Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

Hi Ford Barn:


What is the best way to paint the black inserts in the 1930/31 Instrument Panel?


Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

I just masked the area carefully with masking tape and painted flat black with a rattle can.

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

I have done them a couple of ways. Both ways look very good.

1: Use an eye dropper or syringe, and fill the insert with paint. The panel must be laying perfectly flat for the paint to fill in properly.

2: Mask and paint.

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

I’ve done the mask and paint but don’t hurry the masking.

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

Do you have to sand the area (chrome) that you are going to paint?

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

Yes, it has to be sanded for the paint to bond. If you don't sand the paint will chip off. Then wipe down with an acetone or degreaser to clean any fingerprints or oils left on the metal before paint.

Sand with a 400 grit.

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

A slow drying self leveling paint will turn out good. I saw an old truck that was painted with a brush that turned out very good, not a 10 thousand paint job. He used a brush able enamel paint. If you have a steady hand use an artist paint brush or a pin stripping brush and pin stripping paint, if you make a mess paint thinner will clean it up.

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

Old '31 method 1 works well. One can use any small squeeze bottle with a tiny snout filled with striping or similar enamel thinned if required. Also good for filling in logo voids on running board step plates. A piece of 400 or 600 sand paper cut with a paper hole punch glued on a dowel or round chop stick is handy..

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

Is the paint flat , semi-gloss or Gloss ? Any Photos ?

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

Some of the parts suppliers have a template just for this purpose. The painted edge is to have a soft transition not like what you get with masking tape. Use of the template allows you to spray these places. I think this is the process that Ford used to make the job quick! Ed

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

'Flat Instrument Black Enamel # M-11221'

" The material desired is a Flat Black Enamel suitable for use on depressions in instrument panels. These depressions are above the gasoline gauge and below the speedometer."

After scrubbing the depressions well with grease & wax remover I mask off the instrument panel, lastly covering the depressions with 2" tape. With a new bladed Exacto knife I cut around the depressions & peel. Cutting up an old plastic credit card to form a pick, lift the tape edge off the instrument panel. This will give the paint a soft edge look.

I usually mist a coat of black primer followed by two coats of flat black.

Remember to do the pop out switch instrument panel black ring at the same time.

Best, jb

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

Ed in Maine has the right idea. A template will leave a soft edge as was originally.

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

Hi members:


Thank you for all this great information. I will do my project this week.


Thanks again for all the great information.

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

The Judging Standards and Restoration Guidelines, says it was satin black, not flat black, so a very soft sheen. Page 6-2

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

Paint pens rule.........

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

How about a picture "after the fact"?

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

M-1221 Flat Black Instrument Black Enamel 4-15-30

EVERY item (cloth, paint, glue, thinners, etc.) Ford purchased to produce his cars was assigned an 'M' number which listed the 'General Requirements' that an outside supplier must meet or be rejected.

The basis of the Judging Standards comes from Benson Ford Archives of factory blue prints and these M number lists, not "based on cars we have seen" illogic.

100 years later the shading question is mute, but now you know what Ford specified.
No different than Ford delivered most cars with black wall tires but today you would never know it

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

That is what I used. Worked good.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...736dd1153b.jpg

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

I guess I don't totally understand? The Judging Standards which is derived from many sources, including the Benson Ford Archives, mentions many shades of black: gloss, semi-gloss, satin, raven, japan and very specific applications for each black. For whatever reason they chose satin black to describe the black insert of the dash panel, not flat black or raven, or black, or semi-gloss or gloss?

Re: Painting black insert in 30/31 instrument panel
 

31Tudor

Happy to 'splain, but rather than 'hijack' this thread, I'll reach you privately. jb