Proper finish for the backside of the front fenders

[special55]

Hey guys,

Got the fenders in primer today and I'm unclear what the factory finish was for the back side. I have 3 full sets of fenders and it appeared to be everything from a black primer to overspray body color.

So what is the proper finish?

Any of you that have completed restorations on your 55s feel free to weigh in.

As always I appreciate your help. I wouldn't be anywhere near the point I am if it wasn't for all the info you guys have shared with me.

Thanks very much,

Rich

[jonahboo]

my car was undercoated (dealer or fact - dunno) - car was from Pa.

[buick5563]

I did mine satin black.

[buick5563]

...However, I am not sure there was any finish on them originally. I seem to recall that maybe they were galvanized???

[old-tank]

Rich

The factory shipped them black with overspray...I just did mine black as do most restorers.

Willie

[Bhigdog]

Can't go wrong with a semi gloss black..................Bob

[special55]

Hey Guys,

Thank you for all the quick replies. It did appear on a couple of these that there was no finish at all or at least a very thin layer as they seemed to be mostly surface rust.

I like the black with a bit of flatener though and it just so happens I have some left over from my inner fenders and rims .

Thanks again guys,

Rich

[NTX5467]

In more recent times, the fenders would have been dipped in black primer, a layer of which was on top of water in a vat, which explains the runs that you might find in the primer. Nothing pretty, just functional. Satin, which is different from "semi-gloss", would be more correct. With extended time, the thin layer would probably "evaporate", allowing the surface rust mentioned as time progressed--depending upon the general atmospheric environments the vehicle lived in.

Over-spray would be normal, too, from spraying the edges of the fenders, as that would be done after the primer happened. Just like Old-Tank mentioned!

Just some thoughts,

NTX5467