Factory color for underside of tub

[Broncoman]

I am in the middle of an ongoing discussion about the color of the bottom side of the tub. The color I am seeing on a 70 and a 71 do not agree with what is “standard”. The area above transmission/transmission is probably a good place to see the original color. This isn’t the exterior color or shouldn’t be from what I am told.

I need to hear from the experts.

 

[markatherton]

tub

Red Oxide primer

 

[JGbronc]

Anthony sent me the pics of these two Broncos. Neither were tan originally, one was Carmel Bronze, the other was some form of yellow. Both have what appears to be tan paint on the underside.

No red oxide primer, no original color, and it’s not undercoat. It even resembles Mojave Tan paint.

This is something I’ve never ever seen before. I’m stumped ?:?

 

[fordfan]

This is not an answer to the question, but as per information from a Ford Employee that worked at the Michigan Truck Plant, all Bronco tubs from 66 to 77 were completely dipped (submerged) in a large tank of red oxide primer. The front clip was painted separately in a different area from the tub. It was painted in the "Small Parts Paint Area". This answers why many Broncos ('70 or so on) the front fenders and grill doesn't match the tub. The red oxide was on the tub and black e-coat on the small parts.

This doesn't answer Broncoman's question, but just illustrates the fact that manufacturing techniques were very different than compared to now. Then, most things were done by hand (real live humans) and not robots. The original paint usually has numerous runs and thin spots too. The two Broncos in the discussion could have had the last of the paint in the supply line to the gun sprayed out on the underneath before the 'real' color was applied.

What is the color code on the Broncos?

 

[Broncoman]

This is not an answer to the question, but as per information from a Ford Employee that worked at the Michigan Truck Plant, all Bronco tubs from 66 to 77 were completely dipped (submerged) in a large tank of red oxide primer.

I don’t believe thats completely true. I distinctly remember seeing a low mileage bronco on here that was obviously sprayed either by hand or the tub passed over sprayers. There were areas that were completely missed and were bare metal.

 

[Broncoman]

What is the color code on the Broncos?

1970 is k Carmel bronze

1971 is prairie yellow as far as I can tell

 

[fordfan]

The retired Ford guy said the red oxide was applied by dipping, not the paint. Yes. I have noticed many areas that were unpainted, but not unprimed. I have seen where the red oxide would crack and come off over time leaving the metal exposed.

 

[Broncoman]

There is only one layer of paint/primer and no red oxide in the flaking area or anywhere

 

[JGbronc]

I’m fairly confident that not all tubs were dipped. These pics are from a super low mileage 76, and this area has bare metal exposed under the red primer. You can also tell it was sprayed by the fade towards the bare areas

 

[Broncoman]

I’m fairly confident that not all tubs were dipped. These pics are from a super low mileage 76, and this area has bare metal exposed under the red primer. You can also tell it was sprayed by the fade towards the bare areas

That is exactly the Bronco I remember seeing. Doesn’t looked dipped to me%)
I have done floor pans in two broncos and neither had red oxide paint inside the floor braces. You would think dipping would have gotten red oxide in those areas.

 

[Rustytruck]

overspray

 

[svastano]

That is exactly the Bronco I remember seeing. Doesn’t looked dipped to me%)
I have done floor pans in two broncos and neither had red oxide paint inside the floor braces. You would think dipping would have gotten red oxide in those areas.

I completely agree with this statement. If they were dipped we would not have nearly the rust problems that are coming from within the cavities.

 

[trailerjack]

That being said....to do a proper restoration, should one paint the entire tub in red oxide primer?

 

[broncojack]

This is a picture of my Bold Orange 74 unrestored Ranger. You can see it is not even close to primer colors.

I read in a mustang forum that they dumped the leftover paint into one big barrel and when it was full they sent it down to the primer dept. Just like Henry Ford, don't waste anything.

 

[JGbronc]

I read in a mustang forum that they dumped the leftover paint into one big barrel and when it was full they sent it down to the primer dept. Just like Henry Ford, don't waste anything.

This theory makes the best sense to me. It’s amazing how there’s always something new to learn. Nobody ever knows everything about these things!

 

[Broncoblood]

Andrew and I restored my 68, I remember we noted all this at that time and I believe 1969 and older was red oxide primer, then later was another primer color, then later then that was body color underside. If you're looking to keep it to spec, take the time to research it a little more and squirt what is right down there.

 

[okie4570]

Andrew and I restored my 68, I remember we noted all this at that time and I believe 1969 and older was red oxide primer, then later was another primer color, then later then that was body color underside. If you're looking to keep it to spec, take the time to research it a little more and squirt what is right down there.

I've read thus same info elsewhere, I don’t think it was on classicbroncos

 

[69_Sport]

My unrestored Norway Green '69 has School Bus Yellow paint on the bottom side. Definitely not red primer.

If someone wants to document this, then knowing the build date of unrestored examples and good color photographs will need to be compiled. Over time a pattern will develop with enough reference points.

I'll bet the build process changed over time. 12 years is a long time.

I'd be surprised if, at some point, Ford didn't do the same as with Mustangs and reuse leftover paint from the previous day as primer.

If you are trying to restore one, then you should document your own truck during the restoration and recreate what was there originally. No two are exactly alike. Trying to match someone else's without knowing when they were built is not the way to go.

 

[rguest3]

My Broncos are painted PPG Red Oxide Epoxy Primer. Rear Differential is the same with clear added.

This color creates a great background for the rest underneath.

 

[73azbronco]

My 73 is grabber blue all over from factory, 1973 version.