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The only color not clear to me is the engine itself. Even though most feedback said it was painted semigloss black, most of the individual parts within the engine compartment are gloss black (stayrods, washer bottle bracket, steering column,brake booster...). It doesn't make sense to me that they would paint the engine color semigloss and the rest of the components gloss black. I looked at older pictures of TR6's, and it looks like it is possible it could be gloss or semi....
Kevin
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Hi Kevin,
I'm pretty sure you can find a rattle can of semi-gloss that will give you the most original appearance on all those parts. There *is* some variance in gloss, from brand to brand.
Actually, I wouldn't have been surprised at all to find different sheens on various parts under the hood, when the car was brand new and fresh from the factory. The engines were being built in one plant, the chassis in another and the bodies in still another. Individual parts were being made elsewhere, both by Triumph and other outsourced manufacturers. It all came together in a final assembly area, where the car was completed. So, I think it's very possible, even likely, black was not consistent from part to part.
Take Lucas wiper motors, for example. Some were painted in part with wrinkle finish black, others had a dark grey "hammer" finish paint. Either is correct on some TR models, there was so much variation right from the original manufacturer.
Semi-gloss is usually around 80% gloss, which compares to 90% for gloss and even 95% for high gloss. Low gloss might be 70%, while flat finish might be close to 50%. So called "underhood" black and chassis paints I've seen seem to be in the 70-80% range. But, again, it varies. At least we can say with certainty that it wasn't flat black originally!
Eastwood Co. probably has the widest selection of black paints, but they are pretty pricey. I'd suggest going to several local hardware and auto parts stores and picking up a few different brands of engine paint, then test spray some parts to see which you like best.
Besides "semi-gloss" engine paint, you might also want to check out "radiator paint". It is also semi-gloss, but has a greater amount of pigmentation, so that a relatively light coating can be used aand will allow for best heat transfer from a radiator. IMHO, it would be good for the engine for the same reasons, providing you can get it in a sheen that you like.
BTW, I've occasionally deliberately used a low gloss or even flat black and then top-coated it lightly with semi-gloss clear, to get the best possible sheen match to other parts. After the clear dries enough to compare, a second or even third light coat of clear can be used to "adjust" the glossiness of the part.
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