I'm painting my firewall, part of the frame, and the control arms this weekend and want to get a good glossy appearance. I'm down to bare metal and need a primer suggestion as well as what paints to use. I presently have 2 spray cans of Mar-hyde single stage self etching primer as well as a can of Emron clear(500s) with one can of activator. I would appreciated knowing if I can use the products I already have with some black base coat, or can someone suggest a good durable system.

Thanks,

Jim

I have a suggestion that may raise some eyebrows..for us garage restorers there is a paint that will fool most people at cruise nights. Krylon has a semi-gloss black that very closely remembles the factory under hood paint. The trick is PREP PREP PREP! Applied over a well prepared surface that is properly primed the finish of this paint is very nice and durable. I recommend gun shooting an epoxy primer, sanding and painting with the Krylon. Before you have a cow on using a "spray" paint on your chevelle, try one piece of the car. If you dont like it you can easily take it back off but I think you may be pleasently surprised!

I met a gentleman with a VERY nice Chevy II and was very impressed with the way the engine compartment was finished. When I asked him about the paint he laughed and told me he had used a krylon paint for this.

I had my 56 chev tore apart at the time and had wanted a not too shiny black for a few pieces under the hood and thought what the heck, I'll try it. I shot it on this part over a good primer and when it dried I was blown away by the finish, mine looked as good as his on this part! I'm a believer now! I wouldn't recommend spray paint for hardly anything, but this works!

As far as high gloss black I prefer not to use it, underhood areas are never flat enough and come off very wavely looking high gloss, but a semi-gloss fits the bill perfect!

Good luck to ya, and give it a shot, you may be VERY pleasently surprised!

Scot

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Numbers matching..Quick..well equipped..YUP! its a wanna-B SS350 but I'm proud of my project and not ashamed of its wanna-b status!

I'll see your eye brow raising suggestion and raise you two...

I used some hi temp semi gloss grill (as in cooking) paint that I got at Ace hardware and it looks very close to correct IMO.

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my 67 droptop (http://www.mdesignstudio.com/chad/other/mychevelle2.jpg)

Woohoo!
Not a bad idea either!

Scot

IMO, spray paint just wont last. It might look ok now, but it wont last. If you are going to go to all the trouble of stripping down an empty engine bay, get yourself some good enamel and spray it on WITH A HARDENER. Get gloss black and add a flatening agent to get the gloss you want. I know it is a hassle, especially if you don't have a compressor and a gun, but it is worth it.

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Jameel Qazi
#'s 67 SS

Thanks for the replies. I've actually used spray paints before under the hood but the gloss becomes dull with time and it doesn't seem to hold up to gas and other fluids should they come into contact with it by accident, even briefly. I have a compressor and a spray gun so I might just go with enamel. Thanks again,

Jim

One good thing about using Krylon Semi Flat is that you CAN get in the Rust Tough line. You can also get Rustoleum 777(?- not sure if thats the number) Semi Flat Black. From what I have seen, it holds up just fine. The other "regular" krylon may be easier to scratch, etc.. BUT it goes on easy and is easier to get into cramped spaces ESPECIALLY if you are just refreshing the engine bay and the engine is still in the car.