1970 tail light panel? Finished 5/5

[Dansbirds]

Have any of you guys repainted the stainless trim black? If so what did you use? Mine has mostly worn off over time with basically the only color still being on the trunk lock cover and a little bit on the edges of the thunderbird script

[Davec]

Is it supposed to be black or a dark grey graphite type of colour ?

[Dansbirds]

That’s what I don’t know, I can see some color near the letters but not sure how much is painted. I’m leaning towards once I find out the proper color painting the whole thing then taking the paint back off the face of the letters and the edge of the panel.

here’s what I have now

[Joe Johnston]

A quick Google search found this picture from an original brochure.

[Dansbirds]

Thanks, so it looks all blacked out except for lenses and letters. I think I’ll start with a flat black and see from there.

[Davec]

hmm interesting. Mine has faded then.

[Dansbirds]

Davec, has yours faded completely like mine or do you still have some color? If you do does it look more of a flat black or a grey? Also is yours smooth finish or textured?

[Davec]

yours looks black on one side. mine has faded equally all over which is why i'm curious as it is a unmolested example.
will try and upload a pic. It does look black in this pic tho

[Dansbirds]

Thanks for the picture that certainly helps. If mine looks black at all it’s only a reflection of the car, mine literally looks like some one polished the whole panel to remove all color, except on the lock cover.

[Alan H. Tast]

Chances are it's either semi-gloss/trim black or dark charcoal/gray, which Ford and others liked to use on things like styled steel wheels. Flat black probably be too dull and would not look good compared to an original that as some sheen to it. Comparison with some more unrestored/original cars of the same model year (1970) would be helpful here - not sure if anything would change between '70-'71, and I haven't taken time to track this down in parts books yet.

[Dansbirds]

I’m thinking I will try some SEM Trim black. I believe it’s a satin gloss. I was hoping for some more original pictures also. Once I get into it further I will post some pictures in case anyone ever needs to see how it turned out and what I used.

[Alan H. Tast]

I’m thinking I will try some SEM Trim black. I believe it’s a satin gloss. I was hoping for some more original pictures also. Once I get into it further I will post some pictures in case anyone ever needs to see how it turned out and what I used.

Good choice. Worse come to worse, if it is a color other than black then at least you have a base color coat on the metal . Will need to investigate further as this has implications for the '67-'71 Original Factory Specifications Manual (whenever I can get someone to help us with researching/assembling it).

[Davec]

Ah yes ! dark charcoal the same as the hubcap trim. Mine had these but that has worn off and had to redo black.

[Dansbirds]

Davec, one more question if I may on your car. Does your car only have color in the area with the letters or does it also have color on the top edge and the sides.

[Davec]

It has colour on the top edge too as you can see. I think the sides are black as they are part of the quarter panel section. Bear in mind mine is a 4 dr but suspect they are the same.