SoCalJack Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Hey guys. I been having a hard time deciding what color to paint my engine bay. The car is an 280ZX with black exterior, and the interior is becoming black and red. I cannot decide between: flat black gloss black undercoating gunmetal (dark grey) I want something that will be somewhat easy to keep clean, and will look good. Any ideas? This is right after we took the engine out: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetleaf Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Safety Pink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggyZ Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Black cars are the only cars that should have black engine bays. I think engine bays should match the rest of the body or compliment it. Black is the wussy way out. Or you can do safety pink... I approve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalJack Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 Ha safety pink! I may be a lady, but I am no girly girl. No pink for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 I would go with a semi-gloss black, not really flat, not really glossy. Would probably stand apart from the exterior just enough without looking out of place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zxmike Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 semi gloss silver, it sounds weird but looks really good against pretty much any color Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
X64v Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Match the exterior. I think the gloss black will look best, and be easiest to clean. I wouldn't be surprised if dirt 'sticks' to the flat black more; happens on my flat black louvers/tail light panel. Black cars are the only cars that should have black engine bays. I think engine bays should match the rest of the body or compliment it. Black is the wussy way out. Or you can do safety pink... I approve. Agreed, finally someone who shares my viewpoint on this. I love the blue engine bay on my blue car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalJack Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 Match the exterior. I think the gloss black will look best, and be easiest to clean. I wouldn't be surprised if dirt 'sticks' to the flat black more; happens on my flat black louvers/tail light panel. Agreed, finally someone who shares my viewpoint on this. I love the blue engine bay on my blue car. Yeah thats kind of what I was thinking too. I thought about painting it red too.... just to have it really stand out when you open the hood. But I think I would rather the bay be a darker/neutral color so that the engine stands out more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HotRod-Z Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 I used "Hot Rod Black" lacquer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KenshinX Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Aside from flat and glossy there is always satin. I will paint mine satin black. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalJack Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 HotRod-Z, I like that a lot... Hopefully mine will turn out half as good as that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evildky Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 white, make finding leaks a snap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalJack Posted April 4, 2009 Author Share Posted April 4, 2009 Well thank you guys for your input. I think I decided with satin black (thanks to Kenshinx and Vintage!!!) Paint the bay and the mundane stuff satin black and have the stuff that I want to stick out red or gloss black. Thanks again for the ideas, its much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240Z2NV Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 SEM makes a catalyzed kit called "Hot Rod Black HR010" everything that you need comes in a box, just mix it all together and shoot. Looks VERY nice, and will not 'chalk' on you later. Satin / Semi-Gloss Black is the best of both worlds when going black. Flat looks dirty ALL of the time, and gloss is conspicuous when part only of it is dirty or chipped. My .02 The satin black engine bay is most familiar to 'older' hot rod guys. In the sixties and much of the seventies, all cars came with black engine bays. Now, it is more of a 'Newstalgia' look. It is also MUCH more practical in the event of future exterior color changes. Everyone has an opinion..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsicard Posted April 5, 2009 Share Posted April 5, 2009 Hey guys. I been having a hard time deciding what color to paint my engine bay. The car is an 280ZX with black exterior, and the interior is becoming black and red.I cannot decide between: flat black gloss black undercoating gunmetal (dark grey) I want something that will be somewhat easy to keep clean, and will look good. Any ideas? This is right after we took the engine out: SoCalJack: When I changed the differential and shocks on my 240Z, I sprayed a spackle white and grey paint in the wheel wells and underbody where the diff and half shafts came out, and damn does it look nice. Additionally, with the lighter color it is easy to tell when there is a leak of fluid from the Diff. I intend to do the same thing to the engine compartment when converting to a V8 engine. Just my $0.02. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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