I'm 17 and own a L82 E77 corvette. I've recently decided to take my hood off and fix the horrible work that the previous owner did. He put in a hood scoop and seemed drunk when he cut the hole on the underside. I want to fix this, and thought, I might as well paint the engine compartment and some components. I was wondering what colour I should be using and maybe a brand or type that is adhesive and won't crack or peel? Also on a side note how to fix a crack on the fiberglass wheel well where the arm seal is?

 

The blackout paint used for the engine compartment surfaces is best matched with a 'satin' black or 'semi-flat' black paint. My present choice for a good quality paint with satin (or semi-flat) sheen is John Deere 'Blitz' black paint. SEM also makes a similar paint that they call "trim black".

It is interesting that Krylon USED TO BE one of the better choices for a satin black paint. However, my recent purchase of Krylon satin black has proven to be a BIG disappointment to me. The first can I tried turned out to have a semi-gloss black sheen: too shiny for engine compartment surfaces. So, I bought another. Same thing.

I actually sent an e-mail to Krylon expressing my displeasure and the problems it caused me from a poor match with their prior Krylon satin black paint. They sent me two replacement cans of paint. THEY ALSO WERE SEMI-GLOSS BLACK PAINT with "satin" black labels. It seems that Krylon no longer sells semi-gloss black paint...so they put semi-gloss in cans labeled as "satin" black paint. Just trying to let CF users know what has changed with Krylon.

In general, engine compartment surfaces are satin black. Engine compartment "components" (air cleaner housing, starter, A/C compressor, brake master cylinders that were painted, etc) are semi-gloss black.

Others that are more proficient at painting can give advice on how to BEST do that job. But, getting surfaces clean...and then FREE of any volatile cleaners before priming/painting....are critical issues for assuring long term success.

 

Krylon sells through either retail or industrial channels. The old version is sold through industrial distribution only and has the right sheen.

 

Anyone ever heard of trying to use 'lawn mower deck' paint? I recall hearing somewhere that it was designed to be durable and have 'anti-stick' properties to help aid the grass from bunching up in the deck...

Forget where I heard this , or why... But it's always been on my mind to test these theories... I'm pretty sure it would come in a black color, but I have no idea who would be the best to buy it from... Or what it would actually look like in the end.. Be it gloss , semi gloss, or satin finish...

 

>>My present choice for a good quality paint with satin (or semi-flat) sheen is John Deere 'Blitz' black paint.

I restore and collect antique John Deere garden lawn & equipment and I've been using their Blitz black and also their black semi-gloss paint for a long time on anything that came from the factory with a black satin finish. It's very forgiving paint and makes you feel like a whiz. The JD med gloss black is perfect if you want a little more shine to make the paint easier to keep clean, but unless you do a lot of prep work it's a tad too bright for under the hood areas. I'd use the Blitz paint for that. I've done a bunch of tractor frames and other components with both paints over the years though and they have not disappointed me.

I'm told JD paint is actually made by Valspar so the equivalent to Blitz and med gloss black should be available even if there are no JD dealers nearby.

 

I'm glad to hear about the Krylon dilemma. I'll try to find a John Deer dealer to round up some of the "Blitz" paint.

 

They stock it on their store shelves. It's about $10 for a big can of it, and it's good quality paint.

 

I just found some online for $8.39 a can. Thanks for the tip 7T1vette.

 

Thanks guys for all the replies. I think I will go with the semi-flat John Deer Biltz. Do you know any retail stores that sell it? Also and thoughts about a crack in fibreglass on the wheel wheel? Also how to fix holes in fibreglass? Much appreciated!!

 

I use Duplicolor engine paint in low gloss black .$6.97 at your local auto store.

 

Shipping for the JD paint off the internet is crazy expensive. Two cans of paint at $8.39 each was going to be over $13 just for shipping.

It is a Valspar paint, so you might be able to find it at a home improvement store. Lowe's carries Valspar for sure. Home Depot might also. I'm sure there are others.

 

Rustolem Satin #777 is my Preferred spray bomb.
can be bought anywhere... Lowes/ Home Depot.
and no shipping cost.

 

Here's an engine & bay on a little 212 JD I did with Blitz black. It's posted on my personal website: http://gofastgarage.com/212_1.htm. Click on the top right pic to see it close up.

If you look at the JD 400 I did a makeover on using the med gloss black you'll see the difference in the shine between the two http://gofastgarage.com/400resto_big_21.htm. Med gloss is a little trickier to shoot and too shiny perhaps for a Corvette engine bay but excellent for various other parts on the car. The 'resto 20-29' pic links listed on the right side of the page are mostly the frame and engine etc painted med black.

 

Hey Jr., why don't you try posting on the Paint and Body forum? Look for it under Forums/General Corvette. It crosses all generations of cars so more experts will be there to help you.

Pete

 

That's good advice but the problem I see with different forums for different topics is it means I have to get off my lazy butt and find the one that's relevant. If I were rich I'd pay somebody to do searches and click links for me

 

In the wheel well, or on top of the fender?

If in the wheel well - http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...rd=body+filler

If on top of the fender, is it a stress crack in the fiberglass, or cracked paint? How deep is the crack? A picture might help.

 

Yes, it is in the wheel well. I'll try some stuff like that. Thanks for the help. Maybe I'll move this to the paint forum. All the help is awesome! I've got a good idea what I'm looking for.

 

That sounds like my uncle....................Bubba!

It's good to hear that you want to take care of the car!

 

I am a Parts Lead at Deere dealership and the semi gloss worked well under the hood, the paint settles so well I rolled it on and it looked like it was sprayed on, it also matched well on the ashtray lid put that on with a foam brush and textured with a sponge. Blitz black is popular with rat rodder's. That primer look with a durable finish. It is made by Valspar.

 

C3 factory 'blackout' areas (engine compartment, wheelwells, etc.) were all done in a satin or semi-flat black paint. Engine accessories/brackets and frame were semi-gloss. Other trim areas like rocker panel stripe, door sills, gauge cluster, etc. were also satin or semi-flat black.

There was no 'gloss' black put on any C3, to my knowledge.