Topic: 66 SJ GT Mustang Underneath colour

[Tiny]

Hi all, I have just finished the mammoth task of cleaning all of the gunk and oil etc from under the car revealing the pristine original colour.  Can you advise what the correct colour should be.  I have been told its red oxide however this colour is not close at all to the what is under the car.  I have also been told its brown/red oxide. The car is a San Jose build.

cheers

[CharlesTurner]

If you've cleaned the underside and revealed the original primer color, you have your answer.  Have the color matched to replicate the original if you need to re-spray.  Also note that from the firewall forward on the front frame rails was probably a different primer color or different shade of red-oxide.

[J_Speegle]

Hi all, I have just finished the mammoth task of cleaning all of the gunk and oil etc from under the car revealing the pristine original colour.  Can you advise what the correct colour should be.  I have been told its red oxide however this colour is not close at all to the what is under the car.  I have also been told its brown/red oxide. The car is a San Jose build.

"Red Oxide" is a general term used for the color. There is allot of threads related to the color and suggested (what many have had success with) products to use. Most think of red oxide as the flat open primer with a slight texture to the finished surface though the red oxide we find on the original cars is a smooth almost glossy product that sealed out the moisture since it was an epoxy based product. Not something that looked like Rustoleum red oxide rattle cans

Color will very slightly (more in later years than in the early from my observations) but as Charles wrote - you have a nice example of what was there originally so use that as your answer after documenting the findings. If its in great condition and there are no repairs, or limited ones, you may be able to touch it up, rough up the original (after cleaning it very well) and simply shot a thin full coat over the original leaving all the factory runs, drips and details. Just don't put too much product on since it will start looking like it was dipped

[Tiny]

Just a follow up re the correct paint for underneath the car, in Australia at least they used to sell a 'Red/Brown mix that was correct for the 66 and other mustangs.  Unfortunately they dont make it any more but the brand of paint is 'Spies Hecker'  They said they could make it again if they had the formula.  Anyone know of the formula for the correct paint for under the early mustangs.

Cheers

[J_Speegle]

Just a follow up re the correct paint for underneath the car, in Australia at least they used to sell a 'Red/Brown mix that was correct for the 66 and other mustangs.  Unfortunately they dont make it any more but the brand of paint is 'Spies Hecker'  They said they could make it again if they had the formula.  Anyone know of the formula for the correct paint for under the early mustangs.

Cheers

Do they happen to have a scanner they can bring out and shot a sample on the car?  Paint shops in the US have these though I've never used the them for that purpose. Have older formulas but since the products and toners have changed they are not useful any more

So Ditzler is not available in country?

[CharlesTurner]

Anyone know of the formula for the correct paint for under the early mustangs.

There really is no 'correct' primer color.  I'm sure Jeff could show you as many as 20 or more different shades for each production year.  Not to mention color variances as slop colors or even black were used.

The best thing to do is match what you find on your own car.  If that's not available, then seek out pictures of other cars built near in production to yours at the same assembly plant.

[jwc66k]

Your car's VIN and the build date, are very important in determining answers to your question (almost all for that matter). I have two Oct 65, San Jose Mustangs that "bracket" your car's build date. Both have a dark color primer (grey?) used on the under carriage. Look for areas under the car that were primered but covered, like the ring around the seat access plug holes, or behind the tie down brackets, or the frame rails at the rear engine (aka transmission) mount when it's removed.
Jim

[rockhouse66]

Mine was scheduled for late Sept. '65 but I believe built around Oct. 1 and it is the pink/salmon shade of "red" underneath.  I didn't realize how close it came to being gray! 

[CharlesTurner]

Also consider that from the firewall to the front of the car on the bottom of the frame rails could be a different shade or color.

[J_Speegle]

Mine was scheduled for late Sept. '65 but I believe built around Oct. 1 and it is the pink/salmon shade of "red" underneath.  I didn't realize how close it came to being gray! 

There is a specific period when they used a very different shade from all the other months/time periods at San Jose.


That is why its so important (if you want to get it right) to provide and focus on your cars build period And why so many member have included the information in their signature - so they don't forget of have to enter it every time you ask a question