Shock color

What's the correct color for the shocks on my '62 DJ3A? Gloss black?

 

I hope not!
Not sure, but I would think semi-gloss(satin) black

 

I would think the same color as the frame...

FWIW, the ones on my 3A are gloss blue (Monroes).

 

Black from the factory. Not glossy.

 

Yeah, I think I recall seeing blue shocks on some Jeeps. Mine (from Auto Zone) are red, and on a green Jeep that's definitely gonna stand out.

Thanks, Tim. So semi-flat (satin) black should be correct?

 

Thats what I've always used on every vehicle I have owned and it has always matched perfectly

 

Some of the replacement shocks off the dealer shelf may have been primer grey - I vaguely recall that. That would be the archetypical gray-green primer used on raw body parts. I expect the supplier just painted them with black body primer, like the black epoxy primer sold today. Same with valve covers and other stamped metal parts.

Regarding flatness, I understand that gloss enamel or urethane is actually tougher than the flatted equivalent. For these paints, they add a flattening agent which is something like a silica dust. The additive makes the surface softer and more prone to scratching. Maybe the primers (like black epoxy primer) just naturally have the satin appearance - I expect they would not add a flattening agent to primer, since it's not meant to be seen anyway.

 

Interesting. So plain, heavy-duty black primer could be plausibly correct, and gloss black may hold up better than flat black paint?

 

I think you may be over thinking this.
I guarantee you will not like the look of either flat black or gloss black.
Just go to your local store and get some Krylon Rust Tough satin black and hit it.
I promise.

 

Ooops - sorry, I meant semi-flat, aka "satin". How is the "rust tough" stuff different from standard grade Krylon?

 

It's just what's on the shelf at our local auto parts stores.
Probably nothing but hype. All I care about is if it matches that factory look, which it does perfectly.
The non-Rust-Tough looks just the same and I've used them interchangably

 

Ah, I see. Thanks! I may have time to sand one of them down and paint it this afternoon.

 

I did get time to sand one down and prime/paint it this afternoon, and it looks nice. They're even pretty close in shape to the shocks that are currently on the front axle, which I assume may be the original shocks. Thanks, everyone!