As I’ve been rebuilding my console, I’ve tried to find a color and sheen match for the painted rear lens on a 4-speed - for whatever reason it was painted grey, not black. After visiting hobby shops and various other spray paint outlets, I think I have the closest match with the SEM 15303 Graphite color. Here is my original lens with a sample piece of plastic I shot with the SEM. If anyone has found anything else they have used successfully, post it up. My search for this color match didn’t turn up anything.

 

Not sure what was OEM. This lense could have been painted several times since 1970.
I've had good success with "chrome in a can".Once it ages a bit it's really close. Did you look at Argent gray? It may be too dark.

I've applied "chrome in a can" on the SS2 wheel centers, 68 Headlight buckets and grill lower edge, trunk lip chrome and other parts that exhibited this look from OEM. My 68 was a real nice time capsule before it was restored way back in 1990. Not a whole lot of resto stuff on the market at that point as it was just taking off. So I had to wing it on several parts. Look at Eastwood, many OEM look paints there.

 

I just used a spray chrome finish from Krylon on the top side of this console and I'm happy with the look compared to the factory chrome on the plastic edges around the wood grain decal. For this lens, for sure there's only one layer of paint on it, and the pattern of masking looks "factory", if you will. And you can see there was no chrome edge underneath, like I've seen on the lighted console lenses. I checked Eastwood, since they have a location near me. While I've found close matches in color, they have either been high gloss or flat finishes, and I wanted to match the low sheen of what I had. This is certainly one of those parts that could have come from anywhere and have been painted with anything, I'm sure...

 

Mine appears to be flat black, and does appear original.

Pat

 

I have heard some were black but all of them I have seen were the graphite color like you found. Looks good to me, I would run with it.

 

I’m happy with the outcome (even though no one will ever, ever see it hahaha)!

The very bottom strip of the lens is the original grey that I had.

 

Going by memory it looks exactly right

 

So I have a question...How the hell does any light get through either of the pics above? I would assume either the high or low spots get a finish or all translucent? I'm a 68-69 guy.

Quote from Fusick Catalog<1970-72 Rear Console Courtesy Light Lens: Translucent lens mounts in the rear of the console for all 1970-72 models equipped with a center console. CL7072R Console Courtesy Lens 1970-72 all>

 

Theres no functional light in 70-72 4 speed consoles. The harness and light bulb that are in automatic consoles is deleted.

 

Terry, Thanks for the schooling. A little tidbit I never knew till now.
Steve