Quadrajet Paint

[David M.]

I'm replacing an aftermarket Holley carb for a number correct Quadrajet. I was thinking of trying to paint the Quadrajet while I have it apart for the rebuild. I am installing the factory correct ECM hardware also. Any thoughts on painting a Carb other than paint and gas don't mix very well?? Plus I cant easily find a paint source. The source I have seems not to make that color anymore. Reference chapter 5 top of page 131 Judging Guide.

[David M.]

Re: Quadrajet Paint

And by the way - its a 77 L48

[Leif A.]

Re: Quadrajet Paint

David,
Carburetors were never painted. They were colored using zinc and gold chromate solutions. You don't want to paint your carb.

[Mark E.]

Re: Quadrajet Paint

Leif is right; have it refinished. But do your research; many QJets are over restored with too many components plated in gold chromate, like the photo above.

For example, the choke, secondary air door, bowl vent cover, accelerator pump rod and lever, throttle linkage are not typically gold.

[David M.]

Re: Quadrajet Paint

Ill just leave it to the natural finish I reckon. Thanks for your time and advice.

[James G.]

Re: Quadrajet Paint

You can buy the gold/yellow solution from Caswell. It's less than $50 IIRC. I have done a coulple of fuel bowls, MC covers, etc. I let a local friend borrow the 3-4 gal for a month and he recolored his carb, and also yellow dichromated his previously zinc plated MC cover, door glass guides and other random fasteners and brackets.
You can pickle the carb in lye solution then rinse, dip in the dichromate (preheated to 120deg) for 10-20 seconds and viola!
You should probably run some time to color tests with an old carb body prepared the same exact way as your car's carb.
Dip all the way in for 10 seconds rinse, dip 2/3 way for 10 seconds rinse, dip 1/3 way in for 10 seconds.
That way you have a 10-30 second gradient and can tell which you want...
I find Holley's to typically be a less intense gold/yellow = less time submerged.