MTFCA Forum

Hello All, I am restoring my Model T 1914 headlights. Would anyone know the shade of back paint I should be painting the inside of the headlight housing (glossy black, satin black, flat back, jet black) ?? Bob

I am not the authority on the subject, but after looking at a couple of original unmolested brass lamps, the paint looks like a flat black to me. This makes sense to me as I assume they wanted to minimize internal reflections in the lamp. Of course, I could also be looking at oxidized paint after lo these many years. I too am interested in knowing the precise answer to your question.

I can’t imagine that they were originally painted differently inside than the outside.

I agree with Les. Mine were restored 20+ years ago same paint inside and out. The reflecting mirror focuses the light beam, any gloss from the inside of the bucket doesn't affect that.

Most black lamps I have seen were the same paint inside and out. They may well have dipped them in gloss black paint. Quick and easy.
That's my theory.
Rich

This lamp has its original paint and even a run I believe was from the dipping process. It looks like it was glossy to me.

Rich

I don't doubt you for a second. Other than unpainted primer in small select spots that were covered with wood, I have never seen any evidence for anything other than what could be described as "glossy paint" on any single part of a T. Black or otherwise.

I'm sure many manufacturers besides Ford availed themselves of the same paint. I wonder who made it ??

The "any color so long as it's black" legend is misunderstood. The economy of "gilsonite" black and its durability dictated black pigment, because the varnish made by "cooking" gilsonite in drying oils was too dark to allow for pigments other than carbon black to literally show their colors. Gilsonite is a fossil resin akin to asphalt but much harder.