Need help with Silver Paint on '63 L84...

[Michael G.]

I'm painting the gap between the valve covers and base plate, as well as the thermostat housing on my L84. I'm having trouble finding a silver paint that is close to the hue of the valve covers, base plate and plenum, all of which match each other faily well. All are their original, cleaned, but aged finish. All the paints I've tried are a "whiter" silver than the components, which seem to be more grey/silver.

Was the factory's siver paint identical to the factory color those components? If not, what paint is the proper color?

Thanks, Mike

[Michael H.]

Re: Need help with Silver Paint on '63 L84...

I'm painting the gap between the valve covers and base plate, as well as the thermostat housing on my L84. I'm having trouble finding a silver paint that is close to the hue of the valve covers, base plate and plenum, all of which match each other faily well. All are their original, cleaned, but aged finish. All the paints I've tried are a "whiter" silver than the components, which seem to be more grey/silver.

Was the factory's siver paint identical to the factory color those components? If not, what paint is the proper color?

Thanks, Mike

Mike,

I've always used "Dull Aluminum" made by, I believe, Krylon. It seems to be an excellent match for what was used originally.
Everything else I've seen seems to be too brite, looks cheap.

Hope it's still available. It's been many years since I've used/purchased it.

[Michael G.]

Re: Need help with Silver Paint on '63 L84...

That's one I haven't tried. I looked up "Dull Aluminum" on the Krylon web site; it looks like they still make it. Its not listed as "high temp", but if you've used it with success, its worth a try. I'll order some.

Thanks, Mike

[Jeff S.]

Re: Need help with Silver Paint on '63 L84...

That's one I haven't tried. I looked up "Dull Aluminum" on the Krylon web site; it looks like they still make it. Its not listed as "high temp", but if you've used it with success, its worth a try. I'll order some.

Thanks, Mike

Mike

Dull Aluminum is Krylon Metallics #1403 ... I'm not sure if it is still made, sold or formulated the same, as my can is several years old. It is a well-behaved coating and works well for your application.

[Dan H.]

Re: Need help with Silver Paint on '63 L84...

Mike

Dull Aluminum is Krylon Metallics #1403 ... I'm not sure if it is still made, sold or formulated the same, as my can is several years old. It is a well-behaved coating and works well for your application.

Hi guys, got some recently from www.filmtools.com 1403 Krylon, looks like the same old stuff to me, works perfect on the manifold touch up etc.
Dan

[John D.]

Re: Need help with Silver Paint on '63 L84...

Travers Tool sells Krylon Dull Aluminum. None of the stores in my area sell it any more. I think that it's on the way out.
I use it to paint the top water outlets on the 63 to 65's and even though it's not advertised as heat resistant I haven't seen any signs of the paint coming off. I bead blast the cast iron part first.
By the way those spray cans don't shelf life very well. I have several cans of dull aluminum that won't spray.
Travers Tool Co. Inc. Dull Aluminum 1403 Catalog #81-010-114. $5.29ea for 1-5 cans or 4.76ea for 6 plus cans. $2008 prices. They also stock the original semi-flat black 1613. 81-010-126. (not the reformulated stuff)
1-800-722-0703

[Michael H.]

Re: Need help with Silver Paint on '63 L84...

Hi guys, got some recently from www.filmtools.com 1403 Krylon, looks like the same old stuff to me, works perfect on the manifold touch up etc.
Dan

Do you know who was/is responsible for the "dull aluminum paint theory" for restoration on the cyl head/intake gasket area?

[Dan H.]

Re: Need help with Silver Paint on '63 L84...

Do you know who was/is responsible for the "dull aluminum paint theory" for restoration on the cyl head/intake gasket area?

Let me take a guess: Some very observant person who remembered early/low mileage HP engines had aluminum spray touch up on the gasket areas and his name was Michael?
Dan

[Michael H.]

Re: Need help with Silver Paint on '63 L84...

Let me take a guess: Some very observant person who remembered early/low mileage HP engines had aluminum spray touch up on the gasket areas and his name was Michael?
Dan

Yes, I think that's him. He discovered the aluminum paint when he was adjusting the valves on his almost brand new (one month old) 64 365 HP coupe in early 1964. While washing the valve covers in solvent, suddenly he noticed a large amount of what appeares to be silver metallic particles floating in the solvent. Thought the solvent was disolving the valve covers!
Upon further/closer inspection, he discovered that there was also silver paint on the cyl head/intake gasket surface and the intake manifold bolts, among other things.
Today, after years of arguement, most of the NCRS guys now accept and agree with the silver coverage. (at least for 63-65) He was the first!

Same guy brought orange painted bypass hoses for 63-67 small blocks, orange painted exhaust manifolds for 55-65 small blocks and 65-67 big blocks and a long list of other unacceptable items that are finally beginning to be accepted for proper restoration. (took 15 or 20 years to convince the world on the painted manifolds)

Now, if he could just get everyone going in the same direction on 63-67 dash panel end tab paint.

[Paul Y.]

Re: Need help with Silver Paint on '63 L84...

Michael, I want to say thank you and I'm proud to know you in an internet sort of way. Would like to meet you some day. Paul

[Michael H.]

Re: Need help with Silver Paint on '63 L84...

Michael, I want to say thank you and I'm proud to know you in an internet sort of way. Would like to meet you some day. Paul

Thanks Paul. I don't get around the country to the NCRS events now like I used to. The last time I was in your state (Colorado) was for the 1984 NCRS Copper Mtn road tour. (was excellent)
I usually make the Kissimmee event here and possibly Bloomington this summer.

[Dan H.]

Re: Need help with Silver Paint on '63 L84...

Thanks Paul. I don't get around the country to the NCRS events now like I used to. The last time I was in your state (Colorado) was for the 1984 NCRS Copper Mtn road tour. (was excellent)
I usually make the Kissimmee event here and possibly Bloomington this summer.

Hi Michael, we were at Copper Mtn also, had a Saddle/Saddle 64 air Coupe, were you Judging those? Got a Top Flight from Larry Shinoda, was on road trip with Sam Folz, very nice meet!!!
Dan

[Paul Y.]

Re: Need help with Silver Paint on '63 L84...

Michael and Dan, I was there also. Jimmy Blakely convinced me to bring my parts up to the swap meet and I stayed up all night redoing my rear bearings,loading, and getting there so I was a little out of sorts. I had the fuely split window with no paint pulling a tall trailer full of parts. I talked for a long time to the guy from Rochester Products that worked on the fuel injection developement. He was a remarkable man and I enjoyed him and his knowledge. I think that the meet at Steamboat was even better as it coinsided with the vintage auto race. Good times to keep in the memory banks. Paul

[Michael H.]

Re: Need help with Silver Paint on '63 L84...

Michael and Dan, I was there also. Jimmy Blakely convinced me to bring my parts up to the swap meet and I stayed up all night redoing my rear bearings,loading, and getting there so I was a little out of sorts. I had the fuely split window with no paint pulling a tall trailer full of parts.

I vaguely remember the "no paint 63". Jimmy Blakely and I had a nice chat too.

We drove our maroon/saddle 425 HP conv all the way to the event from Illinois. Zero problems and no over heating on the entire trip even though it was August and some of those canyons were 115*.

Bet Copper Mtn is nice in the winter for skiing too. Nice place.

[Michael G.]

Re: Need help with Silver Paint on '63 L84...

Just got my delivery of Krylon Dull Aluminum #1403. Tried it out, but its a bit lighter color than my aged valve covers, base plate, and fuel unit.

Also tried out a can of "High Temperature Aluminum" by "Quanta" that I got from Paragon. Its darker than the Krylon, a closer match for the components, but still not perfect.

I guess I'll go with the Paragon stuff.

Mike