Topic: "Black out" on steering box for 1964 1/2 Mustang

[Hipo giddyup]

 I've heard a lot about a "black out" approach on the steering boxes. This is where the cast look was painted black, I guess to prevent it rusting? Can anyone explain this and does the whole box get sprayed black or just sprayed down from the top of the box?? Right now my steering box is cast colored but I'm at a great point to correct it before I finish anymore under the hood. Thanks.

[CharlesTurner]

It was either sprayed or painted with a brush, typical to see runs going down the side.  I can't say for sure when this practice began on Mustangs but I have an August '64 Dearborn example with the blackout.

[Hipo giddyup]

  So would an aerosol spray paint reproduce this close to factory? Is so do you think satin, gloss, or flat?

[Bob Gaines]

  So would an aerosol spray paint reproduce this close to factory? Is so do you think satin, gloss, or flat?

I can't say for 64.5 but the vast majority of the 65 's I have seen appeared to be brushed and just a few sprayed. I have only seen brushed application on the 66-68 I have seen. With what I have seen it appears to have defaulted to that type application IMO.This would have been a quick and easy way to make the application and not worry about overspray.  The brushing typically is as the assembly manual instructions call for -which is what you can see from above when you look in the engine bay. With that said I have seen some that appeared mostly all over but typically the ones I have observed were the tops and partial on the side. Probably a semi gloss black on the order of the pinchweld type paint.  Just my observations.

[J_Speegle]

Mostly seen some San Jose cars with the black out on the steering box - but not all. When observed they appear to have been done with a brush and with allot of paint - but not caring effort

Likely the same paint as used to black out headlight buckets when brushes were used, or missed pinch weld Looks to be a lacquer based for quick drying and not gloss - as they would not want a reflection on something that wanted blacked out

[Bob Gaines]

Mostly seen some San Jose cars with the black out on the steering box - but not all. When observed they appear to have been done with a brush and with allot of paint - but not caring effort

Likely the same paint as used to black out headlight buckets when brushes were used, or missed pinch weld Looks to be a lacquer based for quick drying and not gloss - as they would not want a reflection on something that wanted blacked out

I agree with Jeff that I too have seen many without any signs of ever had paint blackout .That makes it all the more interesting .

[Hipo giddyup]

 I was thinking it would be a nice touch in the event I start showing the car. How would this be graded at a show?? Either with the black out or without is acceptable?

[J_Speegle]

I was thinking it would be a nice touch in the event I start showing the car. How would this be graded at a show?? Either with the black out or without is acceptable?

I would say that it depends on the show (organization) their rules, when and where your car was built as well as the knowledge of the judges. No fat and easy answer to cover all situations IMHO. Could see situations where the black out would cost you points and others were it would not matter if it was there or not.

One challenge with new details I've found is that some jump on any new detail that has been introduced (accepting it with enthusiasm) and what to apply it immediately to all or every car just because they saw it on the internet or in a magazine. Generally speaking of things and new "facts" in general

[CharlesTurner]

The MCA rules allow for cars with or without it.  I would want to see consistent evidence from the time period a car was built before applying it.  Or, if you are certain you have the original box and found the black-out, then reproduce it.  Consider that it could have been painted over during a previous owner engine bay "restoration".  So, it may take some investigating to figure out if blackout is really that.

[Hipo giddyup]

 Thanks to all. I agree with what's been said and I am probably not going to black it out because I cannot be sure the box was originally that way. For now it will remain cast colored.

[CharlesTurner]

Thanks to all. I agree with what's been said and I am probably not going to black it out because I cannot be sure the box was originally that way. For now it will remain cast colored.

Think you've made a wise choice!

[buckeyeresto]

I have looked at a lot of steering boxes and cleaned them a majority of them donot have the black paint on them

[ajd350]

Jun 65 Dearborn FB HCC AX box. When cleaned, I was able to uncover the factory paint daubs under the brushed-on blackout. The paint was applied to the top and just a smudge down the inboard side

[CharlesTurner]

Jun 65 Dearborn FB HCC AX box. When cleaned, I was able to uncover the factory paint daubs under the brushed-on blackout. The paint was applied to the top and just a smudge down the inboard side

I've seen a lot blacked out around the May-July time period from Dearborn...

[rodster]

I've seen a lot blacked out around the May-July time period from Dearborn...

April 19th scheduled Dearborn

I'm thinking this was blacked out and I need to take a closer look but the arrow in the picture points to what looks to be a paint daub?