Intake runner paint - what's the best match? Options

[Tom_T]

Looking to refinish my intake runners. What is closest matte/low gloss finish you guys have found? Does it need to be a high temp paint? Is it the same as the muffler paint? Danka

Wurth zinc spray is dead on down to the exact texture and the original stuff the factory used. Plenty on the shelf here at Automobile Atlanta

George - just to clarify for both Tod & myself, based on that reply from ZRC on the cold zinc process they have -
The Wurth won't flake off & is a heat resistant coating - correct?? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

Otherwise, if heat/cold cylcling is a problem, then a Hi-Temp engine or Exhaust paint with similar color & some zinc in the formula may be a better choice??? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)

[tod914]

Thinking their brand isn't weld through. Some of the others have higher temp ratings.

[Pat Garvey]

Surprisingly enough I found Rustoleum has a grey in their " Professional " line that is pretty damn close. I put it side by side to the factory paint and was pleased

This is the the stuff I used! None ledt, so I can't quote numbers.

Unfortunately, and stupis for me, I made the decision to clear coat the Rusto (used Rusto clear). Fine for 5-6 years, but has tellowed - so I'll need to redo the whole thing.

There was a thread about this, about 18 months ago, and someone had come up with the apparent original finish paint from VW.

Might want to make a search.
Pat

[scotty b]

Sorry I don't recall which specific grey it was. I just saw it at Lowe's and tried it.

As for Imron, it is very dangerous stuff, and while it is a great paint I would advise against using it, just due to the hazards. I shot one car with it and will not use it again. It gave me a pounding headache and put me to sleep for about 2 hours. Later I worked at a shop and was talking to the owner about it and he told me he actually passed out after walking out of the booth. His brother found him and got him to the E-room. Luckily it is only about 3 blocks from the shop. NASTY stuff. Also had an old timer tell me he had the stuff show up on an X-ray coating the inside of his lungs. He shot ALOT of it in the 70's.

[tod914]

Found the link Pat. Looks like the perfect match.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...c=69514&hl=

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsL...fm?ID=PAINTL249

Guess that's what I'll be ordering. Thanks for the help guys. The Engine detail site also mentions " The original color for the engine tin, valve covers, etc was L41 Black "

Thanks for the research Mike.

[Tom_T]

Sorry I don't recall which specific grey it was. I just saw it at Lowe's and tried it.

As for Imron, it is very dangerous stuff, and while it is a great paint I would advise against using it, just due to the hazards. I shot one car with it and will not use it again. It gave me a pounding headache and put me to sleep for about 2 hours. Later I worked at a shop and was talking to the owner about it and he told me he actually passed out after walking out of the booth. His brother found him and got him to the E-room. Luckily it is only about 3 blocks from the shop. NASTY stuff. Also had an old timer tell me he had the stuff show up on an X-ray coating the inside of his lungs. He shot ALOT of it in the 70's.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif)
Hmmmm.....bet his lungs never rusted! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/barf.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)
...sorry, couldn't resist being an ole kurr dawg! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)
I think the newer IMRON II is probably less caustic with the lower VOCs to meet the new Euro stds., but then it's not made for engine parts & hi-temp anyway, I wouldn't think IMHO!?

[tod914]

I'll ask Mike Moore how it held up.

[Tom_T]

Found the link Pat. Looks like the perfect match.

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...c=69514&hl=

http://www.wolfsburgwest.com/cart/DetailsL...fm?ID=PAINTL249

Guess that's what I'll be ordering. Thanks for the help guys. The Engine detail site also mentions " The original color for the engine tin, valve covers, etc was L41 Black "

Thanks for the research Mike.

Man, this sh*t's great at these links Tod, Pat, Mike & all those without the "half-zymers" which I have! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) ....hmmmm, better not let the wife know its a bus/van engine, or she'll have me detailing the engine on her DD 88 Westy! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

She pulled that trick when I was looking for the replacement set of Fuchs for the 914, & had to also get her a set of the OE Vanagon Alloys too - Geesh!!!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

[tod914]

Scotty, I'll try a couple different ones, once I get a can of the vw paint to see if I can find a high temp match like you did.

[tod914]

I put together a color chart of Tiger Drylac powder coat colors compared to an original runner as well as the dove grey painted one. I'm going to pick up a can of the Wurth zinc and see how it compares.

[Tom_T]

I put together a color chart of Tiger Drylac powder coat colors compared to an original runner as well as the dove grey painted one. I'm going to pick up a can of the Wurth zinc and see how it compares.

Tod, to my eye the OE intake has more of a bluish undertone to the grey, while Dove Grey repainted ones have more of a greenish undertone ~ i.e.: it probably has some yellow in the tint base to make it a warm grey, vs. the bluish cool grey of the OE ones.

That may help you in looking at various color wheels/sample & in explaining the grey you want to replicate to paint/powder-coat retailers/mfgrs. There may also be a cost effective custom direct color match available from the powder coatings &/or spray paints (former from powder coaters & latter probably only from auto paint supplier &/or paint/body shops).

Great Chart! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[tod914]

The powder coat choices didn't have much in the blueish tints available.

[Tom_T]

The powder coat choices didn't have much in the blueish tints available.

I think Scotty? said they were custom mixable, & some of the ones out here do so, all probably for this very reason of matching an existing paint/coating. They all also sell a range of standard colors, but you have to ask about their capability to "match to color" with both powder & paint. Not all shops/suppliers will do it, so you'd have to hut for one if the current guys you're currentlytalkig to do not.

It's like the difference of going into the paint store with a color to match for your home, vs. a now very wide range of pre-mixed & pre-formulated colors (where they mix it there from the color swatch you pick of a tint/color formula).

[JeffBowlsby]

I had some intake runners and the full exhaust system done in Techline Colorgard, 'Titanium' color.

Its a ceramic coating made for high heat and it is dead-on correct match for the original grey color, sheen and texture. You can install it yourself, but its better to bake it on, I would recommend having a shop do it.

http://www.techlinecoatings.com/Exhaust.htm

[tod914]

Thanks Jeff. By chance could you post a picture? I just finished taking mine off so will be looking at making a decission soon. Sounds like that would be a much better solution than paint.

[JeffBowlsby]

Here you go Tod. These are the cermaic coating Techline Colorgard, 'Titanium' color. My exhust is also done in these HEs, muffler, and all the ducting that was originally grey.

[Pat Garvey]

Here you go Tod. These are the cermaic coating Techline Colorgard, 'Titanium' color. My exhust is also done in these HEs, muffler, and all the ducting that was originally grey.

Jeff,

Never thought I'd see the day that we disagree on originality.....but that day is here.

Assuming I can take the pics as reasonably accurate, the color is too dark, and there's way too much texture. Also, the stuff is on the mounting threads, which will, unless removed, change the torque characteristics.

Sorry, doesn't work for me. No further comment needed for the rest of the exhaust & heating components.
Pat

[JeffBowlsby]

I can see why you might say that Pat, looking at those photos I posted. But I did a side by side comparison with some that are original finish in the same light a few years ago and it is an excellent match in color, texture and gloss, to my eye. I don't have an original set anymore to make a photo. I have also noticed a range of different original color intake runners over the years, from a light dusty gray to the medium greys maybe you have also?

I dont have any good photos of the finish on early-cars, unkless it matches the 1973 colors below, but this matches my 1974 cars... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/creamsicle914.jpg)

[JeffBowlsby]

Here are 2 from 1973 cars:

[JeffBowlsby]

And two from 1974 cars: