1978 Pace car air cleaner paint color.

[Tom H.]

My brother just purchased a very nice 600 mile L82 4 speed pace car. For some reason, the entire air cleaner assembly has been repainted with a very high gloss show quality paint job.

To repaint this assembly and duplicate the original correct finish, what paint would you suggest ??

Thanks !

[Harmon C.]

Re: 1978 Pace car air cleaner paint color.

The gloss is brite on the originals. Over on Corvette Froum they take them off for good daily. I would try a wanted ad as the original finish on an air cleaner is hard to get correct.

[Tom H.]

Re: 1978 Pace car air cleaner paint color.

Thanks Lyle !

I agree finding another assembly would be good, but trying to find one that would suit a 600 mile car might be tough. I have several in my "stash", but none nice enough. I think i can get the finish done OK with the correct color choice.

[Tom R.]

Re: 1978 Pace car air cleaner paint color.

My brother just purchased a very nice 600 mile L82 4 speed pace car. For some reason, the entire air cleaner assembly has been repainted with a very high gloss show quality paint job.

To repaint this assembly and duplicate the original correct finish, what paint would you suggest ?!

Tom
I've attempted to keep up with not only finishes but paint that would match up with original finishes. The problem as we've discussed on this forum before is that today's finishes are way too glossy by 70 standards. So "black gloss" was the original finish for the air cleaner and sounds like a previous owner went with "gloss black" to tidy up the finish.

Having said that, I've got rust-O-leum gloss black for gloss black finishes but haven't tried it. I've got an air cleaner I need to paint and can try it out. A good match comparison part would be the radiator. It also calls for a gloss black finish. As you know, the problem is thirty years and "fade." In the absence of an original air cleaner, unpainted, I would experiment and work toward a match with the radiator finish.

[Tom H.]

Re: 1978 Pace car air cleaner paint color.

Thanks Tom !!

[Steven B.]

Re: 1978 Pace car air cleaner paint color.

My '78 L-48 SA has 12,000 miles, bought new, and the paint on the air cleaner is pretty much as when it rolled off the truck as it has not been driven on long trips and the heat has not deteriorated the shine much. The paint is gloss black, but you can't see your image in it, has no runs and is very thin. The radiator is a good comparison. When you spray it just cover the metal, no extra paint and it should come out OK. I tried some Rustoleum on a sample piece of metal and it was a little thicker. Possibly thinning some gloss black a little might work.

[Tom H.]

Re: 1978 Pace car air cleaner paint color.

Thanks Steven:

I have two other new 78 Pace Cars in our dealership collection to compare to as far as correct application, but I really was just looking for the correct color. I think we'll just experiment until we get it right. Thanks to all for helping !