'51 Pontiac: Question on Paint on Silver Streak Chrome

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<HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->I have flat black paint between the ribs on my front and rear silver streaks on my '51 standard 4 door.

I see pictures where the body color is painted in this same areas on most other Pontiacs.

Is this a difference between the "standard" and "deluxe" trim models?
I have an original brochure but it is not clear from the pictures whether or not any models had the flat black paint.

Ken
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I vote for NO paint, just polished stainless............the ribs still stand out and look sharp!

 

Not sure about the 51 Ken but on my 55 Safari the grooves were originally painted a semi-gloss black which over the years has a tendency to flatten.I don't recall ever having seen the streaks painted with body color.
If you want to refinish them,I would use a semi-gloss black paint such as Rust-O-Leum or similar product.You can buy small quantities of it(1/4 pint maybe?)and go to a body shop supply store and buy a Mack touch up striping brush.This brush has a small handle and long bristles and is used to touch up scratches in paint and also to add pinstripe lines.
Also get a bottle of No Touch Glass Stripper(available at most auto parts stores).It is used to remove Rain-X from windshields but makes an excellent pre-cleaner for chrome and stainless.
After cleaning dip the brush in paint and laying the brush in the groove,paint about a foot long and stop.If you have any excess on the edge of the groove,carefully wipe it with a paper towel.Repeat process until all areas are painted.You may have to thin the paint slightly with a bit of mineral spirits to get an even flow.

 

The strip on my 50 was painted body color, and I bought a strip from a 49 that had no color at all.

 

My 52 pontiac hardtop deluxe came polished with no paint between the ribs.

 

It sounds like there may have been a few variations depending on models, trim level by year etc.

Since I have the black there now, I most likely will touch up the black as it looks fairly good. The car is nicely painted, but it is not an exact match for the orginal color. I enjoy the car as is and I don't see the need to repaint and make it a 400 point car. I really wanted a driver and I drive it whenever I can.

Thanks for the advice.

Ken

 

Most did (if not all)

 

Any of the original '49 - '54 Pontiacs I came across had body colour between the 'ribs'. G.M. experimented with a heat resistant primer on the fenders and hoods of their cars which was a semi-gloss black with (as it turned out) very poor adhesion qualities. I suspect the cars you see with black between the ribs is the result of the body colour coming off to reveal the primer? I'm sure you have seen these cars with the paint peeling off the front to reveal black beneath.

Personally, I like the subtlety of the chrome lines on a body coloured background.

-Dave