Page 1 of 1
To paint or not to paint
Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 8:38 pm
by thepetrolist
..that is the question.
Hi there guys and gals, long time no see! Now I'm back in business after a long winter.
Anyway, I've just started restoring my 1960 LLS and I'm trying to decide on the paint. The powerhead itself is going to be painted black (actually I painted it already with black engine enamel). What I cant make up my mind about is the cylinder head and the crank case. Should I paint it with some aluminum engine enamel or leave it bare aluminum or perhaps just coat it with some 2K clear coat?
What is the general consensus about this?
Cheers!
Niko
Re: To paint or not to paint
Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 9:40 pm
by Oyster 49
Nice to see you emerging from the ice!
The original finish was bare on the crancase and head, and black paint on the cylinder. The one thing I hate to see is engines that have been sprayed over with silver. Horrible!
Re: To paint or not to paint
Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 11:21 pm
by Keith.P
I totally agree with that, a pain if you're restoring and have to remove it all.
You will still have to paint the gearbox.
Re: To paint or not to paint
Posted: Wed May 25, 2016 11:24 pm
by Charles uk
On an LLS Keith?
From memory aren't the bare?
Re: To paint or not to paint
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 12:35 am
by Keith.P
Yes Charles, painted.
It's a later motor, sub exhaust, slotted water way gearbox, go on tell me I'm wrong.
Re: To paint or not to paint
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 12:44 am
by Charles uk
Your probably right Keith I've only had a couple of them & I can't remember any paint.
Re: To paint or not to paint
Posted: Thu May 26, 2016 12:52 am
by Keith.P
To be honest, I think once the slotted gearbox came along they all got painted.
I found a 58-59 LLS in the back of the shed last week, yes I forgot I had it, like you do.
I've not done anything with it, I will have a look and see.
Re: To paint or not to paint
Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 12:28 pm
by Collector Inspector
The Question "To Paint .....or Not" (Well actually not really a question)
How I figure is that paint is how it should be or not depending on model/year.
If painting is a whole new colour scheme because of personal preference or massive corrosion is somewhat up to the individual.
There have been some nasty paint efforts on a poor Old Dear on The Bay over the years.......none of them but covering shit up with no regard to a pleasing asthetic.
The worstest most horrible is Silver with over spray when silver was never an option. Many times this gets my Goat (Ships Cat) screaming....NOOOO!
Paint it nicely whatever you wish as an individual thing by all means. Has to be a good job however approved by your peers. 
Australian early wartime SDs mostly arrived "legit"....or were......painted with silver paint........some interesting undercoats from somewhere underneath......that is by the way.
If you wish to paint then paint the correct bits correctly if originality is the aim.
Paint it anyway you wish otherwise......(Peers as above)
Remember that YOU the new custodian imprint YOUR self on to a lump of years that may well outlive you.
Pause for thought in that.................just saying.
BnC
Re: To paint or not to paint
Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 8:21 pm
by headdownarseup
Couldn't agree more B.
If you must paint something, ANYTHING, make a good job of it. (nothing worse than overspray and general untidiness all over) I think i may have mentioned the 6 P's once or twice before now.
Time earned "weathering" or Patina can be quite attractive in it's own way too. From my perspective it keeps things honest, warts and all!
So, to paint or not to paint that IS the question.
I'm on the fence with this one.
Jon