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1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1964 1/2 - 1965 => Topic started by: ranger482v on July 05, 2011, 12:34:57 PM

Title: 65 Grill Color & Related Details
Post by: ranger482v on July 05, 2011, 12:34:57 PM
What is the correct color of black paint on the 65 grill?

Thanks,

John
Title: Re: grill color
Post by: carlite65 on July 05, 2011, 01:58:46 PM
the '65 grill is gunmetal blue. the brackets behind it are semi gloss black as well as the mounting tabs on the top ends.
Title: Re: grill color
Post by: C5ZZKGT on July 07, 2011, 09:46:12 AM
It is my understanding that "gun metal blue" is the color, I also understand that the reproductions are not a correct shade and that the correct shade is a bit hard to come by on the street........my restorer seemed to have the right specs to get the correct shade made and repainted my grille right out of the box.
Title: Re: grill color
Post by: buckeyeresto on July 08, 2011, 07:35:30 PM
Ford used three different shades of blue used thru out 65
Title: Re: grill color
Post by: CharlesTurner on July 09, 2011, 02:01:36 AM
Ford used three different shades of blue used thru out 65

Hey, something we can agree on!
Title: Re: grill color
Post by: C5ZZKGT on July 09, 2011, 07:01:34 AM
OK, How would one know which shade would have been used on a particular car? build date? plant? GT or not?
Title: Re: grill color
Post by: C5ZZKGT on July 12, 2011, 07:22:28 AM
OK, How would one know which shade would have been used on a particular car? build date? plant? GT or not?

Charles??  Nate??
Title: Original '65 grille?
Post by: 65pon on July 04, 2013, 06:44:21 AM
Hi All,

I wanted to ask if there are any markings or construction methods that can be used to determine if a '65 grille is an original or a repop?
Any date codes?
May '65 Dearborn if it makes any difference.

THANKS!

Title: Re: Original '65 grille?
Post by: 65pon on July 08, 2013, 06:21:57 AM
Anybody?
Title: Re: Original '65 grille?
Post by: CharlesTurner on July 08, 2013, 08:38:03 AM
The only identifying marks you may find on an original grille would be a black date ink-stamp.  This would typically be on either of the sides on the vertical flat spot.

Original grilles were assembled with the small top tubular rivets, these are usually black or natural.  Ford serviced a '65 grille that had large stand-up rivets which do not match the assembly line style.  For whatever reason, folks over the years assumed this was correct.  The top end tabs and vertical supports were black and then installed with the rivets.  The grille color should be a bluish gray, with variance through the production year.  Some very early 64.5 cars may have had more of a silver grille color.
Title: Re: Original '65 grille?
Post by: rodster on July 09, 2013, 11:59:04 PM
I'm guessing these are the rivets you are talking about? 

The grille on my 65 Dearborn car has different rivets on the end tabs.  Are the 'flat' ones the correct assembly line style?


(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-CkmTmYrl7wc/UdzJf9H66bI/AAAAAAAAESM/Af67LojRGTs/s640/2013-07-09_1.JPG)

These are the rivets on the passenger side.

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KqgCoAP1NsA/UdzJg8pSP5I/AAAAAAAAESk/sBOICYd2X6E/s640/2013-07-09_3.JPG)
Title: Re: Original '65 grille?
Post by: jwc66k on July 10, 2013, 12:23:52 AM
The rivets should be semi-tubular, not pop-rivets. Is there a consensus on black or natural with respect to plant or build date?
Jim
Title: Re: Original '65 grille?
Post by: rodster on July 10, 2013, 12:45:26 AM

Thanks for the info.  Guess somewhere in the past a repair was made....
Title: Re: Original '65 grille?
Post by: mgmradio on July 10, 2013, 12:41:47 PM
It is my belief that they were originally black. The coating tends to be thin and wear/ corrode off in time.
Title: 65 Grille Color
Post by: DKutz on October 31, 2016, 12:18:34 PM
SO when I restored my car, I tried to use the correct color for the Grille, I knew at least it was blue and not Black.  I ordered the correct Blue from CJ pony Parts ( I think)  My grille is pretty light blue.  I just saw a fastback this weekend very nice resto, and the grille was a very dark blue.  Does anyone have a picture of the correct color?

D
Title: Re: 65 Grille Color
Post by: DKutz on October 31, 2016, 12:20:34 PM
I just notice CJ calls it Gun Metal Blue and NPD calls it Charcoal Blue?  Again which is right and what does it really look like?

D
Title: Re: 65 Grille Color
Post by: mjd 65 on October 31, 2016, 03:28:31 PM
The correct color is gunmetal blue. It's a fairly dark blue.
Title: Re: 65 Grille Color
Post by: CharlesTurner on October 31, 2016, 03:50:07 PM
I'd describe it as medium gray/blue.
Title: Re: 65 Grille Color
Post by: DKutz on October 31, 2016, 03:53:04 PM
OK if its dark gun metal mine might be too light.

Next question,....  the ends are black, the back ribs are black, and the rivets are Black or are the rivets natural, or are they touched up with the grille color.  And how do you achieve this?  Paint the black then mask off the black and paint the blue??

>
Title: Re: 65 Grille Color
Post by: jwc66k on October 31, 2016, 04:47:13 PM
I'd describe it as medium gray/blue.
I believe Ford called the color "charcoal blue" but used that same name for a different shade in 1970.
OK if its dark gun metal mine might be too light.
It's not dark gun metal.
- the ends are black, the back ribs are black,
Yes.
- and the rivets are Black or are the rivets natural, or are they touched up with the grille color.
Black (dark phosphate) or a dark natural. They are not painted.
Jim
Title: Re: 65 Grille Color
Post by: rocket289k on November 04, 2016, 12:08:09 PM
Virginia Classic Mustang posted a nice set of pictures on their blog that I used as a reference when repainting my '65 grill.  I've attached them here.  This may make it easier to understand (a picture is worth a thousand words and all of that). 

PS - It was my understanding that the end tabs AND the rivet heads were indeed painted Black.  Charles can you please confirm or correct me.

Regards,


Ron

Title: Re: 65 Grille Color
Post by: CharlesTurner on November 04, 2016, 03:40:25 PM
PS - It was my understanding that the end tabs AND the rivet heads were indeed painted Black.  Charles can you please confirm or correct me.

The rivets could be natural or black.  They were not black paint, but plated, like black zinc or similar.
Title: Re: 65 Grille Color
Post by: Bob Gaines on November 04, 2016, 05:00:34 PM
Virginia Classic Mustang posted a nice set of pictures on their blog that I used as a reference when repainting my '65 grill.  I've attached them here.  This may make it easier to understand (a picture is worth a thousand words and all of that). 

PS - It was my understanding that the end tabs AND the rivet heads were indeed painted Black.  Charles can you please confirm or correct me.

Regards,


Ron
Also for those reading notice the style of rivet head in the picture . Many later service grills and some repros used a pop rivet style which is not assemblyline style.
Title: Re: 65 Grille Color
Post by: Skyway65 on November 04, 2016, 05:17:15 PM
When I did my grill I was able to find some correct rivets.  See the comparison to one of the originals.
Title: Re: 65 Grille Color
Post by: CharlesTurner on November 04, 2016, 05:47:33 PM
The same style rivets used on vertical vent frame weather-strip can be used.

The grille paint should be satin finish, very little if any gloss.
Title: Re: 65 Grille Color
Post by: DKutz on November 04, 2016, 06:22:49 PM
When I did my grill I was able to find some correct rivets.  See the comparison to one of the originals.

where?
Title: Re: 65 Grille Color
Post by: Skyway65 on November 04, 2016, 07:13:31 PM
where?


This is the package that I used--all the info is on there.  Good luck with the project.
Title: Re: 65 Grille Color
Post by: jwc66k on November 05, 2016, 12:11:50 AM
I've used Jay Cee Sales as well. Their address http://www.rivetsinstock.com/ There's a toll free number at the bottom of their page.
Jim
Title: Re: 65 Grille Color
Post by: rocket289k on November 05, 2016, 03:05:16 PM
The rivets could be natural or black.  They were not black paint, but plated, like black zinc or similar.

Thanks Charles