Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

1947 Custom Super Clipper Eight Limo...

I have the master cylinder out of the car to rebuild it. I want to paint it up nice while it's off. Underneath all the grease and rust there was remnants of black and grey paint. What color was original?

Normally you want to avoid paint on a master cylinder. The brake fluid gets on the outside and eats up the paint and it looks terrible. For a show car you could paint it if that was original and use silicone fluid (which has its pros and cons). Silicone brake fluid does not remove paint.

My Packard has a cast iron master cylinder and the oil blowby from the breather vent tube and brake fluid that gets on it keeps it from rusting. Very original I am sure. If yours had paint on it that may have come from a repaint.

Everyone that I have seen has been natural cast. If you wanted to paint it, you could use some of that Eastwood "Fresh Cast" paint to maintain the appearance.

Thanks fellas.