Thread: Painting Engine a Contrasting Color Than Body ?

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I'm building a new engine for my 427 Cobra replica. I painted the body a metalic medium dark blue. The first time around was in 2002 and painted the block the same blue. This time, I'm thinking about a contrasting color on the engine like the popular orange, like the Vetts etc....

It looks like a lot of pro Hot Rod builders are doing this. What's your thoughts ?

It makes it pop

I used to paint, and was quite good, but could never be artistic or choose from a palet of colors on what goes well together.
My wife says the same about my clothing !

Anyway, blue body, what engine color ?

same white as the stripes?

Ford blue-----------

Ford red?.........

A friend said white, but that would be a pain, to keep clean.
I would like a metallic color, nor factory color. My wife said MOPAR Plum Crazy Purple.

On my late wife's 86 dodge diplomat, I had some fun.

Painted it Mary Kay pink and purple. Contrasting colors on bolt heads, valve covers, even painted the belts.

She would drag race the local cops: her diplomat was an old cop car.

She said, the look on their face when she would pop the hood after a race... Priceless.

She never lost a race. She said the D.A.R.E. car (a mustang) wasn't SHIP.

I had her running a Quatrojet dualjet. (Two barrel bolt-on replacement for a quadrojet. Only made for two years.)

I had a Carter quad on the shelf, all dialed in. Told her that if she ever lost a run, i'd swap the carbs and she would rematch.

Never needed it.

Anyway, have fun. Primary colors contrast best.

Originally Posted by FUNFER2

A friend said white, but that would be a pain, to keep clean.
I would like a metallic color, nor factory color. My wife said MOPAR Plum Crazy Purple.

This is the '65 and earlier Ford engine color which would be period correct for a Cobra and will contrast very nicely with the darker metallic blue exterior color.....
http://deargraham.com/wp-content/upl...ze-620x413.jpg
.

Originally Posted by firebird77clone

On my late wife's 86 dodge diplomat, I had some fun.

Painted it Mary Kay pink and purple. Contrasting colors on bolt heads, valve covers, even painted the belts.

She would drag race the local cops: her diplomat was an old cop car.

She said, the look on their face when she would pop the hood after a race... Priceless.

She never lost a race. She said the D.A.R.E. car (a mustang) wasn't SHIP.

I had her running a Quatrojet dualjet. (Two barrel bolt-on replacement for a quadrojet. Only made for two years.)

I had a Carter quad on the shelf, all dialed in. Told her that if she ever lost a run, i'd swap the carbs and she would rematch.

Never needed it.

Anyway, have fun. Primary colors contrast best.

Lol,....great story !

tech- sorry, I don''t care for that blue or the blue on the GT-40. Awesome cars, bad colors.

I see a red door and want to paint it black.
No colors anymore I want them to be black

The blue on this engine is a Sperex VHT candy blue over a silver underbase http://www.clubhotrod.com/photopost/...Wheelstand.jpg

It's clear that you're wanting to add some interest to your engine compartment vs using OEM color choices, which is one of those " It's your car, it's your choice" things. For me, I wouldn't paint a Ford engine "Chevrolet Red-Orange", regardless what the complementary color wheel shows, and Firebird's story of painting bolt heads, valve covers, and belts(???) different colors just wouldn't work for me. I know it wasn't for you, but Tech's selection of the early Cobra engine would look great, to me. If you're wanting pop, how about a nice, bright yellow?

You might go to your local paint store and pull a card that matches your "medium dark blue", and compare to other colors to find what pleases your eye. Your auto paint store can mix up a good auto paint to match, and then you can either have them put it in a few rattle cans, or use one of the PreVal type sprayers.

Google "Complementary Colors" and read up on how to pick colors that complement, contrast, or harmonize. Or just let your wife pick the color..... but tell her no pink, no purple

Originally Posted by 34_40

I see a red door and want to paint it black.
No colors anymore I want them to be black

Hahaha! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4irXQhgMqg

If you paint the engine in that Cobra some disgusting to other Cobra owners color, you will really lower its value$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$