Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

I am getting ready to start on what I hope will be a frame-off restoration on my 52 Deluxe 200. From what I can tell the frame uses a special black frame paint like I would get from Eastwood. What about the chassis? Can I use the same paint or is the color and/or texture different. I have never done a total frame-off before. All help appreciated. Thanks, Tracy.

AO-Smith, who built the frames for Packard delivered them in a basic black frame paint. Pretty much a cheap satin black (low-gloss). Not glossy or perfect. Remember, these were not show cars when new. The paint was for basic rust protection, not show.

Any texture you may seen could have been from undercoating that was common in the snow belt areas.

Thanks Kev.

As Kev says, a satin black was the norm. I tend to favour a 2-pak because it will last longer and resist stone chips etc. Easy to apply for a full frame-off resto, you have easy access to all areas.

The POR black is single pak, and is very tough and resistant to things like gas, ATF and even brake fluid, and can be brushed on IF you don't have the gear to spray a 2-pak. But you have to overcoat it with the POR Chassis Coat because the POR Black is very high gloss (- and it is also expensive but a small tin goes a long way and is hard as nails). Spraying any other satin 2-pak black would be cheaper but caution about the safety aspects as the hardener is typically harmful to health.

By the way, Packard did provide an option for customers to have the chassis painted some colour other than black, but I believe that was in earlier years, and that option had been phased out before 1952.

I can recommend Van Sickle Tractor, Equipment and Industrial Enamel. There is a hardener available for it. It sprays nice, is very tough and is quite inexpensive. You want satin black. It is available at Tractor Supply and I also found it at an independent farm & feed store.

Hello all. I am presently using, after many different experiments, the paint supplied by John Deere. It is reduced 10/1 for spraying, and I believe it to be the best solution yet. Good luck

eastwood satin chassis black.