Rocker Panel Texture?, How to duplicate. Options

[Artfrombama]

Refinishing my metal rocker panels, I've noticed a slight "texture" that isn't as pronounced as undercoating or pickup bedliner.
Was wondering if anyone has duplicated this finish and what was their procedure.

Did a couple of searches and (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

As usual, TIA. Greatest 914 knowledge base ever!

[Garland]

I just did this technique on the front air down, I use the same technique for rockers.

Here’s the three products to use. First spray the black primer for a basecoat. Second after some practice spray a light coat of chip guard with some distance from the rocker, that will give the speckled effect. Just a quick light back-and-forth does a great job. Third I use the black satin as a topcoat.
I suppose any black primer would work, but the brand of chip guard and black satin work, and match original color very well.
To see this on rockers, see my build link at the bottom of this post.

[DennisV]

Refinishing my metal rocker panels, I've noticed a slight "texture" that isn't as pronounced as undercoating or pickup bedliner.
Was wondering if anyone has duplicated this finish and what was their procedure.

Did a couple of searches and (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

As usual, TIA. Greatest 914 knowledge base ever!

Here is a good thread on valance refinishing. On our car, the rocker finish is not the same as the valance. I don't know if that is correct.

We haven't completed ours yet, but ended up buying 3M Rocker Panel Coating - Gray for texture and Wurth Flexi-trim Satin Black for color.

Some very nice results in @Garland post.

[technicalninja]

I just did this technique on the front air down, I use the same technique for rockers.

Here’s the three products to use. First spray the black primer for a basecoat. Second after some practice spray a light coat of chip guard with some distance from the rocker, that will give the speckled effect. Just a quick light back-and-forth does a great job. Third I use the black satin as a topcoat.
I suppose any black primer would work, but the brand of chip guard and black satin work, and match original color very well.
To see this on rockers, see my build link at the bottom of this post.

Thanks @Garland !

Part numbers and all.

Best DIY I've seen yet for finish appearance.

You NAILED it big time!

[Garland]

Same technique:
Rocker finish from my 2016 build,

.

and Targa top.

[Artfrombama]

@Garland
@DennisV
@technicalninja
Thanks all for the response, I'll pick up some chipguard and black satin Monday

[wonkipop]

i missed this thread.

there is a very good old topic on this one.
has a photo of original finish on a valence. rockers were the same.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=51158

and there was a more recent similar thread a coule of years ago but i can't find it with a search.

depends what you want to do and whether you are seeking the original finish.
which definitely is not as indicated above.
i still have original finish on my valence, rockers and painted bumpers.
its done with shutz and then satin black shot over that - from factory.
i would describe the finish as a kind of orange peel paint in the end.
bumpy but not textured like sandpaper as per above.
in the case of my car the finish on the valence and rockers is a smaller scale orange peel like texture than the bumpers.

[Artfrombama]

i missed this thread.

there is a very good old topic on this one.
has a photo of original finish on a valence. rockers were the same.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=51158

and there was a more recent similar thread a coule of years ago but i can't find it with a search.

depends what you want to do and whether you are seeking the original finish.
which definitely is not as indicated above.
i still have original finish on my valence, rockers and painted bumpers.
its done with shutz and then satin black shot over that - from factory.
i would describe the finish as a kind of orange peel paint in the end.
bumpy but not textured like sandpaper as per above.
in the case of my car the finish on the valence and rockers is a smaller scale orange peel like texture than the bumpers.

My rockers had the finish much like post #8 in the above link but the paint had worn off and was showing some surface rust. F&R valances look to be smooth satin black. No clue if they have been refinished in the past. Front valance is metal, rear is fiberglass or some type of composite.

[wonkipop]

i missed this thread.

there is a very good old topic on this one.
has a photo of original finish on a valence. rockers were the same.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=51158

and there was a more recent similar thread a coule of years ago but i can't find it with a search.

depends what you want to do and whether you are seeking the original finish.
which definitely is not as indicated above.
i still have original finish on my valence, rockers and painted bumpers.
its done with shutz and then satin black shot over that - from factory.
i would describe the finish as a kind of orange peel paint in the end.
bumpy but not textured like sandpaper as per above.
in the case of my car the finish on the valence and rockers is a smaller scale orange peel like texture than the bumpers.

My rockers had the finish much like post #8 in the above link but the paint had worn off and was showing some surface rust. F&R valances look to be smooth satin black. No clue if they have been refinished in the past. Front valance is metal, rear is fiberglass or some type of composite.

they may have been repainted somewhere along the way?

mine are original. the texture is much smoother than above photos.
it really is like a subtle orange peel.
the base coat would have been originally applied by a shutz gun.
same as how a lot of wheel wells were done on cars. then body/black paint over that.

the rockers and valences are close to each other on my car.
if anything the rockers are the smoothest of all.
the bumpers with black paint are the biggest scale of orange peel.
the valences in between.
probably all painted at different times and stock piled.
all has to do with the hand of the painter who did them in the first place.

but original finish is a lot smoother than examples posted above.
but it doesn't really matter.
these are surfaces that cop stone chips etc and are meant to be be some kind of shutz like paint surface.
it would only matter to a person attempting to do a true factory restoration as to achieving that exact original finish.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[DennisV]

Here is another comparison reference. My dad completed the refurbish using standard primer base, 3M Rocker Panel Coating - Gray for texture and Wurth Flexi-trim Satin Black for color. POR15 on the back to address some rust.

Top is the front valance refinished with 3M. Botton rear valance with what I think is original finish. Original is a bit larger and smoother, but not much.


Our valances are different from the rockers. The rockers are much larger and smoother orange peel finish as described by @wonkipop .

I am still unclear as to whether original rockers and valances had different textures. Also if it varied by year.

[wonkipop]

Here is another comparison reference. My dad completed the refurbish using standard primer base, 3M Rocker Panel Coating - Gray for texture and Wurth Flexi-trim Satin Black for color. POR15 on the back to address some rust.

Top is the front valance refinished with 3M. Botton rear valance with what I think is original finish. Original is a bit larger and smoother, but not much.


Our valances are different from the rockers. The rockers are much larger and smoother orange peel finish as described by @wonkipop .

I am still unclear as to whether original rockers and valances had different textures. Also if it varied by year.

yes @DennisV
i think things like the valences, the rocker panels, and painted bumpers are all pre finished somewhere else in factory in batches.

hence some inconsistencies in the final appearance.
all in the hands of the painter who did whatever batch.
technique in the shutz gun base coat - depends on distance of gun away from panel etc.

i mean thats the way the factory did them and i suppose if you were a fanatical restorer you might try and replicate that. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
but i think its just a matter of getting a consistent finish on those panels if you are restoring a car.
but its def not the sandpaper like finer texture originally. more of an orange peel like surface. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[wonkipop]

orig factory finish on my car rear bumper and valence.
would say orange peel on rockers mid way between.
you can see from the bumper its a shutz coat under a final finish coat in satin black.




mind you i would highly qualify this.
its a 74 1.8
no idea what an earlier car has or had.
and possibly varied month to month depending on shultz the shutz mans hangover. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
but art from bama does have a 74 1.8 like mine pretty close in production date.
only a month or two apart.

[DennisV]

Just to bring the reference from our car full circle, since I am actually with the car this weekend.

Here is our front valance (top) next to a rocker (bottom). Hard to know if either has been refinished, but there's no obvious tells other than the rocker being somewhat glossy. They are from 1970 914-6. Texture is much closer to matching than I recalled.

[Artfrombama]

I’ve noticed sanding the rockers that the actual texture is an off white/ivory color with a black topcoat.
I believe it’s original but cannot be sure.

[wonkipop]

I’ve noticed sanding the rockers that the actual texture is an off white/ivory color with a black topcoat.
I believe it’s original but cannot be sure.

that would be right.
i did some shutz work on the inner wheel well repair of my falcon ute a few years back.
the shutz was a cream color.
it probably hasn't changed in 50 years.
as far as i know its only white.

i top sprayed black over that. original way the ford was done in the wheel wells.

however my shutz work was nowhere near as good as the 914 rockers etc. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
its tricky to do. i wasn't too worried as it was a wheel well repair.

[Artfrombama]

<Before refinishing