Semi gloss black for engine compartment?

[71/454]

I'm working on cleaning up my underhood appearance right now. I only intended on cleaning up the wiring and such, but I also needed to replace the heater core and it struck me as since it's out this would be the time to paint. The truck is dark blue metallic but still wears the original light blue color on the firewall but it's flaky and has overspray. To boot someones undercoat/boxlinered the underside of the hood and inside the fenders.
I'm not completely sold on the black yet, I feel body color always looks best. But it does seem to make the best of the whole situation. Thoughts? Or even better, pics?

[5150.4.67]

I used SEM hotrod black, which is a satin finish. I painted the inner fenders, core support and the heater assy. I dont have a photo of them assembled, but you can see the heater fan box. I too debated about painting the underhood components to match the color of the truck, but I rather like the "factory" look of satin black..... my .02.

[71/454]

I need to spray the entire firewall to clean it up is my trepidation. I'm scared it'll look like an 81 Camaro!

[5150.4.67]

I'm scared it'll look like an 81 Camaro!

What do you think about spraying it black as well?
(a photo I archived, from a Blazer)

[5150.4.67]

Another photo I saved........

[71/454]

Exactly what I was wondering. Mine would look like the second pic as I need to go that high to cover my mess. Actually it doesn't look bad as long as there is enough shiney stuff on the engine!

[MistaGavin]

I think most people use satin black. Thats what I am also going to use as it doesn't show oil too much (where flat would) but it's not too glossy to look overdone.

[96blazr]

Originally Posted by MistaGavin

I think most people use satin black. Thats what I am also going to use as it doesn't show oil too much (where flat would) but it's not too glossy to look overdone.

Satin Black was my only choice. Works and looks great.

[67Slider]

I did semi-gloss black on my firewall, inner fenders and frame.
[IMG][/IMG]

[hayhauler71]

satin black

[Hart_Rod]

I like satin....

[Longhorn Man]

While it isn't the look you want, it's WAY better than the look you have... go for it

[71/454]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

While it isn't the look you want, it's WAY better than the look you have... go for it

Yeah thats it exactly. It looks a lot better than I thought it would.

I painted the inner fenders today, I'll work on the firewall prep tomorrow. Maybe paint on Friday. I'm going to have to learn how to post pics all over again. I wish I would have taken photos of the inners before as they look a lot better now.
Thanks for all the pics guys.

[big_al_71]

when I redid my truck truck this was something that I had a hardtime deciding what finish to go with at the end I went with the glossy black, my next truck I am going to have it painted semi gloss..

[71/454]

The glossy black looks nice. Your firewall is very clean and smooth though.

[jwn1975]

The firewall should go the color of the truck. Inner fenders semi gloss as well as the rad support. If you paint it all the same color especially black it looks cheap. rattle can trailer park restoration. Oh ya..... IMHO!

[jondancer]

Originally Posted by jwn1975

The firewall should go the color of the truck. Inner fenders semi gloss as well as the rad support. If you paint it all the same color especially black it looks cheap. rattle can trailer park restoration. Oh ya..... IMHO!

I think I'm going for the trailer park restoration .
Posted via Mobile Device

[Shyguy]

Originally Posted by jondancer

I think I'm going for the trailer park restoration .
Posted via Mobile Device

Yep, me too. Since I live in a trailer I might as well go with the trailer park restoration.

Going with a satin black firewall is more functional than anything else since I live in the country on a gravel road and use my trucks to haul stuff for the farm.

The one we are now building will be nicer than the rest I have owned, but still will be driven on the gravel road and do light hauling on occasion.

My son and his wife did a great job on the restoration of their trucks but rarely drive them because they don't want to get them dirty. But like I always say build them the way you want them. We do all our own work on the trucks that we restore, it is a family thing.

[w4625]

I think semigloss looks great..btw what headers are you using?

[Steve Hafner]

. . . .

It's funny, the only "original" paint left on my truck is on the firewall !!!

At first, I was thinking about semi gloss black for the under hood area.

After the color was changed from blue to white, I decided to keep the firewall original with it's factory markings.

. . . .

[Hubscrub]

I have two trailer park restorations!! i'm not building a "show truck" i was going to but i saw the light. Both mine and the wife's will be sporting flat paint and be hotrods/crusiers.

[Shyguy]

Originally Posted by Hubscrub

I have two trailer park restorations!! i'm not building a "show truck" i was going to but i saw the light. Both mine and the wife's will be sporting flat paint and be hotrods/crusiers.

My son just finished painting his '70 C-10 "Hot Rod Black", it looks like a satin finish.

[dukcaln]

black is good........

[Hubscrub]

Originally Posted by Shyguy

My son just finished painting his '70 C-10 "Hot Rod Black", it looks like a satin finish.

yea, the wife is wanting flat lime green and painted ralleys or steelies, and i'm going some shade of yellow as of now

[special-K]

My truck may be going together in red oxide,so I painted the firewall with Plasticolor "low gloss" engine paint,which is what the frame is painted. I can always paint it later or it will match whatever I do. It's not exactly a tar paper shack restoration,more like the cabin in the country restoration look. I specifically didn't want the yuppy castle in the burbs look on this one. I've built mansion on the hill trucks and found they're just not my style. I like to drive them...and drive them and drive them some more and park them anywhere I want to go.