Zenith carburetor paint

[Tom Endy]

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

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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.

[chap52]

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

[Purdy Swoft]

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 .

[jmeckel]

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

[Dino's A]

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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.

[GRutter]

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?

[glenn in camino]

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

[BillCNC]

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

[Larry Jenkins]

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

[Dollar Bill]

+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.

[d.j. moordigian]

Originally Posted by Tom Endy

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

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

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

[Christoph]

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

[Purdy Swoft]

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 .

[rocket1]

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.

[Purdy Swoft]

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 .

[JDupuis]

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

[Tom Endy]

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

[JDupuis]

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

[160B]

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.