Painting bumper clamps

B

Barnwood

Member
Hello,

My dad has a '31.

My dad asked me to tape up his bumper clamp so he could spray paint them blue. It didn't look nice, though. Does anyone have advice on how to paint? I have a very steady hand and could paint it by hand if I knew how to prepare the surface and found good paint. I don't know if the brush strokes would look good, though. My dad is curious how they were painted in 1931.

He bought these plain ones: https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/product.htm?pid=977181&cat=41657 He didn't want to use decals.

But maybe I could buy these painted ones for him: https://mudsclassicparts.com/1928-1929-1930-1931-ford-model-a-stainless-steel-bumper-clamp-new/
 

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Parts suppliers sell stickers that look perfect in those bumper clamps. Don't paint them, use the stickers. Looks more professional.

Jim
 
Barnwood said:
Hello,

My dad has a '31.

My dad asked me to tape up his bumper clamp so he could spray paint them blue. It didn't look nice, though.

<snip>

My dad is curious how they were painted in 1931.

<snip>
Click to expand...

A mask was placed in front of the clamp and the dark blue paint was sprayed through it, on to the clamp.

The mask gives a smooth edge that you do not get with masking tape.
 
Ditto CarlG. Spend time making sure area to be painted is very clean. Use acetone. Rough area a bit first then clean.
 
You could drill four holes in a scrap piece of lumber to hold the clamps facing up. After cleaning as mentioned above, use One Shot Lettering Enamel #158 Dark Blue straight from the can. If you move quickly, you can 'flood' the recess, leaving no brush strokes.

Not satisfied, this enamel will wash off with mineral spirits.
 
Paint the clamp then take lacquer thinner and dampen a rag and carefully clean the edges. Works for me...


TOB
 
CarlG said:
I painted mine with a brush, using paint I bought from Berts.
Click to expand...
The "Bumper Clamp Blue" in the Paint and Finish Guide is quite a bit darker than the stickers you can get from the suppliers. I recall that years ago there were small bottles of lacquer available in the correct color with a brush in the bottle - sort of like a fingernail polish. However, I haven't seen those bottles for at least the last five years at the suppliers I frequent. When did you get your bottle from Berts? Does anyone know any other supplier that has the paint?


JayJay
 
I paint them all the time with great success and have never lost points on them in fine point judging. The correct color is "Harding Blue." I use lacquer. I simply tape off the raised center part then spray them. Then, with a paper towel wet with lacquer thinner, I simply wipe the edges clean while turning the medallion in my left hand.
 
JayJay said:
The "Bumper Clamp Blue" in the Paint and Finish Guide is quite a bit darker than the stickers you can get from the suppliers. I recall that years ago there were small bottles of lacquer available in the correct color with a brush in the bottle - sort of like a fingernail polish. However, I haven't seen those bottles for at least the last five years at the suppliers I frequent. When did you get your bottle from Berts? Does anyone know any other supplier that has the paint?


JayJay
Click to expand...
Probably about 7 or 8 years ago.
 
You can use this - available on Amazon
One Shot Dark Blue Quarter Pint #158
Brand: ONE SHOT/A.S.E.T. KUSTOM
 
GRutter said:
You can use this - available on Amazon
One Shot Dark Blue Quarter Pint #158
Brand: ONE SHOT/A.S.E.T. KUSTOM
Click to expand...
Thanks, GRutter. That looks good. I've used OneShot paints in the past to highlight lettering on some castings I've prettied up and it's nice stuff to work with. I also have some old fashioned RustOleum enamels in blue and black, and may just mix up some of my own when I get to that point.


JayJay
 
Will Cronkite makes templates to spray paint bumper clamps. Also the template for painting the inserts on dash panels. They work great. If you get a little overspray, use a soft cloth and some acetone around the edges to make the paint even. Looks like factory.
 
Dale G. said:
Will Cronkite makes templates to spray paint bumper clamps. Also the template for painting the inserts on dash panels. They work great. If you get a little overspray, use a soft cloth and some acetone around the edges to make the paint even. Looks like factory.
Click to expand...

Contact info?
 
I don't think Will has any, or makes any of them anymore. He has gotten rid of all of his Model A things.
 
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