Since my 350 block is nearly done at the machine shop, I am looking for the most durable gold engine paint. This car is a driver and will never be a show car, so the shade of gold isn't the most important. I always used Duplicolor because it is available locally. It is runny and not very durable, never again. I want something chemical resistant and as durable as possible. I have spray guns, as long as it sprays well, if a quart can is enough to do an engine, that is fine. I will be blasting and using my 73 Oldsmobile valve covers on this one, so it will be very visible. Thanks.

 

Looking at POR 15 and Eastwood gold engine paint. POR is considerably cheaper but only a pint, if a get 2 pints, it is closer. POR needs their solvent to spray. The Eastwood needs their activator and reducer to spray but comes in quarts. Which is a better paint? I have used POR products they were OK, some better than others. Another bonus is the POR paint ships from Canada in Canadian dollars. Thoughts?

 

Yes, there will be stripping and blasting before paint.

 

Hirsch's late small Block gold

 

Bill Hirsh's paint sounds good as well and is similar in price. I could go this route, not in stock at our store in town but could get it brought in. The VHT paints are more durable and thicker than the Duplicolor. Around $20 a can. Maybe two cans will do it. Not painting the intake or Canton oil pan.
Anyone use this?

 

Thornton Muscle cars
https://www.thorntonmusclecars.com/p...-engine-enamel

Gene

 

I've used Fusick's with good results, which, at the time came in areosol cans with Eastwood lables on them.

 

Eastwood olds gold, ceramic paint.
https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-ce...old-quart.html

 

[QUOTE=skyhigh;1340138]Eastwood olds gold, ceramic paint.
https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-ce...old-quart.html[/QUOTE
Is it worth the extra cost? It is probably the most expensive but having a separate activator should mean it will last forever on the shelf.

 

I may go with two cans of Thorton Gold. Is it a durable paint? It looks like the factory darker gold, from the pics. Going to their site made me remember, I need their 4 core rad saddles for my big aluminum rad.

 

[QUOTE=olds 307 and 403;1340146]No paint will last forever, all paints have a shelf life weather it has hardner or not, that not a bad price for a quart? any decent paint gonna cost more than a rattle can. is it good or bad? I never used it, my block is not back from the machine shop, there was a guy here who used it and I thought it looked great, did the color hold up under alot of driving I cant say, I have used ceramic in the past and I liked it, there is also a por15 gold. asking what the best is only going to net you a thousand different answers lol. If I had access to an oven I love the look of a powder coat.

 

POR 15 is a great paint. I brush painted my 455 with one of their blue colors and it's lasted well for nearly 10 years.

 

I used the VHT paint on my small block; VHT# SP404 Gold Flake. It a little too "gold" in my opinion but I'm ok with it.
Here's a pic:



Rodney

 

That looks really nice cdrod, I like it

 

Thanks for the compliment Skyhigh. I don't have any road time on the car yet so I can't report on the durability of the VHT paint, but hopefully it stays this bright after putting come miles on the car.

Rodney

 

That looks good. I ordered 3 cans of the Thornton paint since I needed 4 core mounts and saddles.

 

Supposedly Thornton's GM licensed Gold

Will see how close to pics on Ebay it turns out. The one on the website is way too dark.

 

Is some cases the gold valve covers appear to be a different color than the block and intake. Is this the case or is it because the valve covers are smooth and the block and intake are more course? Thanks. Photo courtesy from online source. Not mine.

 

The block looks like Universal Gold. The valve covers look right. Thornton couldn't ship across the border. I went with the VHT Gold Metallic, definitely not stock but I like it.

 

I used the same on mine and am picking up my 2nd can tonight actually. $28 local vs $40 plus shipping is a no brainer.

 

I went with VHT# SP404 Gold Flake. Sent 3 cans to BTR, Ask Bill to smooth exterior of the new block before painting. And a can of Metallic black paint for all the nuts and bolts. Other than the arp. Makes it pop!

My current engine, done from years ago. Not sure what color gold it was.

 

Yeah, that is what I used, think it is my shops lighting, it pops more in person. The Black Metallic is really nice on the brackets and bolts. I have been buying it at Canadian Tire, I see almost no VHT now available on their online store. Just garbage Duplicolor, I better stock up before it isn't available anymore.

 

Here’s mine with fluorescent and led lights.