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I don't know how well it would hold up in that location but in protected areas I wirebrush and then coat the screws with clear matte finish acrylic spray. That has somewhat of a sheen but not terrible and doesn't stand out like ordinary paint would. Maybe some of the spray on zinc phosphate coatings would work in exposed areas.

JW, thanks for getting all the photos and information.

But from the factory, they must have been plated- zinc perhaps? Any clear coating would be compromised by the contact with the wrench or socket used to tighten.

They were originally plated with something but not sure what. Maybe a duller galvanizing than is typically seen with screws today or maybe even some kind of oxide like todays black oxide screws you can buy. The few photos you can see in some of the training manuals don't appear to have a lot of shine on the screws.

There used to be a place here that would do screws and small pieces by the bucket -- IIRC, it was cad plating. I gathered all I had laying around and had a bunch done. While they turned out well plated and I have some left and unused but still in good condition today, they came back too bright and silvery for my thinking. That is why I started using the acrylic for the duller wirebrush look. If the clear will hold up you could always mask a little and respray the bolt heads after they are on and tightened.

How about studs and nuts used in electrical connections? I cleaned up and painted my generator, but now the studs and nuts for the wire connections are rusting. Would you just connect the wire and then clear over it?

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You could do the clear or get some dielectric or silicone grease and use a rag to apply a very light coat on the threads and nut after the wire is connected. That way if you have to remove things there would be no buildup of paint material that might cause problems later. Downside to the grease is it might attract dirt but shouldn't be too much of a problem if the application is light.

Howard, you are welcome. Sorry that I forgot about the cowl vent mechanism.

Stainless steel works well for most applications. Brighter than what originally was fitted, but less than chrome plated. These SS fasteners dress up an engine and compartment without being too flashy.

(o{}o)

I used Eastwood's Cadium paint to respray all the fasteners that I reused. Here is picture showing what they look like afterward.

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Kev, that looks great. Eastwood it is!

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It takes a bit of digging,but the answer can be found in the parts book.

Packard calls the shroud a splasher and it is listed under Group 30.87498 in the 1948-54 parts list. The fasteners are also listed in this parts group, in this case the screws for all 22nd & 23rd Series are part # 394575.

The index at the back of the parts book for # 394575 shows other parts groups where this screw is used and also a Utility Parts Group number 50.003

The Utility section of the parts list is now available on this site and by looking through Group 50.003 for hex head machine screws the description for # 394575 is found as 1/4-20 x 1/2 w/washer, cad

The description translates as a hex head machine screw, size 1/4" with 20 threads per inch, length 1/2" with an integral washer and cadmium plated.

So cadmium plating or a finish such as the Eastwood cadmium paint would be appropriate for these fasteners.