Engine Compartment Detailing

Begining to detail engine compartment. Any advise as to " Black" paint to use - Flat/gloss? Mfg?
Thanks
Big Al 72 350 Auto

Big Al, I detailed mine with flat black. Big mistake, it really looked awful! I re-detailed using semigloss black and it looks great. Do it once...john

I agree! Use semi-gloss. I am currently doing mine and it will look great when finished.

I recently finished mine and used Rustoleum semi-gloss patio furniture paint from Wal-Mart for $4.00 a can and it looks great. Lot less $ than the $8 - $10 stuff u get from the Vette suppliers & I can't tell the difference in the finished look. Also don't have to order it and pay shipping and if you need more it is just round the corner at the hardware store or Wal-Mart I have used prob 8 - 10 cans so u do the math on the savings.

According to the sources I have, the firewall, underside of the hood and inner wheel wells (engine side) of 1972 Vettes were painted semi-gloss black. I will be detailing my engine compartment this spring and will use Rustoleum.

You may want to consider "Satin Black" paint. I'm not sure that semi-gloss is the correct color. Satin is a texture between flat and semi-gloss. I know on other Chevys, semi-gloss is not the correct color for detailing the engine compartment.

SStanford is correct, Mostly everything under the hood should be painted satin or semi flat black, not semi gloss.

The only things that should be painted Gloss black (not semi) are Air cleaner base, coil, power brake booster, radiator, steel fan shrouds, TI amplifier box and voltage regulator cover. Everything else that should be black is painted satin or semi-flat black.

Good Luck, I need to redo my engine compartment also, not looking forward to it.

I forgot to mention that if you paint removed bolts, prior to re-installing be sure to let the paint cure good so as not to knock it off when tightening. I let mine dry at least 2 weeks @ 70 degrees or above and they were fine. If you do scuff them it is pretty easy to touch them up. If you replace any bolts or screws don't buy the zinc plated ones as the paint won't stick worth a darn. Use bare black ones. They are harder to find but worth the effort. If you are not worried about the correct headstamp, Caterpillar carries some of the best bare black bolts money can buy and are reasonably priced.

I just finished detailing my engine bay yesterday, using semi flat black. I accidentally grabbed the wrong can and painted the frame cross member semi gloss…looked terrible, guess it’s just a personal preference thou.

Fruits of my labor are at www.rgkg.com

Rick

or maybe here: http://www.rgkg.com
or here: http://www.rgkg.com/73_corvette_roadster.htm