Car Ready for Paint - do I colour match the engine compartment?

[dvnen]

My 74 Rallye Charger is ready for paint and my painter is suggesting painting the engine compartment in a flat black as opposed to the the colour of the car.  His rationale is it will get dirty easily and difficult to touch up if it gets scratched.  The car is being painted citron yella.  Any suggestions?

[terrible one]

Sounds kind of stupid to me. I would paint the bay the same color as the car.

[gtx6970]

Your painter is being paid to paint it the color you want. Not the color he wants, so it's your decision not his.  Mopars are body color under the hood

[jaak]

sounds like your painter is a chevy guy, lol. I would paint it body color, I think thats what makes mopar engine bays stand out more than others. My opinion.

Jason

[Silver R/T]

id paint it body color, you have to be careful when installing engine. Put plenty of rags there to prevent scratches. after engine is installed you dont have to worry about messing up your underhood paint unless you got battery explosions.

[B5 Charger]

I agree you should paint it body color.  Painting it black makes the engine bay look like you were trying to cut corners.

[Nacho-RT74]

Body color

[Doc74]

I agree you should paint it body color.  Painting it black makes the engine bay look like you were trying to cut corners.

Having a black enginebay will be a dead giveaway of a cheapo fix, slap the bodyguy around the head a bit until he's back to his senses.I've been doing this for over 15 years and believe me, most bodyguys need plenty slapping 
If the person installing the engine would be scared to scratch the paint then you need someone else who can do the job.
Besides if you assemble the entire front end you can install the lot from below as opposed to dropping it in, way easier and safer.
Just my 

[nh_mopar_fan]

>Re: Car Ready for Paint - do I colour match the engine compartment?

Only if you want to do it right.

It drives me nuts to see blacked out engine compartments.

Your painter must be a Chebby guy.

[tan top]

body color

[dvnen]

ok...seems like a majority.  The engine compartment is pretty close to immaculate - so if the black will look like I cut corners, I would rather not do it.  It did make for a great contrast against the yellow fenders.  What about the truck area - I am assuming the same decision there as well???  Thanks for the input..

[Doc74]

ok...seems like a majority.  The engine compartment is pretty close to immaculate - so if the black will look like I cut corners, I would rather not do it.  It did make for a great contrast against the yellow fenders.  What about the truck area - I am assuming the same decision there as well???  Thanks for the input..

A trunk (I hope you mean) doesn't have to be body color, unless you want the factory look. Engine bays nearly always have body color while trunks can have a flat black or grey, like Mercedes or just overspray since most trunks have upholstery.
Will you have any upholstery in there or will the most if not all of the metal be visible? I'd always insulate my trunk for noise and looks but if it stays bare I'd give it the exterior color as well.

[TylerCharger69]

Body  color.....definately  body color....That's one of the things that separates Mopar from the others.  Painting it flat black is just a cheap, easy way to clean up the engine bay.   But   DEFINATELY   body color!!!!

[B5 Charger]

Once again I must say body color on the trunk paint.  It will also look like you cut corners if you paint it black or use that Chevy speckled paint in there.   

[tan top]

body color on the trunk floor/ inner wheel wells/ inner rear light panel & dark gray primer on the back of the quarters with body color over spray.

[4402tuff4u]

Tell him you want the car to look as if the car was totally dipped in the body color of your choice without the runs of course! That means inside out, underneath, etc... Black areas can always be added afterwards!

[MassCharger73]

I hope your guy's bodywork skills are better than his choice of colors.

[dvnen]

Geez we are getting nasty now!!  It will be a bit more work but I will get painted the same colour. Where does the paint stop and black begin.  I am assuming the inside frame rails and K member are black and the rest yellow?  Does anyone have a close up picture of a painted engine compartment that I could follow?  Also, what about the trunk, does that matter as much and if so how will it look with yellow urethane paint over the factory undercoating on the sides??  thanks for the input

[hemi-hampton]

Paint Engine Compartment & Trunck body color. Only Chevy's & Fords had them Black, Either your paint guy dont know this (probably not) or he is trying to take shortcuts. OR, You get what you pay for & depending on what your paying this may not have been part of the deal. All this takes extra time which means extra money & something that should be decided & discussed long before Resto Starts. LEON.

[my69]

sounds like your painter is a chevy guy, lol. I would paint it body color, I think thats what makes mopar engine bays stand out more than others. My opinion.

Jason

[dvnen]

fair enough..it was me that was undecided and my body guy leaning toward black because it was obviously less work.  The engine compartment has been prepared for body paint colour.  Thanks for all the comments...much appreciated.

[4402tuff4u]

fair enough..it was me that was undecided and my body guy leaning toward black because it was obviously less work.  The engine compartment has been prepared for body paint colour.  Thanks for all the comments...much appreciated.

Post some pictures when you get a chance...........love to see Charger projects coming along in their rejuvenation.

[Steve P.]

If not body color, CHROME...

[Charger_Croatia]

Body color. I know for sure that's what I'm gonna to do with my car.

[Sledge57]

Have it done like mine USED to be.

Four-Tone = Original body color + New body color + Flat black (for contrast) + RUST





On second thought go with BODY COLOR