Painting the air cleaner

[Keycor]

1970 300 convertible, I would like to paint the air cleaner. What would work best for removing the old paint? Should I use flat black or a semi-gloss? I've heard that SEM makes a good product. Thanks for your input. I'm new at this.

 

[Davea Lux]

1970 300 convertible, I would like to paint the air cleaner. What would work best for removing the old paint? Should I use flat black or a semi-gloss? I've heard that SEM makes a good product. Thanks for your input. I'm new at this.

Those were painted with a matt-finish black. You do not really need to remove all the old finish, just use some small grain sand paper to get a good bond. So far no one has reproduced the mopar factory black but there are a number suppliers producing paint that is a close match.

Dave

 

[413]

They were gloss black originally. If you find a survivor you can see the gloss. When they get scrubbed and treated rough the gloss goes away. They do get sandblasted from the debris through the radiator and fan.

EDIT. What engine do you have?
440 HP code U would be a dual snorkel and it is wrinkle finish.
The T code standard 440 is gloss black. So is an L code 383 2bbl.

 

[wish4hemi]

I’m not sure what is correct, but here is another opinion.
Gallery: Restoring a 1970-71 Dual Snorkel Air Cleaner - Mopar Connection Magazine | A comprehensive daily resource for Mopar enthusiast news, features and the latest Mopar tech

 

[Big_John]

I've come to the conclusion that the gloss level varied all over the place. I don't think the guys spraying the paint were real fussy about it.

So... I use Duplicolor engine enamel. They have a gloss, semi gloss and low gloss. I'd probably do the air cleaner in gloss or semi gloss.

 

[73Coupe]

My original paint on my air cleaner is somewhere between satin and gloss, depending on its cleanliness. If I clean the hell out of it and wax it, it's about 75% gloss I'd guess.
I'm eventually going to strip it with chemical stripper, and apply a couple coats of Aervoe gloss black engine enamel. It has great bond, high build, and excellent durability.

 

[Zymurgy]

I would look into power coating, my stuff still looks great 7 years later. I did several pieces including air cleaner and my fan blades.

You won't get a better look because all the old finish is removed. My fan blade still cleans up and looks great. At least for me in Ohio I thought the cost was very reasonable. My guy gave me a quote from pictures.

 

[rapidtrans]

FWIW.
Semi gloss or satin black used on mine. Matched the patina of engine compartment better than a gloss black would.

 

[detmatt]

I’m not a fan of any high gloss in the engine room correct or not. I like a satin finish.

 

[bluefury361]

I just dropped my 67 dual snorkel off at the powder coater along with all the front dress brackets, I have them done in gloss. Gloss black powder coat isn't the same as gloss black paint. It lacks the deep reflectivity of the paint and the finish is closer to OEM. These days for me, close counts. This is a C body driver, not a show car.

 

[bluefury361]

If you are building a show car, it depends on whose judging standards you aiming for. AACA judges like shiny things and will deduct for OEM finishes which tended to be dull and sloppy if done correctly. Ma Mopar wasen't in the business of building show cars. Please yourself.

 

[ayilar]

FWIW, I relied on the Mopar Connection article linked to by @wish4hemi earlier this month when getting the air cleaner on my '71 T-code repainted. I am happy with how it looks.

Pictures of air cleaners can be found at Nick's garage, showing what the original finish would have looked like. The bottom of Nick's page talks about reproducing the original wrinkly finish. The '71 regular 440-4 (a one-year-only design) should look like crinkled:

Here are photos of mine before (left, semi-gloss on the pie tin) and after (right, crinkled) repaint:

 

[bluefury361]

I prefer the crinkle/wrinkle look myself. Problem is the air filter cleaning instruction sticker doesn't like to stick to the wrinkle finish.

 

[rapidtrans]

What ever is in the garage usually works for me. I’m bound to find a black, gray or silver finish rattle can that will work for me.