Road Runner Nest

Was the fender tag screws painted body color or not?

Thanks!

Yes

although i have never had a car since new or knew anyone who did i have read some place that most of the time one screw was painted and one not

From what I have been told, the fender tag was installed with one screw, then the tag bent upward so that paint would get under it. After paint the others screw which was unpainted was installed to fasten it down.

71bird wrote:From what I have been told, the fender tag was installed with one screw, then the tag bent upward so that paint would get under it. After paint the others screw which was unpainted was installed to fasten it down.

same thing i read - furthermore if i remember what i read correctly normally the front screw was the painted one the rear was unpainted and if you had a 2 tag car the center screw that hits both tags was painted while both outside screws were unpainted

kenny wrote:

71bird wrote:From what I have been told, the fender tag was installed with one screw, then the tag bent upward so that paint would get under it. After paint the others screw which was unpainted was installed to fasten it down.

same thing i read - furthermore if i remember what i read correctly normally the front screw was the painted one the rear was unpainted and if you had a 2 tag car the center screw that hits both tags was painted while both outside screws were unpainted

I read the same. In addition, I used to own a 67 Barracuda which still had the original paint under the hood and the front screw was painted while the rear one was not. There was also a visible bend mark on the front/top corner where it was bent upward for painting.

JimT1971RR wrote:

kenny wrote:

71bird wrote:From what I have been told, the fender tag was installed with one screw, then the tag bent upward so that paint would get under it. After paint the others screw which was unpainted was installed to fasten it down.

same thing i read - furthermore if i remember what i read correctly normally the front screw was the painted one the rear was unpainted and if you had a 2 tag car the center screw that hits both tags was painted while both outside screws were unpainted

I read the same. In addition, I used to own a 67 Barracuda which still had the original paint under the hood and the front screw was painted while the rear one was not. There was also a visible bend mark on the front/top corner where it was bent upward for painting.

Never heard of any of this before. Guess either I have one painted and the other not, or paint them both. If I leave one unpainted, does anyone know what the unpainted ones finish is? It's not a concours correct car I'm building.

To my knowledge, it was just installed unfinished. My old Barracuda's screw was simply covered with surface rust after 40 years. I would put a clear coat on the screw to prevent the rust but that is all.

JimT1971RR wrote:To my knowledge, it was just installed unfinished. My old Barracuda's screw was simply covered with surface rust after 40 years. I would put a clear coat on the screw to prevent the rust but that is all.

I agree just unfinished natural no phosphate or zinc type coatings

From MMC Detroit Guide to E body fasteners (many applies to B-bodies of same years)...

"Typically the screw closest to the core support is the only one painted body color of the left hand corner of the tag has a crease in it from being bent up to paint under the tag. We have very occasionally found #8 screws in place of #6."

(2) or (3): #6-18 x .37" long. Pan head Phillips drive screws. Zinc finish (prior to paint)