Engine Bay Paint

I recommend SEM Trim Black. It has been around forever and should still be available. It is still available in CA. Not sure about Canada.

It is lacquer based and easy to touch up.

Will,

As you have probably surmised, as far as painted finishes go, gloss is easiest to wipe down but most difficult shows scratches and flaws the most. Completely flat actually shows scuffs a bit more easily than satin, so satin is a nice compromise.

I’d suggest you just add little flattener to automotive paint of your choice. It worked well to produce a satin finish and it has worn well on my car. I saved the paint and if ever needed, I’ll just catalyze a small amount and use my small touch up gun. Some paint shops will load an aerosol can for you for touch up.

I’ve many heard many speak highly of the truck bed coatings for durability and ease of maintenance but I didn’t want to go that way.

Best,
Kelly

I did some testing yesterday with truck bed coating. The stuff I tried was way too bumpy. Satin is definitely the shade Im looking for

quote:

Originally posted by 4NHOTROD: I did some testing yesterday with truck bed coating. The stuff I tried was way too bumpy. Satin is definitely the shade Im looking for

I never seriously looked into it but the rock/chip guard mixtures that were sprayed on rockers and behind the wheels of productions cars can be done in color/finish and texture of choice. I believe they were some sort of high build urethane that was high durometer thus chip resistant. Not sure how well they may handle heat. Resistance to petroleum base solvents is certainly a consideration.

Is the engine and transaxle coming out in the near future Will? What-ya up to?

Best,
K

quote:

Originally posted by Panterror:

quote:

Originally posted by 4NHOTROD: I did some testing yesterday with truck bed coating. The stuff I tried was way too bumpy. Satin is definitely the shade Im looking for

I never seriously looked into it but the rock/chip guard mixtures that were sprayed on rockers and behind the wheels of productions cars can be done in color/finish and texture of choice. I believe they were some sort of high build urethane that was high durometer thus chip resistant. Not sure how well they may handle heat. Resistance to petroleum base solvents is certainly a consideration.

Is the engine and transaxle coming out in the near future Will? What-ya up to?

Best,
K

The car is in the body shop now being repaired from a small back side bump. Need to respray rear of engine bay.
No plans for any upgrades. What else is there, except for forced induction ($$) ?
Will

Last time I was down in Castle Rock many of the Panteras that Quella had restored had the truck liner sprayed in the engine compartment. I think Dennis said it was the “Speedliner” brand but I am not sure. It was not as bumpy or rough looking as some of the spray-in bed liners that I have seen. It also was available in any color.

It looked good but seemed a little to “industrial” or “race carish” for my personal taste - just my opinion. I understand the philosophy in using it but I really like the look of a super smooth and finished out engine compartment.

Maybe after I scratch mine a few more times I will change my mind, especially with how much time and energy it took to make mine look like it does.

Will,

I agree with Kelly about the satin finish and adding a flattener.

On my Mustang SVO I used Dupont Chroma One with a flattener. Turned out pretty nice.

There are some areas of the country that you cannot get lacquer based paint systems anymore, or they are harder to get. Just a thought.

Will,

Mark C also told me about the SEM Trim Black that Dave 2811 is recommending. It's available here even in rattle cans. I did my bumper and other bits here and there. It would be great for an engine bay. Easy to clean (if you're so inclined) and even easier to touch up.

I recently did the entire engine compartment on my BOSS 302 With SEM Trim Black and it came out real nice actually duplicates the original look perfectly ... I went to bear metal and used red oxide primer.

Ron

Ron, did you weld up the original holes?

I went the truck bed liner route and don't regret it. It's beautiful, durable, easy to clean, and approximates the original look but has a bit of a shine to it that makes the engine compartment pop.



I used the POR-15 truck bed liner kit and sprayed it on at 100 psi to get more of a fine pebbled finish rather than a thick bumpy finish like some bed liners I've seen. I saw another Pantera at last years Concorso that used the POR-15 kit, but the bed liner was rolled on with a foam roller rather than sprayed, and it was smoother than mine - almost like 120 grit sandpaper when it came to how "bumpy" it was.

Just food for thought!

That looks real nice Garth! And I bet the rolled version must be even nicer. But what do you do after a long dusty road trip when you have to lift your deck at a show in a couple of hours. How do you make it look like that again?

I found that dirt tends to stick between all those bumps. You almost need a pressure washer to clean it. Whereas with smooth paint, a quick California dusting and some detail spray with a rag and it looks like new in seconds.

quote:

Ron, did you weld up the original holes?

Will the BOSS 302? I'm restoring the car to original.

Ron

quote:

But what do you do after a long dusty road trip when you have to lift your deck at a show in a couple of hours. How do you make it look like that again?

To be honest, I don't know yet. The engine will hopefully go back in a few weeks after the Fun Rally in Phoenix. I suspect the Cal Duster would do the trick as the texture is very minimal. Or, a quick wipe down with a wet cloth would do it. Others have told me they wipe theirs down without any difficulty.

At the very least, whatever I do, it will be easier to clean than the original petroleum-based undercoating that was nothing but a dust magnet!

We'll see!

quote:

Originally posted by accobra:

quote:

Ron, did you weld up the original holes?

Will the BOSS 302? I'm restoring the car to original.

Ron

Ah yes, you said that in your original post
Will