Re: Engine Bay detailing on a '56 dual carb car

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2012/7/25 12:05:10

For most underhood accessories I just use Cook & Dunn or Krylon rattle cans in semi-gloss black from the local hardware store. I prefer Krylon as they seem to use a better nozzle. If there are no internals to be concerned about, I use a paste paint stripper to remove the old paint, give it a good water wash, then a solvent wash with mineral spirts, followed optionally by a quick swap with dilute phosphoric acid (you could also use an etching primer); otherwise spray primer again in a rattle can from the hardware store, followed by the finish paint coat(s).

When doing something like an air cleaner or oil filler cap which may have internal parts like copper mesh or kapok that might be harmed by paint stripper, I either sparingly use lacquer thinner to remove the old paint, and/or a powered wire brush. Be careful not to get abrasives or chemicals into internal parts, solvent sloshing might be a good preventative.

I'll bet you get lots of opinions on this, powder coating is also an option.

PS - if you have an oil bath air cleaner, be sure to use kerosene to clean it and not gasoline which may harm the paint surface. Powder coating is a really good choice for oil bath oil cleaners and oil filler caps as this potential problem is circumvented.