Topic: Opinions re various underhood sheens? - 1965 Shelby

[camp upshur]

I am about to paint an Apr 65 SJ engine bay and would appreciate comments regarding the various subtle black underhood finish differences.
(I have  the ability to control the gloss percentages per mix)

-It is my recollection that the basic engine bay was painted approx 20-25% eggshell/low sheen (?);
-shock tower caps: I assume painted at SJ separately, gloss unknown, probably similar to engine bay ?;
-export brace (T-5 or GT-350 DSO): I recall (?) a glossier finish (perhaps 30% low sheen), most probably applied by the supplier (Ford or sub-contractor?) beforehand:
-LeMans bar (GT-350), not an SJ piece, slightly glossier yet (35%??); long rumoured as being sourced from Traction-Master which I have not validated;
-radiator: painted by Modine beforehand ? (45%+ gloss ??), realize most radiator shops use high gloss but Modine production may have not (?):
-horns: supplier painted presumably (perhaps semi-gloss also ?);

-although not underhood, the interior: slightly glossier than engine bay (perhaps 30% ?), the dash, a-pillar and doors due to various interior colors spec'd, must have been painted perhaps after the basic engine bay? This stuff really gets into the weeds.

Thank you,
Steve A

[J_Speegle]

On a lot of these items I don't think you will find an agreement as to how much sheen each had since it likely varied based on when they were painted, the type or brand of paint, weather or conditions where they were painted. Though I have seen through the years a couple of attempts to do that but think last attempt was from the 80's

It's more IMHO a range and the acceptance that they all didn't likely match each and everyone. Much like the other semigloss black items attached to the engine didn't but lets give it a try.

Not going to be much help with the percentage method. As discussed in another thread some of us have taken a piece of metal and have done a shot out of either different brands of semigloss paints or different mixes then use that to measure or to choose the level of gloss we want to use for each individual application. 

-It is my recollection that the basic engine bay was painted approx 20-25% eggshell/low sheen (?);

Sorry don't know. Some original paints are often likely duller due to all of the stuff the paint was exposed to. In other case on unrestored cars the surfaces have been cleaner or at least wiped a bunch possibly producing a shinier finish than originally there. Especially on the easy to reach surfaces


-shock tower caps: I assume painted at SJ separately, gloss unknown, probably similar to engine bay ?

We IMO really don't know if the export shock tower caps were modified and painted at the San Jose plant. (not sure where that would have taken place)  or if at the supplier along with the unmodified ones.

-export brace (T-5 or GT-350 DSO): I recall (?) a glossier finish (perhaps 30% low sheen), most probably applied by the supplier (Ford or sub-contractor?) beforehand:

Would agree these often were slightly more glossy almost as if they were dipped in semi-gloss black though I've never found them with dips indicating that they were dipped. Maybe just a different brand of paint/formula that produced that slight glossier finish. Now most of us have seen more service replacement and those appear to me to be even glossier than originals. Just my observation

-LeMans bar (GT-350), not an SJ piece, slightly glossier yet (35%??); long rumoured as being sourced from Traction-Master which I have not validated;

Would agree that it is glossier - closer to the comments made above describing the service replacement export braces

-radiator: painted by Modine beforehand ? (45%+ gloss ??), realize most radiator shops use high gloss but Modine production may have not (?):

We discussed this a number of times in other threads. It is very likely these were painted with gloss black lacquer to help them dry quickly at Western Modine The finish quickly flashes during the first few heat cycles and starts dulling. Splash some water on the finish when hot and it gets even duller.

-horns: supplier painted presumably (perhaps semigloss also ?);

Yes by supplier and from the ones I've seen similar gloss to the engine compartment, battery tray and so on


As mentioned typically people are looking at what is acceptable and that is a finish that does not jump out to someone with experience of looking at unrestored cars. This takes place in judging as well as just personal viewing from my experiences. It would be much easier fi there was a perfect, exact percentage - but then it would be too easy and sort of a "paint by number"  process. I've not found it that way.

[CharlesTurner]

In regards to interior, surprisingly, it was painted before exterior paint and engine bay.  Order:  interior, exterior (color), engine bay


Interior is low gloss, the original Ford code was 9295 for black.  NPD sells a SEM spray match that can be bought in a quart size or can.  Ash tray front painted piece is sometimes a deeper black than rest of interior.  See the same sometimes on steering column upper collar pieces.  I have an original SA dash pic and it shows quite a dramatic difference between the ash tray front and dash paint.


For the shock caps, not sure if the washer ones went through a different process, but regular originals are usually a little more black/glossier than engine bay.  I've found marks on the top and bottom edges that suggest they were stacked before the paint was completely cured.


Anyone that has stripped original parts in a blast cabinet, the paint will fly off some of them, which I suspect were done with straight lacquer.


There's no real science to this, but more an acceptable 'range' like Jeff says.  Even that can be subjective to different people based on their observations.  Always good to start with a mostly original car, but not very common these days.

[camp upshur]

Jeff and Charles:

Appreciate you both for sharing your expertise.

Thank you,
Steve A