Pontiac Engine Paint in Brush Form

Q: Pontiac Engine Paint in Brush Form

I should be repainting my 1968 Firebird’s 400 in the next two weeks. I was wondering if you folks know of any place (chain or mail order) that sells the Pontiac Blue paint. The catch is that I don’t want spray paint. I plan on using a brush, as sprays don’t seem to get into cracks well. I haven’t asked at any of the local stores, but I only remember seeing bright spray paint colors.

A: POR 15 by restomotive laboratories should have the brush on type. I bought some years ago and it has more shine to it that standard engine paint. Also, you could try Bill Hirsch. Both are reputable. Look them up on the net, or in Hemmings.

A: I too have used the POR-15 engine paint. My experiences were that it does seem to have a higher gloss than some others. It goes on rather thick (outside temps were in the 80s when applied), and would show the brush marks on any very flat surface such as the oilpan, valve covers, or valley pan. On rough surfaces such as the engine block or heads, the brush marks cannot be seen.

The sales person indicated that it was more heat resistant than other paints, but I managed to burn the paint off the exhaust ports during the cam break-in period. My carb was running lean at the time, so that added to the heat output.

If the block isn’t cleaned of dirt and grease and hasn’t been scuffed, don’t expect paint to flow and adhere properly. It’s sometimes a little like welding or soldering. The work must be free of contaminants for the best results. Those brush marks will only get more noticable with age, as the paint solvents out-gas and the paint tightens and shrinks slightly.

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