We're looking at cleaning up under the hood on my wife's 70 SS this winter. Any hints/tips on doing that?

Should the bottom of the hood be black or car-color to be "proper"? I see both at the car shows. I'm thinking black would be easier for us, since otherwise we'd have to try to match the car color (it's the Cranberry Red, but we didn't actually have it painted -- previous owner did -- so I don't know the specifics of what was used exactly).

What about the engine compartment itself? Black or car-color? Wheel-wells and everything? Any recommendations on painting in there?

We hope to have the engine out during this time -- so it should be a good opportunity to really get to everything.

One last thing -- anyone had experience with winter painting? When we do this, the car will be in an attached, but unheated garage here in Michigan. It doesn't get below freezing in there -- but it can get pretty cold, of course. 40F and maybe even dips below that. Can we safely do our own painting in there in those kinds of temps?

Thanks, all!

- John...

I used a black scotch pad wheel in my die grinder and cleaned the underside of the hood completely, then primed with 2k epoxy primer (DPLF)

http://users.ev1.net/~jaaustin/chevelle/hood_stripped_bot.jpg

http://users.ev1.net/~jaaustin/chevelle/hood_primed_bot.jpg

I have since shot it with a BC/CC of Cortez Silver and it looks great.
BTW, you may want to switch out those yellow turn lenses with clear and install the yellow bulbs....... ;) I would also paint the grill black and the grill trim, orange.

From what I have heard, you are not supposed to paint in temps under 60 degrees. Originally the color under the hood and the inner fenders were semi flat or low gloss black as well as the fire wall on 70-72 cars.

Hope this helps.

I painted my firewall too !!
http://users.ev1.net/~jaaustin/chevelle/firewall_cortez.jpg

I painted mine three!
http://kosoca.net/beaumont/beaumont_3.jpg

If you want to be "correct", the underside of the hood should be a semi-glass, almost satin black. The metal that wraps around from the top of the hood and is pinch welded to the hood "skeleton" should be car color. The firewall, inner fenders, and top of the cowl are all the black. The factory painted the sides of the cowl car color, with slight overspray on top of the cowl close to where the cowl sides are attched to the cowl top. Hope all this makes sense.

I have been considering doing mine a different way though. As I look at the car, it just seems like it would look good of the sides and top of the cowl were painted car color since they are connected, and there is no real dividing line. It is going to be up to you whether you want "correct", or what you think looks good.

Originally posted by Texas70:
I used a black scotch pad wheel in my die grinder and cleaned the underside of the hood completely, then primed with 2k epoxy primer (DPLF)And the other side was already painted, yes? I spoke with a local that used very light beadblasting to remove the paint from the underside of his hood. After he was done, he realized that there were tiny "dents" in the top of the hood from the beading. So, I have some fear because of him on doing anything to the bottom of the hood... I would guess a scotch pad should be safe though. smile.gif

BTW, you may want to switch out those yellow turn lenses with clear and install the yellow bulbs....... ;) I would also paint the grill black and the grill trim, orange.Ah -- yes -- I really need to get some new pictures up! smile.gif The lenses were corrected many months ago. The grill we painted all black. We might do the center bar car color, but my wife likes it better black, she things. We've found at least one from-the-factory car where the bar was not painted car color as was commonly done, so we don't feel too bad leaving it black.

Thanks for the notes though! Luckily, we've done those ones. I'll replace the photos soon -- since that has happened a few times now. :D

- John...

John,

Just to add a little more info;

Painting in the cold is not a good idea. The paint will not lay well - you need to get the metal above 65. I did both my cars in my garage in the winter. I have an over head electric heater that I turn on the night before. Also that day I place a portable forced air heater near the surfaces to paint. This warms things up well for the paint to adhere well and lay nicely.

For correct colors check out my web page, lots of pics there. Also I used Eastwoods products, excellent products - main colors used

Underhood Black
Chassis Black
Caliper Coating - great for the hood hinges, hood latch, front end pieces - very durable.

Before taking things apart - have the engine compartment washed well. I used Simple Green and a power washer on a low setting. This helps remove a lot of dirt and grime before you begin.

Hope all helps, lots of luck and have fun.

Rich