What Paint for the Engine Bay???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 924
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
What Paint for the Engine Bay???
I've got my POR15, and I'm just about ready to start the frame painting process. I have the POR15 rust preventative paint, and the top coat paint. I had planned to use the POR15 for the frame only, but it says that the top coat paint can be used for the engine bay as well.
My question is can I brush on the POR15 Chassis Coat (top coat) to the firewall and wheel wells, or would I get better results by using a spray can? What spray paint is best for the engine bay, and what type (gloss, semi-gloss, flat)? Any other tips are appreciated.
Mark
My question is can I brush on the POR15 Chassis Coat (top coat) to the firewall and wheel wells, or would I get better results by using a spray can? What spray paint is best for the engine bay, and what type (gloss, semi-gloss, flat)? Any other tips are appreciated.
Mark
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,146
Likes: 477
From: NM
Re: What Paint for the Engine Bay??? (81vette)
Factory used a semi-gloss black. It came from the cheapest bidder which changed all the time so there is not "standard" color. They were just blacking it out and did not care about the color shade. So different sections of the under hood could be different shades. I personaly like the Krylon semi-gloss black spray cans.
tom...
tom...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 924
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Re: What Paint for the Engine Bay??? (Tom73)
Thanks Tom. What's best for cleaning the firewall, and prepping for the paint? Can I paint the engine bay side of the fiberglass body panels, and if so do I need to primer them first? Sorry for all the questions, but I've got everything out of the car now, and I want to this right the first time. Thanks for your help.
Mark
Mark
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Re: What Paint for the Engine Bay??? (81vette)
I used GM Underhood Semi-Gloss black but Krylon and Eastwood's all have good and similar stuff.
I didn't prime it. I first cleaned out the bay and then used 3m cleaner and wiped everything down real good and cleaned up everything. I then used a spray prepsol twice and wiped it all down good. Preparation is what counts here.
I did it with the eninge in two years ago. Still looks good to me.
I didn't prime it. I first cleaned out the bay and then used 3m cleaner and wiped everything down real good and cleaned up everything. I then used a spray prepsol twice and wiped it all down good. Preparation is what counts here.
I did it with the eninge in two years ago. Still looks good to me.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 924
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Re: What Paint for the Engine Bay??? (78Vette-SA)
Joe,
What did you use to clean the goop off the firewall that the factory used to seal up the gromets? My firewall has a lot of runs in it, and it doesn't scrape off easy. Where is the best place to find the cleaners you mentioned. Paint store, auto parts store, GM? Thaks for your help.
What did you use to clean the goop off the firewall that the factory used to seal up the gromets? My firewall has a lot of runs in it, and it doesn't scrape off easy. Where is the best place to find the cleaners you mentioned. Paint store, auto parts store, GM? Thaks for your help.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 7,032
Likes: 2
From: Newburgh NY
Re: What Paint for the Engine Bay??? (81vette)
Joe,
What did you use to clean the goop off the firewall that the factory used to seal up the gromets? My firewall has a lot of runs in it, and it doesn't scrape off easy. Where is the best place to find the cleaners you mentioned. Paint store, auto parts store, GM? Thaks for your help.
What did you use to clean the goop off the firewall that the factory used to seal up the gromets? My firewall has a lot of runs in it, and it doesn't scrape off easy. Where is the best place to find the cleaners you mentioned. Paint store, auto parts store, GM? Thaks for your help.
Are the runs like tar running down? You would probably be best to use something like a putty knife or gasket scraper to get as much off as you can. I would then try several things such degreasers, adheive or weatherstrip remover, or perhaps even something like Acetone (sp?) or gasoline. I would try different things on a small area and see what happens.
I get the 3m Cleaner (it's in a red can) and prepsol at the local Advance Auto Parts. I used it on everything including the wiring harnesses to clean them up. It works great and dries without a mess.
Other types will work also. If you have a lot of gunk (oil, grease and grime) many recommend a good washing with Simple Green and/or a power washing.
Don't forget to post some before and after pics!!! :D
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 924
Likes: 1
From: Houston Texas
Re: What Paint for the Engine Bay??? (78Vette-SA)
Thanks for the help. Pulled out the AC/heater box last night, and the computer ECM wiring tonight. I have a few more things to do before I paint the engine bay, including the clean-up. I'll take some before and after pics to show you guys where I'm at.
Mark
Mark
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,439
Likes: 1
From: Hagerstown MD
Re: What Paint for the Engine Bay??? (81vette)
I used PPG black satin paint and sprayed it on using an HVLP gun. I'm no expert in painting so the texture came out a little bit rough, but the overall effect is nice. Sorry, no pictures... and besides, it would probably only show up as a black spot on the exposure anyway.
