Engine Paint

[Bob A.]

Has anyone had experience with Bill Hirsch engine paint (aerosol can). Is it easy to apply? Were you pleased with the results? Or, is having the block shot with a gun the only way to go? Any other comments would be appreciated.

Thanks and Best Wishes!

Bob Adams

[Joe L.]

Re: Engine Paint

Bob------

I've used Bill Hirsch paints. I was not 100% satisfied with the Chevrolet orange color match, but, in fairness, Chevrolet orange was not really just one specific color---it varied widely over the years. Like I've said before regarding other color matters, GM, apparently, didn't tie down these colors with a military specification-like spec sheet. In any event, the Hirsch Chevrolet orange that I used did not seem exactly like any that I'd seen. It had a somewhat "pinkish", almost "salmon-colored" hue to it.

Otherwise, though, the paint was excellent. Using an aerosol can it covered well and is VERY high quality; much better, in my opinion, than the paint that Chevrolet originally used. The finished product looked absolutely beautiful. I don't think that anyone could do any better with a spray gun.

As far as these various brands of Chevrlet orange go, sometime back I made up paint samples from a wide range of Chevrolet orange paints available under about 20, or so, different brands. I used absolutely identical substrate material (primed sheet metal "swatches") so that this would not affect the perceived finished color. Comparing them, no 2 were alike and there was a wide variation in the colors. Worse yet, not a single one came even close to matching the color of some painted components that I removed from my 1969 small block when it was nearly new (valve covers and oil filler cap) and carefully stored. So, while the Hirsch paint may not be "right", none of the others are, either. The original Chevrolet orange engine paints were NOT high gloss; they were more of a semi-gloss. The Hirsch paints do have just about the right degree of glossiness which many of the others don't.

[Eugene B.]

Re: Engine Paint

Joe,
Would you give us your opinion of the Chevrolet orange engine paint that is sold by Quanta. Their catalog states that it "is specially formulated to provide an original-looking finish with the proper gloss and orange color"...

Thanks, I always enjoy your comments.

Regards,
Gene

[Chas Kingston]

Re: Thanx, Joe

for the analysis. I knew that "Chevrolet Orange" engine enamals were often not the right color; even from the parts department. but I hadn't realized that there were so many different vendors and variations.

Geezer

[Jerry C.]

Re: Thanx, Joe

I tried Bill Hirsh a few years ago and their paint was way to pink. Quants paint is excellent but buy it by the quart as their spray cans gum up and will not spray and their nozzels are different than other cans.

[Harmon C.]

Re: Engine Paint

Joe With todays methods could a paint supply shop match the color on old parts or is the high temp. a problem? I would like to see an engine paint with less gloss and a darker look that you see on original parts. Lyle

[Philip Whitaker Member# 2024]

Re: Thanx, Joe

I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who thinks that the Bill Hirsh Chevrolet Orange engine enamel is pink. I complained to them, and they informed me that they had never had a complaint other than mine. They sent me another quart and billed me full price, then refunded the first quart minus what percentage they thought was used (20%). I paid all shipping. The second quart was the same pink color as the first. I don't know if they just had a bad batch or what. Rather than fight with them over it, I chucked thier product and bought some paint locally. I must tell you that this was at least five years ago. I would not buy from them again as they were not very customer friendly to deal with in my experience. But that's just me. Others may have had much better dealings. Good luck.

Phil

[Steve Westphal]

Re: Engine Paint

Watch out for Corvette Central engine spray cans. They gum up and only about half of it could be used. In fact, I cut the cans open and poured them into an aerosol sprayer.

[Joe L.]

Re: Engine Paint

Lyle------

The one reservation that I've had about doing this is exactly the one you mentioned----I'm not sure that the paint store-formulated paint would have enough heat resistance. However, I'm still going to try it when I get around to it. I'll use a regular automotive paint supplier who may understand the high temp requirements and NOT Home Depot. Actually, though, the engine paint does not have to be really high temp resistant, although it's better if it is. Most parts of the engine, except those exposed to exhaust heat, do not exceed 300 degrees F and most enamels will withstand that.

[Joe L.]

Re: Engine Paint

Gene-----

Quanta is one of the brands that I didn't evaluate in my test. I intend to, though. I still have all of my test "swatches" and, of course, I still have my original-painted engine components for comparison purposes.

[Jace H.]

Plasti-Kote Chevy Orange

I used Plasti - Kote chevy orange in the srpay can and had excellent results. I know other corvette enthusiasts who use it exclusively.
Jace

[Patrick H.]

Re: Engine Paint

I used a tiny bit of the Quanta spray enamel to touch up my 72 small block before judging. It seemed to match exactly for color, but since I was using a VERY tiny brush to apply it, I can't give you any information on gloss.

I've used the Quanta in a quart on my 71, and liked the color and gloss very much.

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: Plasti-Kote Chevy Orange

Jace-----

Plasti-Cote was one of the ones that I evaluated in my test. The color was one of the closer ones to my original 69 small block engine color. However, it was also one of the glossiest---way too glossy.

[Jace H.]

Re: Plasti-Kote Chevy Orange

Joe,

Won't the gloss fade some over time & heat?

Jace

[Joe L.]

Re: Plasti-Kote Chevy Orange

Jace----

A little might, but not much.