we are about to paint a 65 plymouth signet and the battery tray that was in the car was rusted out but the brackets had a very dark grey/black primer on them. we didn`t strip the car so we don`t know if they were on in body in white before primers or put on after the car was primered but before final paint.
what do others think?
thanx in advance
frank.

It was painted with the rest of the car.

Most of the time the acid has covered up the evidence you seek.

I don't know for sure on a '65, but you'll likely find a green colored banding primer. Just as was used to cover bare metal before installing hood & door hinges, hood to hinges, inner fender ledge where the fender sits, etc.
This primer material was applied before installing the parts, then the body went for it's primer dip bath.

thanks rick-i know the green primer you`re talking about-it just seemed odd the brackets were a darker primer than the other parts we found primer on. we are worried about the amount of color that we can`t get under the tray when we paint it all together like the factory did-will it show the correct color primer like the body or should we primer the battery tray separately in a darker grey like the brackets had on them-that`s why i asked if they were installed later as they could have been installed already primed in a different color than the body primer...have i confused everyone yet...maybe i do need more acid
all the best
frank.

Are you sure it is the original? It may have been replaced some time in its life.

The dip process covered the whole battery tray area, you should not find bare steel.

See http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/imag...neering0010.jpg