Fender Clips

[1969 beep beep]

I recently blasted and epoxy coated my fenders. When do the fender clips go back on now or after the fenders are painted the body color? What color are the original fender clips? Body color or Black Oxide?

 

[moparnation74]

Originally, they were black zinc phosphate and installed prior to any paint or coating. Once the car was painted then the undercoating was sprayed over the clips in the fender area.

It depends on your type of restoration.

 

[1969 beep beep]

Hey Moparnation74,

Did the factory install the fender hardware over the primer then shoot the car color?

Would it be best then to shoot black primer over the hardware before installing them? If I black oxide them they will be full of oil, and that will be a problem when shooting the color over them.

 

[moparnation74]

Hey Moparnation74,

Did the factory install the fender hardware over the primer then shoot the car color?

Would it be best then to shoot black primer over the hardware before installing them? If I black oxide them they will be full of oil, and that will be a problem when shooting the color over them.

At the factory in the metal shop they had a greenish primer they placed on the top of the inner fender/clip area, then placed the clips, then foam sealer and installed the fenders. So once the body, fenders, doors, hood, trunk were all assembled it then moved to the dipping stages. Phosphate first then several others dips. The inner fenders and rear wells along with the exterior got an oxide primer then paint. Once the rear end and fuel lines etc were in the wheels wells got undercoat.

So the factory was not concerned about the black zinc due to mainly the undercoat and who would see them? SO the corrosion resistance was more important than paint.....

So long story short...I am doing a factory like restoration currently. I am reusing all original hardware because I had a nice car with nice parts. The shop blasted the clips and I had them paint with an black epoxy primer.

 

[69bfan]

A couple of questions for you. Are you reusing your original clips? If so, I would bead blast and then drop in DP90 or equivalent so that they will be ready to be placed on the body according to their position and be used and primed / painted body color. If your using new clips that were zinc phosphated with a oil bath, then they need to be cleaned of the oil finish. Just drop into a pan with lacquer cleaner and wash and dry and they will be ready for primer / paint.
When these cars were new, the bodies were all painted with most of the major components all in place. Now 45 years later, everyone is painting these cars all in different stages and then assembled. Bottom line is that the clips and bolts in most locations should be body color. Some will get covered with the under coating and some will get a bit of black out .

 

[1969 beep beep]

Thanks guys for all the feedback. I am using some new and majority of all the old clips.

I know you recommend epoxy over the clips. Any issues with using self etching primer instead?

I would have to buy a quart of epoxy just for the hardware.

 

[moparnation74]

Call your paint store and tell them your situation. They may be able to give you a sample size(which they normally dont do). If I had some I would help you out but I do not.

Another option is post a topic in the general section, the members here are very helpful....

 

[1969 beep beep]

Thanks moparnation74. I will make some calls.