C3 Engine Compartment Color

[Jay L. Flinders]

While I'm asking questions. Here is another one. On page 68 of the Judging Guide (yes thanks to all of your proding I purchased one). It states that the "Color should be uniform semi-gloss black. Red oxide primer or body color may be visible in areas. Check underside of hood, inner fenders, firewall for color and finish. The vertical portion of the firewall is painted with blackout...". My question is What is "blackout"? Jay

[Dick W.]

Re: C3 Engine Compartment Color

Blackout is a semi gloss finish. GM sold a good paint for years as GM Reconditioning Paint. I think that it is available for some vendors today. Many people will use John Deere Blitz Black, Krylon, SEM, or one of the many other variations of a semi gloss finish

[Jay L. Flinders]

Re: C3 Engine Compartment Color

If blackout is semi-gloss? Why do they specifically start off with stating semi-gloss then specificaly state blackout for the verticle portion of the firewall and it goes on to say "as is the firewall area around the brake cylinder or booster" if there is no difference? It would appear to me that all of the engine compartment except that mentioned above would be semi-gloss and blackout is some other color.

[Terry M.]

[Jay L. Flinders]

Re: C3 Engine Compartment Color

Thanks guys. I guess I'm to technical. I wrote technical manuals for the government and it was a no no to do as you suggest black was black and gray was gray. Again thanks very much.

Jay

[Dick W.]

Re: C3 Engine Compartment Color

You must be the one that wrote the engine manuals for the M35A2 that I had. More than you ever wanted or needed to know.

[Patrick H.]

Re: C3 Engine Compartment Color

We're into semantics here, but I've always thought it looked more "eggshell" sheen than semi-gloss. My friend used semi-gloss black (Krylon or Rustoleum) on his 60's engine compartment and in my opinion it looks just too glossy. Usually it's the "semi flat" version of Krylon that people reference.

Eastwood makes an engine compartment black out paint that I think is right on.
See link below.

Patrick

http://www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=114&itemType=PRODUCT

[Chuck S.]

I Agree...

Most components that the 70-72 TIM&JG describes as semi-gloss, I would probably describe as semi-flat or satin. Eggshell and satin are probably close to interchangeable; eggshell implies a specific level of gloss used by auto paint companies; satin is very close and used by rattle can paint companies.

If for the "black-out" process GM used that thin black primer (PN 1050104) that they used for everything, and bought by the railroad tank car, for I would say it's closer to a satin black.

[Thomas O.]

Re: C3 Engine Compartment Color

Jay I have a 73 and have read these same statements as you refer to. I have been wondering also what is the difference? One is near parnoia allready as one may make a mistake. Thanks for the inquiry and the answers. whew!! tom