Leon Speed

Refering to an old cam cover color thread, as dr bob said:

If you would try to reproduce the original color, which RAL codes (http://tinyurl.com/79xaesw) would you combine? Multi layer or just mix?

dr bob

The base coat is a yellow chromate-colored primer. Then Zermatt Silver (70's-80's 911 color too). There was no clear-coat but probably should have been. Finish is not a high gloss, so when you apply clear to protect the silver, add a little flattening agent to it, and keep the film thin. Most clears will yellow with the heat in the engine bay. Closest easy match is Wurth "wheel silver' spray, but the metallic is slightly different size.

Leon Speed

Great info dr bob. I realise I left some info out, since I want to powder coat the cam covers. So I was thinking about a silver finish with a slight gold teint. I'm not familiar with powder coating but assume it is a one coat process. With your info the powder coater should be able to recommend what colors come close.

WallyP

A new factory intake (which should be the same color) is a pure silver with no trace of gold.

dr bob

^^^ What Wally said.

The "gold" hue is the chromate primer color leaking through the silver color coat as it deteriorates. With no clear sealant coat on the original, the silver color coat is fully exposed. It wears, and is also suffers with contact with harsh detergents and certainly petroleum solvents and cleaners.

Rob Edwards and Greg Brown have worked with the local powder-coating house to get a color we like, and it's a good color match. The challenge is getting the metallic part just right. Powder paint doesn't match the metallic and never will, since there is no good way to "float" the metalflake portion well in the color. If you want an exact match to the original, powder-coating is not a good option, at least based on what we've seen with our painter so far.

Leon Speed

Ok, thanks! I think I have enough key words to take to the powder coater, see what he can come up with. Close enough is good enough for me.