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I recently restored the horns on my '38 1601 Packard. I have searched for pictures and found some but all seemed to be different finishes, semi-gloss, gloss black, even chrome. I realize you can restore things the way you want, but what was the original finish? What is the correct finish?

I have seen some old posts on web sites mention Packard International (PI). They have (had) a document (don't know if it still exists) that they were working on to document the color and finish of all the components under the hood of all years and models of Packard's. I searched their website and could not find it. Does anyone know how to purchase the document? Does this site have an equivalent document?

I ended up painting them semi-gloss from information I've seen from a respondent that claimed to have a copy of the document stating that the finish of the horns were semi-gloss.

Any information on this issue would be appreciated.

Lgace,
for including your '38 Eight 4 Door Touring Sedan in the Packard Owner's Registry.

Good afternoon Lgace...You might wish to call Robert Escalante, who is in charge of Packards International and Custom Auto, in Santa Ana, California...All they do is Packard Restoration and Maintenance...He is the man in charge and will know if such a document exists. 714-543-2970. Ernie in Arizona

With regard to that publication by Packards International, I would contact them directly about its current availability. Quite a few of us here have it and I'll check what it says about your horns later and advise. Last time I inquired it was still available for sale and still under copyright which precludes posting it here without permission of the publisher or author.

If ur asking about the Horns - Semi Gloss BLACK

UNDER HOOD COLOR a diff subject.

Lgace, if I'm reading the PI engine room judging guide correctly, your horns should be gloss black.

Crap! I'll look into acquiring the document and verify, but it looks like I need repaint them. It took me a long time to decide on the paint, is there any suggestions on what paint to use? I would guess its a Lacquer.

OK, thanks for the information.

Below are some pictures of the restore process I thought people would want to see.

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Hi Lgace,

Very nice tear-down and clean-up job on your horns! Just my 2-bits worth, but I'd question the need to repaint yours, if only to 'correct' from semi-gloss to gloss. 2 weeks and 200 miles under the hood and they'd look like semi-gloss anyway. I know mine do!! I simply sanded mine down on the outside and sprayed with Rustoleum high-gloss. Unless a guy is going to be under there cleaning them all the time, the 'gloss factor' is kind of a non issue to me. The purists might brand me a heretic, but what the hey?? Chris

I used to judge at Packard Club shows (not major Concours events) and agree with Chris that the difference between gloss and semi-gloss is very subtle and I can see absolutely no reason to repaint them. However, I would be very surprised if lacquer was originally used!

Typo corrected and had to fight auto-correct which kept trying to change it back!

Don, if I may - Concours not Concourse. Happy New Year and take care.