TheSamba.com :: View topic - Proper paint for intake manifold and heater boxes

Thu Aug 27, 2009 7:58 pm

I'm asking in the bus forum as I couldn't find any straight answers in the Body/Paint forum and I searched high and low in other forums. Now that my apology is over with, here are my questions.

For my stock 1600 SP that is going in my '66 Sundial, I need to know the following:

1. What paint color/brand/supplier for my heater boxes?
2. What paint color/brand/supplier for my intake manifold?

All parts are original German and I want as close to original as possible.
Your input is appreciated.

Fri Aug 28, 2009 2:16 am

VHT paint, I don't know colour though...

Fri Aug 28, 2009 5:41 am

I just spent a long time searching the forums for the answer to this very question. Someone suggested that they were the same color as the tar-impregnated interior panels on commercial buses. Some very original-looking manifolds that I've seen have jived with this. I think the consensus is to just go to your local napa, or whatever, and buy some grey high-temp rattlecan paint. Try to find a color that is medium grey, almost primer color, but not so flat....slightly blue grey tint. Here are some NOS parts from the gallery, for reference:

Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:53 am

"new ford gray" at pepboys is a real, real close match. :D

Fri Aug 28, 2009 10:27 am

What ever paint you use, it won't last long, it will burn off.

Fri Aug 28, 2009 11:21 am

I have used cold galvanizing paint and it looks good there is a gray and some that is too silvery. seems to last better than most too. S

Fri Aug 28, 2009 5:24 pm

Dave24 wrote: "new ford gray" at pepboys is a real, real close match. :D
Ya, I've used that. works real good on heater boxes.
The only issue it will burn off on the right side heat riser. It is supposed to be good up to 500F, but I think they lie.

Sat Aug 29, 2009 10:19 am

Yeah, I'm with you on the 500deg. lie. Still, all in all the closest/best match I've found. On a stock muffler can it lasts about 15 minutes, and stinks for about 15 days, not recommended (by me at least) for exhaust. :wink: ... heat boxes/riser, yes.

Sat Aug 29, 2009 11:24 pm

Duplicolor make a 1200 degree rattlecan high heat paint. Find it here...
http://www.tcpglobal.com/spraypaintdepot/DC-engine.aspx
Or VHT 2000 degree Flame Proof paint here...
http://www.tcpglobal.com/spraypaintdepot/vht-flame-proof.aspx

Sun Nov 18, 2012 8:35 am

Duplicolor's color chart shows New Ford Gray DE 1612 being darker than their DE 1612.

http://www.tcpglobal.com/spraypaintdepot/DC-highheat.html

http://www.jegs.com/i/Duplicolor/318/DE1612/10002/-1

In other non-split threads people tout the 1612 as a better match. Just wondering if anyone has ever used it. It says it's a primer so that gives it the flat like original look but how does it wipe off. Anyone have experience with it and how well can you clean off oil and routine tidying? Even though it is a flat I'm hoping it will not absorb oil but before spraying it all over my heaterboxes and intake manifold. I'd like some feedback or else I'll go with Clara's and other's suggestion, DE 1611 New Ford Gray gloss.

Sun Nov 18, 2012 9:15 am

I used the Ford Gray high temp engine paint on this intake:

Sun Nov 18, 2012 9:32 am

zozo wrote: I used the Ford Gray

So you're talking "New Ford Gray" since it's gloss: same as Clara's?

Sun Nov 18, 2012 9:41 am

If you want to get really carried away and get it just right have a look at this (warning, baywindow content), you need to get in a few pages before the final results appear : http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=507350

Sun Nov 18, 2012 11:47 am

BarryL wrote: zozo wrote: I used the Ford Gray

So you're talking "New Ford Gray" since it's gloss: same as Clara's?

Rustoleum engine enamel, 500*, Ford Gray 248958. No reference on the can to "new".

Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:21 pm

Just curious if anybodys tried por15. I know it would burn off on the crossover pipe. Not sure how hot the sheetmetal on heater boxes would or does get.

Sun Nov 18, 2012 2:40 pm

I've used just plain rust paint on the heater boxes and it doesn't burn off the shells, gone in minutes on the exhaust pipes sticking out the ends and on the hot end of the intake manifold crossover though.

Sun Apr 05, 2015 7:56 am

What color are you guys using for the inatke on early 36hp motors?...the later ones are grey but earlier pre-57 are cream color.

Mon Apr 06, 2015 7:21 am

I've always used VHT hi-heat grey, not glossy, a little bit light in color, but I think the grey on NOS parts is just a primer, they didn't think back then that we would all be detailing engines and treasuring their new workhorses. I'm happy enough with the finish provided by VHT. I'm using it for the intake manifold and single-tip muffler on this VW factory "exchange" re-manufactured 36hp motor about to get fired up for the first time in 45 years in my '59 DC. I also used VHT's black paint inside and out on the NOS heater boxes. All parts were either hand sanded to metal or bead-blasted to remove the NOS primer paint, then the bare parts were aerosol sprayed with VHT paint applied in several thin layers.

The paint will hold up nicely as it has on other engines I've used it on.

Bill

Mon Apr 06, 2015 1:29 pm

I used the grey high temp VHT and am super happy. Its a nice shade of grey and after 5000 miles zero discoloration. I did cure it to the specs by heading it to 300 then cool, 400 then cool and finally 500. (i think those were the temps, read the can.)
I cured mine on a brand new grill, worked like a champ and a good excuse to replace my aging covered in grease old grill. :)

Tue Apr 07, 2015 5:19 am

I've been using Zynolyte Hi-Temp paint in "Machinery Gray" http://aervoe.com/paints_coatings/Zynolyte-Hi-Temp-Paint.html