Giulietta Spider Bumper Bracket Color

[Britalia]

After many years without bumpers, I am contemplating putting the bumpers back on. I just got them rechromed and am staring at the original bumper brackets.
I see many different paint colors on the brackets. My best guess is that they were originally flat black, but I see some of the original body paint, as well. (probabaly from a repair at some point in its life).
This is no show car, so it really doesn't matter. I am just curious as to what others think the factory did, before I paint them. I guess it boils down to whether the brackets were installed before the body was painted, or after.
Thanks
Chuck in NC

[Gordon Raymond]

The studs that protrude from the body are always body color. The bracket that fastens to the bumpers are always a gloss black. This is OEM as new. Many paint the brackets that fasten to the bumpers with a semi gloss or flat black, but, like the Bosch horns, when new they were shiny. The bolts were cad plated, but rusted in use. Stainless steel nuts and bolts glass beaded, look like cad, but don't rust. Hope this helps!

[Britalia]

Thanks Gordon,
Shiny black it is ... watching the paint dry. You are right about the horns ... they are flat black now, but were certainly shiny when the car was new. I just knew that someone had the answer. Thanks for sharing.
Regards
Chuck in NC

[Gordon Raymond]

Chuck, as you may have read, I really love these cars and those that care for them. My own '65 is an unrestored example and "time-capsule" for restorers. I am always happy to provide photo's and templates and discussion for those interested in keeping their cars as close to the way they were built, as desired.

[alfazagato]

Gordon...what a treasure trove of information you are....the only supports I have ever dismantled were all rust covered which leads me to believe that whatever they were painted in was not up to much!!!

[divotandtralee]

BMW Polaris Black

[Gordon Raymond]

Sounds like a nice color. RustOleum black over the red damp proof primer is what I used.
Has that nice Alfa factory "patina" look!

[user459]

Gordon,
Have you tried the Rustoleum Professional High Performance Enamel? I found it at Home Depot. I did my bumper brackets and it seems much more durable than the regular Rustoleum or the Satin Black Rustoleum. I'll repaint my Bosch horns now that I know they are supposed to be gloss black.

[Gordon Raymond]

This is the latest stuff, and yes Terry I have tried it and YES it is more durable. I still use it over the old red damp proof primer as that old primer DOES stop rust. It is NOT as durable as the new top coat, and the new stuff saves the primer.
I have used this line of products for many years now, and have been able to see the effect of these materials over time. They seem to work much better than anything else that existed 30 years ago, though with the rapid advances in todays technology, I sure would not be amazed that there might be better stuff either out there or arriving soon!