Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions for First Generation Firebirds that have been asked and answered on FGF. Special thanks needs to be given to all the FGF members who took the time to respond to other member's questions.
Interior - Paint
Q: Trunk Paint
I’m about to start grinding out my trunk for restoration. I have two conflicting records on the trunk area. One calls for a rubberized black coating. The other refers to the GM’s spackle paint. Can someone tell what the original appearance of the trunk area was?
A: My 1969 has spatter paint. Be sure to clear coat it when your done.
A: Just a quick note. Be careful when you spray around and over the wheel wells. I went wild when I did my trunk and gummed up the rear window mechanisms.
A: I hope you remembered to order the clear coat that goes over the spatter paint. The spatter paint is a water based type stuff, and needs the clear coat to make it work. Also, the surface needs to be a little rough for the spatter paint to stick. If the surface is too smooth, the spatter paint will sag, leaving the smooth surface to show. Get everything super clean.
Take your time. Between coats needs time to cure, especially the clear. They told me 3 cans would do it. I would have 4 on hand. 1 can of clear is enough. Mask off good before you clear coat. That stuff goes everywhere, and will make you goofy. I think the marker light assembly should have a little overspray??
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Content last modified: January 25, 2014 at 11:28 pm
Q: Firewall Gloss Level
What is the correct gloss level for the Firewall.
A: I sent an E-Mail to Jim Mattison regarding gloss level on the firewall since the High Performance Pontiac articles were unclear. Here is the response he sent me…..
Thanks for the kind words on my 1967 Ram Air Firebird. The car looks much better in person than it does in the magazine.
To answer your question concerning engine compartment detailing, the gloss level on the firewall area is a 85% black.
I hope that this information is helpful!
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Content last modified: January 19, 2014 at 3:17 pm
Q: Correct Interior Colors for 1968
Does anyone know the original color of the rear speaker grilles in the 1968 coupe and other interior parts? I need to repaint and want to get it correct.
A: Flat colors : Upper instrument panel,rear window defroster grille,radio speaker grille.
DuPont # for Flat Black is 4428L
Semi-gloss: Lower instrument panel,rear seat folding back panel assembly, air outlet bushing.
Black 88L
Dark Red 9201LM
Dark Blu Met 94520H
Dark Teal met 9453LH
Dark Turq.met 9454LH
Dark Gold met 9456L
Dark Saddle met 9458L
Note: Rear package tray is FLAT not semi Gloss. Black would be black, Parchment (white) would be black, Red would be Red
A: The 1968 Pontiac Dealer Service Information Bulletin varied slightly for the color codes mentioned above. I would want to use them first:
[pdfjs-viewer url=/dtb/docs/68-I-12.pdf viewer_height=800px fullscreen=true download=false print=true]
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Content last modified: January 19, 2014 at 3:22 pm
Q: Plastic Part Paint Stripping and Painting
Once the dash is a beautiful new rich deep color of black, what’s the best method of adding the chrome trim back on? Or even retouching the chrome? I’ve tried model chrome paint but that looked very ugly (could have been the shaky hands!)
Does anyone have any advice for stripping paint off of plastic parts? I attempted to repaint my dash and let’s just say the first attempt didn’t go so well. Can I use off the shelf paint stripper?
A: paint stripper is too harsh for plastic. It will soften the plastic and even melt the edges. A mixture of Xylene and lacquer thinner will remove just about any paint, but it too can damage plastic if not applied and removed quickly. Chemical strippers are tricky on metal and far worse on plastics.
As for the chrome trim around the bezels, I’ve used a silver paint marker made by Testors(as in model paint). This looks almost like a magic marker but uses paint instead. Be sure to wet the felt of the paint marker real good by pressing down on a hard surface. If you don’t have plenty of paint and stop you will see the seam. I m current working on another project of using chrome vinyl to refinish the chrome trim on the bezels. This will look just as the factory did but can be applied after the dash panel is painted.
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Content last modified: January 19, 2014 at 3:24 pm
Content last modified: September 15, 2023 at 11:15 am