59 engine paint color - brand preference?

[Jill J.]

Where is the best place to buy my engine paint color for my 59 (3737739)? According to the NCRS Technical Information and Judging Manual, I should paint it and other specified components Chevy orange. Is there a specific brand, tint, shade, or color code that is preferred? And would it be gloss, semi-gloss, or flat? Thanks for your help. Jill

[James W.]

Re: 59 engine paint color - brand preference?

Buy Chevrolet Orange From Bill Hirsh Auto http://www.hirschauto.com/. They seem to have one of the best matches for Chevrolet Orange.

Hope this helps.

James West

Where is the best place to buy my engine paint color for my 59 (3737739)? According to the NCRS Technical Information and Judging Manual, I should paint it and other specified components Chevy orange. Is there a specific brand, tint, shade, or color code that is preferred? And would it be gloss, semi-gloss, or flat? Thanks for your help. Jill

[Joe L.]

Re: 59 engine paint color - brand preference?

Buy Chevrolet Orange From Bill Hirsh Auto http://www.hirschauto.com/. They seem to have one of the best matches for Chevrolet Orange.

Hope this helps.

James West

James------


Quite a few years ago I purchased and used some of the Bill Hirsch Chevrolet Orange. I found the color to be way off anything I've ever seen on any Chevrolet engine. There was way too much orange in it and virtually no red, at all. Also, it had a sort of "pinkish hue" to it. So, color-wise, I didn't consider it correct, at all. It's possible, of course, that it's been changed by now.

I can say that it is a very high quality paint and the degree of gloss is perfect, unlike most other paints on the market which are WAY too glossy.

I have found that the Chevrolet Orange sold by Paragon is much closer to the original in color. However, like most others, it's somewhat too glossy.

Chevrolet orange did change over the years and I don't think that Chevrolet ever had a precise spec they demanded from suppliers. However, the Chevrolet orange used in the 50's to early 70's had quite a bit of red in it, much more than most of the Chevrolet orange paints available today.

As accurate as can be depicted in a flash photo, here's a photo of how the Bill Hirsch paint (at least that sold quite a few years ago) appears:


DSCN2934.jpg 69originalvalvecover 001.jpg


For contrast, I'm also including a photo of one of the original valve covers from my 1969 small block. These were removed from the engine very early in its life and, consequently, were not greatly affected by engine heat.

[Jill J.]

Re: 59 engine paint color - brand preference?

Great, thanks to both of your for your help and also posting the sample photos on the color. Much appreciated. Happy Holidays! Jill

[Jerry C.]

Re: 59 engine paint color - brand preference?

Have had good luck with Quanta spray cans.

[Mike E.]

Re: 59 engine paint color - brand preference?

I'm not a big fan of rattle cans and I see Eastwood makes a high temp Chevy Orange you can add urethane activator and buy in quarts which would be enough to paint probably 5+ engines, it's what I will be using. From what I've read you should not put any paint on too heavy if your having your car judged. In a recent thread John Hinckley posted the engine plants spend about 12 seconds applying the paint to an engine.

Mike

[Donald H.]

Re: 59 engine paint color - brand preference?

I used the Quanta chevy orange engine paint. If it means anything to you, I didn't get any negative comments in Regional and National judging regarding the shine or color.

[Michael H.]

Re: 59 engine paint color - brand preference?

I always thought that the color changed from kinda orange from the 50's to about 65, then to a little more red around 66.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the paint came from a few different sources and that may be why slightly different colors.

Big block Tonawanda engines, at least for 65-67, were definitely not the same color as small blocks from Flint. They were more of a carrot color.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 59 engine paint color - brand preference?

IMO, I have always thought the old Seymour rattle can chevy orange was the best match. I think the correct paint is a Alkyd enamel which does not require primer.

[Domenic T.]

Re: 59 engine paint color - brand preference?

When I use rattle cans I have always like Rustolium the best. They have engine enamel now and a few different oranges to choose from ( some not chevy orange).
I was happy with the one I used. Some will say that using a primer will make the paint job to thick, but I find just the opposite.
If I use rustolium primer (redish brown) and lightly prime the cast iron and let set for 20 min., then spray with the color, I use less paint overall.
Even though the primer says it is not for heat it does great on engines. I have used it for years, no crazing or chipping when it gets old.


DOM

[John H.]

Re: 59 engine paint color - brand preference?

I've always preferred Quanta Chevy Orange, for color and lower gloss than the others (except Seymour) - I think you'll find that Quanta is Seymour with a Quanta label. Between Flint and Tonawanda, there were TWELVE suppliers of Chevy Orange, and they changed regularly based on pricing; I remember a scandal in the late 60's at Flint V-8 where a Material Control Superintendent got fired over kickbacks from an engine paint supplier.

[Jill J.]

Re: 59 engine paint color - brand preference?

Thanks to everyone for their information and feedback. Since I bought (and started) my restoration project in March of this year, I have found everyone to be so willing to share their information and knowledge. It's really nice to know that I can count on others for their sound advice when I get stumped. When I bought my 59, it had no engine or transmission, the body was not badly abused, and the frame was sound and straight. I can't tell you the joy and exuberance I've had working on this project. It was always a dream of mine to own one of these classics, and I couldn't believe my eyes when it finally came true. My biggest thrill so far is not just stripping everything down to the bare bones, but putting the story together on the car as I unravel each piece to bring it back to life and put all the pieces back together, the way this classic looked when it left the factory. Thanks again for your help and advice. It's great sharing the passion (that we all share together) with you all. Jill

[Joe L.]

Re: 59 engine paint color - brand preference?

Many years ago I purchased a plethora of different brands of "Chevrolet Orange" paint. I sprayed test panels of each one and, somewhere around here, I still have them (but, I'm not sure where). In any event, I recall that the best match for the mid-60's to early 70's small block paint was a brand called Aervoe. As a matter of fact, it's possible that Aervoe was a supplier to Flint engine during the referenced period since Aervoe is a bulk supplier of industrial paints. Aervoe is still very much in business but I don't think they still supply automotive engine paint, at least in consumer types.

The Aervoe product was the only one I tested that had the very prominent red color seen in small block engine paint during the above-referenced period. It was also of low gloss, just like the original paint. All of the other brands, to one degree or another, had too little red and too much orange. Most were also too glossy.

[James W.]

Re: 59 engine paint color - brand preference?

Jill,

Here's a partial picture of my '65 396 engine valve cover. The engine was completely assembled and painted with the Hirsh Chevrolet Orange. The firewall and body color give it some contrast. I did spend longer than 12 seconds to paint it. Sorry about the image being rotated, if you open it it will come up in the correct orientation.

Happy New Year!

James West

[Jill J.]

Re: 59 engine paint color - brand preference?

Thanks for the picture, James. Happy New Year to you too! Jill