astrotone and argent

[tparker]

The Challenger RT Tail panel thread talks about the trim being painted Astrotone on the SE models. What exactly is Astrotone. A color? Or is it texture? What about Argent and Organosol?

Thanks
Tom

[1 Wild R/T]

Astrotone is often referred to as textured argent.... There are varying shades from a light silver to a fairly dark gray.... It has a heavy almost sandpaper like texture....  Pictured below...

Argent is a fancy name for silver...

Organisol is a textured satin black that sometimes seems to have a slight hint of metallic in it...  If you want to know more about Organisol talk to the man in the second photo...

[headejm]

A couple of more photos. 1970 SE trim panel and rallye wheel center cap.

[Ed]

Who is guy in second photo.  I need to paint my se  tail panel organasol.  oct 69 build challenger   its a textured black .

[750-h2]

Those SE rear panels never came from the factory painted black.

[mccannix]

Who is guy in second photo.

He is the guy who processes our clearance so we can join this forum

[1 Wild R/T]

Those SE rear panels never came from the factory painted black.

Clearly not true....

Who is guy in second photo.

The man who developed & owns this website....   Cuda Cody

[bc3j]

My LA Jan 1970 build. Occasionally at local shows I see black panels on Challengers.

[70/6chall]

These are pics of my restored rear SE finish panel. Since this has been done for awhile, and I have owned this piece for many years now, the Astrotone color was matched to the original color. Thanks,   Al

[750-h2]

Those SE rear panels never came from the factory painted black.

Clearly not true....

Who is guy in second photo.

1 Wild RT, very interesting!  Do you have any more info on the production line black 1970 SE rear panels?  I know there were a few pre production cars with the black ones.

[1 Wild R/T]

Those SE rear panels never came from the factory painted black.

Clearly not true....

Who is guy in second photo.

1 Wild RT, very interesting!  Do you have any more info on the production line black 1970 SE rear panels?  I know there were a few pre production cars with the black ones.

When I first came to the internet way back in 02  One of the first discussions I joined was about astrotone vs black tail panels.. And since then I've joined quite a few more... Many insist the panels were always astrotone because in the parts catalog there is only one part number & it is for the Astrotone part.... But I've seen posts from far to many long time & original owner R/T SE's  that had a black tail panel, plus the fact I was a long time owner & my uncle was an original owner of R/T SE's with black tail panels... Many have said someone painted it but to many original owners have said absolutely not.. The absolute final thing that locked it up for me was seeing the photos the posted by Ed... When I post my photos later today after I get to my shop you'll see the texture is IMO a dead giveaway, It's sort of a mixture of Astrotone & Organisol...  Not something that would be sprayed by multiple people randomly...  Oh, as far as preproduction, my cars SPD is 723, one of the last cars off the line....

Pictures I'm posting now are Ed's... I'll post my photos in a couple hours.. I will make a point of getting them today....

[750-h2]

Good info! I guess with Mopar this is just another case of "Never Say Never" when it comes to odd ball stuff. Having said that I would never restore an SE and paint this panel black unless I had 100% documented proof of it leaving the factory that way. Even then I would be tempted to paint it argent just to avoid the controversy. Case in point my V code Challenger C09 build date came with an aluminum intake manifold from the factory. I know it is correct as I have known the car since new [but that is not considered 100% documented proof]. When I restored the car I chose to install a date code correct cast iron intake just to avoid the naysayers.   I did however keep the aluminum intake and will not be selling it as I know it is correct for my car. 

[1 Wild R/T]

Good info! I guess with Mopar this is just another case of "Never Say Never" when it comes to odd ball stuff. Having said that I would never restore an SE and paint this panel black unless I had 100% documented proof of it leaving the factory that way. Even then I would be tempted to paint it argent just to avoid the controversy.

I've done these cars to long to have someone late to the game tell me whats correct... I don't like seeing history lost or re-written... Be it world/political history or car history....  If that causes controversy so be it.... 

As far as your Challenger yours certainly isn't the first E body I've heard of with a Edelbrock intake....

[1 Wild R/T]

Those SE rear panels never came from the factory painted black.

Clearly not true....

Who is guy in second photo.

1 Wild RT, very interesting!  Do you have any more info on the production line black 1970 SE rear panels?  I know there were a few pre production cars with the black ones.

When I first came to the internet way back in 02  One of the first discussions I joined was about astrotone vs black tail panels.. And since then I've joined quite a few more... Many insist the panels were always astrotone because in the parts catalog there is only one part number & it is for the Astrotone part.... But I've seen posts from far to many long time & original owner R/T SE's  that had a black tail panel, plus the fact I was a long time owner & my uncle was an original owner of R/T SE's with black tail panels... Many have said someone painted it but to many original owners have said absolutely not.. The absolute final thing that locked it up for me was seeing the photos the posted by Ed... When I post my photos later today after I get to my shop you'll see the texture is IMO a dead giveaway, It's sort of a mixture of Astrotone & Organisol...  Not something that would be sprayed by multiple people randomly...  Oh, as far as preproduction, my cars SPD is 723, one of the last cars off the line....

Pictures I'm posting now are Ed's... I'll post my photos in a couple hours.. I will make a point of getting them today....

Ok, bringing this back up.... Ed's photo' first.... Then mine..

[tparker]

My Challenger is/was a Western Sport Special, which means it has the trim package. My Rear Finish Panel is black. I can't say for sure that it was not painted, but I wouldn't think it was. However, the wheels are black and apparently that is NOT and option, so someone probably painted them after the fact.

Anyways, If I was to repaint it black, what would be recommended? SEM Trim Paint? Does Astrotone come that dark?