Correct paint color for a 1970 Dart 8 3/4 axle assembly

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70dart340

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Let the slings and stones be tossed. I have a very original 1970 Swinger 340. I recently scored a complete A body 8 3/4 complete rear axle assembly with the 741 diff. It's dirty, but not rusty. My question to the gurus here is, what color was the rear axle assembly and diff ? Mine appears to be satin black, but after blasting and component restoration, I'd like to know how the factory painted them. Same question for my grill assembly. Thanks to all in advance. Paul.
 
I like GM semi gloss black. It's cheap. It's plentiful. It's available everywhere and nobody will ever know the difference.
 
I have used appliance paint, will not chip. Pretty sure it is a epoxy. Looks like powder coating. Hard as nails
 
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He very plainly asked HOW THE FACTORY did these. Not how YOU would. With that being said, I wish I had the answer. Also looking forward to a proper reply.
 
My undersatnding is that it is like everyone has said already. A satin-ish type finish. I, too, would like to know what the factory procedure and finish was.
 
Bare metal for the housing. Red oxide for the diff. I have several original housing here with OEM markings everyone is solid rust no sign of paint at all.

I also have differentials carriers with markings they are a red oxide. Your carrier should be 489 for 1970 not 741.

Not much of anything under these cars have paint on them . Lower control arms were dipped partially in a cosmoline coating. Even K-members seamed to be bare metal. Could be why most everything under these cars rusted.
 
They used very cheap gloss black paint. It didn't have the same "gloss" as we associate with gloss today. Using a semi-gloss paint will get you close to the factory color. Same goes for K-members. If you look up pictures of Dave Walden's 4-door Valiant, you'll get all the info you need. It is the highest scoring OE car to date.
1970 Plymouth Valiant
 
I paint parts different colors so you can see it was apart when painted instead of just a quick rattle can job. Some parts I grab what ever color is available left over that my son bought. Just be sure to throw the empty cans away to hide the evidence.

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My undersatnding is that it is like everyone has said already. A satin-ish type finish. I, too, would like to know what the factory procedure and finish was.
So you come on here, chastise all of us for trying to help and then give your opinion, when you too, don't know. Nice.
 
Check section 23 of your factory service manual.

A lot of paint info there.

Also check with the B and E body guys for the same year. Most likely same painting combos used.
 
I use VHT GM satin black. It works well most of the time but sometimes a little to glossy.
 
^^^ hahaha, he probably rhinolines it just like the bottom of every "OE correct" car...
 
I've found that readily available Krylon "Tough Rust" semi-flat is almost dead on for the Mopar satin suspension and chassis color.

I've painted over a factory frame rail on a truck that was partially exposed to weather, and you couldn't tell the new paint from the existing.
 
I paint parts different colors so you can see it was apart when painted instead of just a quick rattle can job. Some parts I grab what ever color is available left over that my son bought. Just be sure to throw the empty cans away to hide the evidence.

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Steve who you trying to fool? You know you can't do anything without that kid knowing! He's too sharp!!! Lol
 
My dad bought a new 69 Coronet R/T track pack new in 69 for my sister. I ended up with the car when she got a new 71 Duster . The Dana rear in 2 years in the R/T was solid rust as was the 4 speed and the drive shaft. If it was painted it only lasted a year.
I paint everything on cars I redo. My Demon everything will be powder coated. Who cares what they were. They are only original once. If you recoat them its only to hide and prevent the rust and then its not original anyway.
 
^^ agree, I was trying to look that up in the 65 FSM. Even gives "suede texture" paint numbers for dash and such. IIRC most undercarriage was semi gloss black.
 
I was showing somebody old pics of my Dart and they wanted to know why my rear end housing was white... I'd forgotten all about it - late 1970s/early 80s we all put in airshocks, pumped them up and painted the now exposed rear end housing white. Why? Hell if I remember, we just all did it! Maybe we were showing off the 8 3/4 after trashing the 7 1/4 it came with...
 
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