Zenith carburetor paint
 

Does anyone know of an available paint that can be used on a Zenith carburetor that is impervious to fuel?

For years I have been using Top Flite LustreKote. It was available on line and at most hobby stores. However it is no longer available in black. The Top Flite folks are still in business and offer the same paint in other various colors, but for some reason they no longer carry black

None of the Model A suppliers carry carburetor paint. Regular lacquer paint along with lacquer thinner is no longer available in stores here in California.

The lack of a suitable paint has put a crimp in my Zenith rebuilding activities.

Tom Endy

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

https://www.amazon.com/PlastiKote-T-.../dp/B000CPC7C2

I have always used this Hot Rod Black. Nice semi gloss black that matches the Zenith look. Made close to my area in Rockford, IL by Valspar.

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

I have found Rustoleum Engine paint to be both durable and fuel resiststant. Available at Auto Stores and even Walmart.

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

POR 15 black can't be removed with gas or even lacquer thinner after it dries . it can even be applied over tight rust . POR 15 is avail;able in very small cans and can be had in gloss or semi gloss .

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

Glad I have a couple of cans left.
This stuff may work, it is supposed to be fuel proof for models.
http://www.klasskote.com/re-model-crafting-epoxy-paint

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

Tom,
If you are looking for a spray lacquer that is gloss black, you can walk into any Ace Hardware store and if they don't carry it, they can order it for you. The SKU # is 1663590. The order multiple is 6 cans. The brand is Krylon. Should be about $5.99 a can. Do you need just 1 can? By the way, lacquer thinner is still available in California, but I don't like it. The old stuff was great, this stuff has much to be desired.

Dino Falabrino
Arcadia ca.

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

I've was using the black Tech Coat paint from Snyders. Nice satin black.
They recently switched to PlastiKote lacquer. Haven't tried that yet. Can you order for delivery in CA?

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

I think the next time I paint carburetors I'll try some semi gloss black auto paint with hardener. It can be bought in pint or maybe half pint cans. Powder coating is still the best, especially for the engine pan under the carburetor

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

I skipped painting mine and had the 3 done with Cerakote and it was only $40 per carburetor. I can say the coating is very tough and very thin.

Regards
Bill

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

VHT 650 is a semi gloss black epoxy paint that emulates the original gloss on the Zenith carburetor. Use it on my frame too.

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

+1 for the POR-15 You will not regret using it.

I buy the small 4 oz cans (covers 12 sq feet) for small projects. Shelf life is reduced every time you open the can. Be sure to put plastic food wrap between lid and container or you will never get the lid off again - No exaggeration, it happened to me.

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

Tom,..look at this, they also have a "flattner" and thinner..

http://brodak.com/finishing-products.html

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

I am with BillCNC. Cerakote on my carb since about 8 years ... PERFECT !

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

I usually use gloss black lacquer in a spray can because it is redily available here , no shipping cost and cleans up easily . On the other hand POR 15 is good for a lifetime and the only way to remove it would probably be by sand blasting . The fairly low cost of a 4 oz. can of POR 15 would do probably over a dozen Zenith carbs , inside and out .

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

When using por 15 wear gloves because if it gets on your skin it has to wear off and I'm sure it is toxic.

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

POR 15 thinner or good quality lacquer thinner will remove POR 15 if you get right on it before it begins to set up . If it dries on your skin , it will have to wear off . Its happened to me . It wasn't good but hasn't killed me yet . If a person is real active with their hands, It won't take too long to wear it off .

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

Purdy, you mentioned the 4oz can of POR15 was enough to do a dozen zenith carbs, "inside" and out.
My question is...do you paint the "inside" of the carbs as well?
I know that stuff is good, I hadn't thought of doing the inside of the carb.
Thanks. Jeff

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

My thanks to all that responded to this post with suggestions. In particular, D.J. Moordigan who suggested a company called Brodak. I contacted then and have ordered a small container of their fuel resistant black paint.

Several have suggested Por-15. I used this product on several Zenith carburetors a number of years ago. It does not hold up well against fuel and constant heat cycling. When first applied it gives the carburetor a plastic look. After a few years of service it will begin to peel off like a bad sunburn. See photo.

Tom Endy

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

Thanks Tom for your last response. I believe this answers my last question.
I was searching the web earlier today about British cars, and it was recommended to use POR15 to seal the inside of gas tanks. Your results would have me come to the conclusion that I would "not" recommend this application for fuel tank innards. Thanks again. Jeff

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

FWIW

I rebuilt carburetors for a number of years and rebuilt about 100 carburetors. I used PPG DP90LF (Black) epoxy primer.

http://www.custom-aerosol.com/pdf/PP...duct-sheet.pdf

I removed all brass plugs, and made my own plugs that had an Interference fit. Removing the plugs provided a greater degree of assurance that the passages were clear.

I painted all interior passages using a pipe cleaner. The interior and exterior were painted using an airbrush. The final exterior coat was painted dry coat with the air brush to achieve the correct luster for fine point.


Do not be afraid of removing the brass plugs! Start with a small numbered drill bit and increase the drill bit size incrementally until all that is left of the plug is a thin wall brass tube which can be easily removed. If you try to go fast and do not incrementally increase the drill bit size you can bite into the cast iron body and break a drill bit or drill the hole too large of a diameter than you want for an interference fit. Obtain some small diameter brass rod, measure the OD of the brass rod and then drill out the hole so you have an Interference fit. Chamfer one end of the plug and install with a touch of shellac for installation.


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictu...ictureid=37079

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

The POR-15 failed because there was some other paint beneath it. Surface preparation for POR-15 requires degreasing and phosphoric acid bath - No primer. POR-15 adheres best to a rusty surface; seasoned metal and sandblasted surfaces are also acceptable.

From the POR-15 web site - "POR-15 works because it chemically bonds to rusted metal and forms a rock- hard, non-porous coating that won't crack, chip, or peel. It keeps moisture away from metal with a coating that is strengthened by continued exposure to moisture"

The only caution for POR-15 is that it must be top coated if exposed to UV.

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

You can always try this way;

Japan Black recipe

Or get it already mixed;

Japan black already mixed

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

KG Gun Kote -Satin Black 2401S

Impervious to fuel, looks great, extremely durable.

Airbrush it on...

http://www.kgcoatings.com/products/p...eries-gun-kote

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

Read post 21 !!! What Dollar Bill says hits the nail on the head . It was very obvious to me when I saw the picture . If a person can't follow the supplied instructions , to the letter , Its best not to use the product . Any type finish will fail without proper surface prep as well .

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

Use ca use AERO GLOSS Flat Black, found in most hobby stores

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

Epoxy paint is forever. The trick is to find a quality semi gloss black epoxy.

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

My thanks again to D. J. Moordigan, post #12. I ordered a can of black fuel proof paint from Brodak. It is a dull black and is certainly fuel proof. I dipped the head of a bead blasted bolt in the paint and let it sit overnight. I then submerged it in gasoline for several hours. The paint remained unaffected.

I also obtained a can of similar paint from Sig mfg Co. It is a gloss black and is also fool proof as I subjected to the same bolt test.

Both companies have a web site. Brodak is located in Pennsylvania and had no trouble shipping to me in California.

Both paints are called a Butyrate dope.
Brodak is dull black
Sig is gloss black

See the attached.

Tom Endy

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

Thanks Tom for the thread and the follow up.

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

Read Post Number 10. The best.

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

The Pontypool japan black is the high gloss version of 'Japan black'. this may be closest to the version used to flow paint Model T's. You may be able to add rosin to it to flatten the finish to be close to the carb paint desired

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

Corn gas will destroy Japan Black.

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

Brodak's dope is made by Randolph Products. I get mine from Wick's Aircraft Supply. Aircraft Spuce and Specialty is another supplier of Randolph dope.
Cheapest by the gallon. AeroGloss a Pactra product is no longer available, bought out by Midwest Products. Been building R/C models for years.

Re: Zenith carburetor paint
 

I use black Rust Oleum Engine paint. Gasoline resistant, great color, very lasting. I paint all my carburetors with this.