Orange Engine Paint for 1957

[Robert R.]

What spray paints (12oz cans) have you used and had the best results from for a 1957 (- 62) engine? Should I use enamel or enamel with ceramic? I want a paint that will meet the judging requirements and that has excellent durability. Some examples - Eastwoods #13826Z, Rust-Oleum #248941, Corvette Central #101024

[Harry S.]

Re: Orange Engine Paint for 1957

Rob, try Seymours's Chevy Orange.

http://www.seymourpaint.com/product/hi-tech-engine-enamels/

[Mike M.]

Re: Orange Engine Paint for 1957

i've been using VHT chevy engine orange for 30+ years. its high temp(as the abbreviation implies) and the color of orange has never been questioned on the judging field. mike

[Keith B.]

Re: Orange Engine Paint for 1957

If I remember JohnZ saying that they had many suppliers of paint for both plants and they all varied from day to day. I would be more concerned about the sheen. I have seen some look like a mirror and others flat. On that note I like Dupi Color 1620

[Mark S.]

Re: Orange Engine Paint for 1957

I, like Mike, have also had very good luck with VHT orange for many years!

[Robert R.]

Re: Orange Engine Paint for 1957

Mike-
Do you use the VHT Engine Primer also? (VHT Sp148)

Thanks
Rob

[Mike M.]

Re: Orange Engine Paint for 1957

never used or knew they had a primer. VHT adheres very well. some of our engines were painted in the 80's and are still presentable. mike

[Ron G.]

Re: Orange Engine Paint for 1957

Rob,

Many years ago I did extensive research with Product Managers and line workers from the Flint and Tonawanda Engine assembly plants. My findings are that Sherwin Williams was the paint supplier for many years for Flint. The paint code was JK4892. It was a straight enamel. You can still have this paint mixed today. Of course the paint code has been changed and they may have to cross reference the code. What I can tell you is that at Flint the paint was an oil based paint up until calendar year 1971. Beginning in January 1971 Flint changed the formula to a water base as opposed to the original oil base. May have had something to do with EPA. Not sure. What that means is that 1971 Corvette engines produced in 1970 will have the original mix. This in no way effected the shade of orange. In fact I am having some mixed this coming week. You can however use VHT as the color is almost identical. For me I chose the "purist" path.

- Ron

[Pat H.]

Re: Orange Engine Paint for 1957

I bought some from a GM dealer about 3 years ago. Part # 992652. The dealer told me that when its gone its gone. I still have a half a can left for touch ups. When the car was judged no deduction for engine paint. I think the trick is to not over coat the engine. The more paint the shinier it gets

[Ron G.]

Re: Orange Engine Paint for 1957

Robert,

Pat is correct wen he says do not put too much paint on as it will make more shiny. I am not a straight axle aficionado although I have owned a 61 fuel car several years ago, I would spray very lightly as the factory did. Also, the water pump, harmonic balancer were also attached and received just a minimal amount of coverage, especially behind the aforementioned components to give it that assembly line look.

- Ron

[Daniel R.]

Re: Orange Engine Paint for 1957

Thanks Mike and Harry for you posts. I'm going to repaint my intake manifold and was wondering what paint to use. Daniel

[Steven B.]

Re: Orange Engine Paint for 1957

never used or knew they had a primer. VHT adheres very well. some of our engines were painted in the 80's and are still presentable. mike

Used VHT on my '57 decades ago and just recently. Never use a primer.