flaky, with pits, sometimes a little bit of light shines through.

 

I just checked my TONY THACKER book "The '32 DEUCE, it shows the '32 frame in most pix to be glossy black.----Take it from there.----------Don

 

The dudes over at the Ford Barn will give you a definitive answer. Most of 'em were alive when the Model As were new. Just kiddin'. But they will know. Good luck.

Aloha

 

Go out and look under a 2010 Ford Pick-up that should give you the answer. Things in manufacturing really haven't changed much in 80 years.
Same goes for underhood, door jams and openings.

"A" were ch***is black about 80% gloss, door jams were unpolished Lacquer, polished body, unpolished firewall, dipped enamel fenders.

Just a little trivia.

The Old Tinbasher

 

Best answer ever!!!

 

There is a thread on this very topic over on the Model A section of the Ford Barn. The "Fine Point" restoration types will drive you nuts. Frames were semi gloss spray painted, BUT running board brackets were dipped in gloss black then hot riveted in place. There is a debate weither the rivets should be left to rust or were touched up with a thirs shade or black. These same people wonder why Hot Rodding is so popular.

 

My '32 frame will be painted gloss black, but since I'll drive it and never wash it, it'll dull up right quick!

 

From a resto point of view, I believe Ford actually polished the (black) paint on '32's where it shows over the runningboard. Would have to do some research to verify that.
Ford left even body paint unpolished in places like Model A firewall where it wasn't part of car's outer appearance, and I believe also that truck bodies in his period were left as sprayed unless special ordered!

 

Black Laquer. Main frame rails were sprayed, most other stuff, brake rods, cross bars, spring shackles, etc. were dipped. As Bruce Lancaster points out, unless part of outer appearance, it was not polished(Rubbed) .

 

That's the way they were shipped to New England too......!

 

All the ones I worked on over the years came to me RUST colored! LOL.

 

Nothing was ever used to reduce the gloss of the paint used in this era. The level of gloss was directly related to the application method and level of polish. Level of polish on some surfaces may have differed considerably from one dealer to another, so.......

 

Most of the ones I have seen were what you might call a rust color.

(Don't you just love a smart a$$?)