What's the best engine paint, in MG Maroon? : MGA Forum : The MG Experience

What's the best engine paint, in MG Maroon? #1
purpleGT Bud Osbourne Pittsburgh, PA., USA Sign in to contact 1956 MG MGA 1500 1972 MG Midget MkIII 1972 MG Midget MkIII 1974 MG MGB GT "The Grape" & more	Topic Creator (OP) Mar 31, 2015 12:36 PM Top Contributor Joined 16 years ago 4,501 Posts

Finishing up the rebuild of an 18G, which will go in my MGA. I'm pretty much ready for paint, but I don't know who makes the best MG Maroon. Any of you guys have some experience you can share with me?
So far, I'm thinking POR15 or Bill Hirsch, but I'm completely open to suggestions.
Thanks!

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Re: What's the best engine paint, in MG Maroon? #2
wyatt Wyatt W penguin point, Michigan...drift ice, Antarctica Sign in to contact 1957 Porsche 356 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1960 MG MGA & more	Mar 31, 2015 12:42 PM Joined 18 years ago 44,196 Posts

acrylic enamel from an auto pain store....

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Re: What's the best engine paint, in MG Maroon? #3
bikermga Peter Tilbury Surrey, BC, Canada Sign in to contact 1956 MG MGA 1958 MG MGA coupe	Mar 31, 2015 12:53 PM Joined 15 years ago 1,589 Posts

For the last two engines I rebuilt, I used MOSS rattle can. However, it is affected by antifreeze in rad water which can leave a stain if it gets on the paint. One can does one engine, with a little left over.

Peter.

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Re: What's the best engine paint, in MG Maroon? #4
blue64 Paul Hanley Eastern Chesapeake Bay, MD, USA Sign in to contact 1959 MG MGA Twin-Cam 1964 MG MGB	Mar 31, 2015 05:53 PM Joined 19 years ago 4,118 Posts

Hirsh paint ain't even close! Moss paint WILL get ruined by the slightest drops of coolant which, imho, leave the standard bearer--tried and true, reviewed here dozens of times, duplicolor Dark Canyon Red. 3 coats.

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Re: What's the best engine paint, in MG Maroon? #5
wrayg wray brady West Chester, PA, USA Sign in to contact 1959 Triumph TR3A 1964 Triumph TR4 1968 Triumph TR250 1968 Triumph TR250 & more	Mar 31, 2015 07:07 PM Joined 16 years ago 257 Posts

Bud, I used the Moss paint on my recent rebuild. Barney's site has several hardware store options, but I just added it to a moss order i needed. One can was barely enough, particularly if you do the ancillary parts. Two allows for generator, intake manifold and heat shield I think without looking at my car. You are at the fun part for sure.

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Re: What's the best engine paint, in MG Maroon? #6
Tbird ET Taylor Land O Sky, NC, USA Sign in to contact 1960 Ford Thunderbird 1960 MG MGA 1600 1961 MG MGA 1600 1972 Triumph GT6 MkIII & more	Mar 31, 2015 07:10 PM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 2,348 Posts

I've had great luck with POR15 - MG Maroon.

There might be a slight discoloration with fuel or anti-freeze but I haven't really noticed it. Best part is you can apply it with a brush and it lays flat like it was sprayed - in fact I would suggest brushing it on.

Don't get it on any clothes you want to keep and it will have to wear off your skin grinning smiley

Eric

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Re: What's the best engine paint, in MG Maroon? #7
purpleGT Bud Osbourne Pittsburgh, PA., USA Sign in to contact 1956 MG MGA 1500 1972 MG Midget MkIII 1972 MG Midget MkIII 1974 MG MGB GT "The Grape" & more	Topic Creator (OP) Mar 31, 2015 08:36 PM Top Contributor Joined 16 years ago 4,501 Posts

Thanks for all of your input, guys!
At this point, I'm leaning toward the Duplicolor Dark Canyon Red (over a primer, and with clear coat over top), or a PPG acrylic enamel, which I'm told my PPG dealer will mix and put in an aerosol can.

I'm hearing things about the Moss paint getting discolored by coolant leaks, as well as being a bit (as in significantly) more expensive than Duplicolor. Not sure what the PPG stuff will cost me, but I need to pick up some air saw blades, from my auto body supply store & PPG dealer, so I'll find out, then.

The POR15 stuff is an option, also, but gets pretty expensive by the time it's all said & done.

One problem I'm having is finding the Duplicolor Dark Canyon Red, around here. It seems to be a closely guarded secret, or something. I'm hoping my NAPA store can sort that out for me.

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Re: What's the best engine paint, in MG Maroon? #8
purpleGT Bud Osbourne Pittsburgh, PA., USA Sign in to contact 1956 MG MGA 1500 1972 MG Midget MkIII 1972 MG Midget MkIII 1974 MG MGB GT "The Grape" & more	Topic Creator (OP) Mar 31, 2015 08:45 PM Top Contributor Joined 16 years ago 4,501 Posts

Finally figured out why I've been unable to find Duplicolor's Dark Canyon Red. It's not engine paint! Well, since I've gotten a LOT of favorable comments about it, as an engine paint, I'll trust it over a primer and top-coated with clear.

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Re: What's the best engine paint, in MG Maroon? #9
Dbutler Dave B Fort Wayne, IN, USA Sign in to contact 1960 MG MGA 1600 "White Diamond" 1979 MG MGB Limited Edition (LE)	Mar 31, 2015 09:32 PM Joined 10 years ago 46 Posts

Hirsh, it's not like any other paint. Dries like a powder coated surface, rock hard. Brush or spray, it flows nicely.
Sounds like several good choices, good luck with your pick.
Dave

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Re: What's the best engine paint, in MG Maroon? #10
blue64 Paul Hanley Eastern Chesapeake Bay, MD, USA Sign in to contact 1959 MG MGA Twin-Cam 1964 MG MGB	Apr 1, 2015 07:37 AM Joined 19 years ago 4,118 Posts

The Hirsh paint I received was salmon color. Spoke to Mr. Hirsh and of course, I was the only one too ever complain about it. Yea, right.....the one on the left is the Hirsh as is the piece on top of the right generator. The right generator is Duplicolor DCR.

btw, DCR is not engine paint and, does not need to be. It will hold up fine. No top coat needed.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-04-01 07:39 AM by blue64.

Hirsch MG maroon.jpg 46.8 KB

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Re: What's the best engine paint, in MG Maroon? #11
purpleGT Bud Osbourne Pittsburgh, PA., USA Sign in to contact 1956 MG MGA 1500 1972 MG Midget MkIII 1972 MG Midget MkIII 1974 MG MGB GT "The Grape" & more	Topic Creator (OP) Apr 1, 2015 07:44 AM Top Contributor Joined 16 years ago 4,501 Posts

Thanks, again, guys. It looks like the two front runners, in my mind, are Duplicolor Dark Canyon Red and Rustoleum Merlot, with PPG acrylic enamel also a strong consideration. Primary considerations, besides color and durability, are price and ease of application. I've made up my mind that I will be using a primer, as well as a clear coat.

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Re: What's the best engine paint, in MG Maroon? #12
wyatt Wyatt W penguin point, Michigan...drift ice, Antarctica Sign in to contact 1957 Porsche 356 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1960 MG MGA & more	Apr 1, 2015 07:46 AM Joined 18 years ago 44,196 Posts

Hey Paul, sell those pieces to the Magnette crowd...something about those guys that I can't quite put my finger on.......... smoking smiley

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Re: What's the best engine paint, in MG Maroon? #13
momsauto Dan Craig Ozark, MO, USA Sign in to contact 1953 MG TD MkII "Margaret" 1960 MG MGA 1600 "Michael" 1964 Morgan Plus 4 (+4) "Isadora" 1974 MG MGB GT V6 Conversion "Mirage" & more	Apr 1, 2015 12:40 PM Joined 16 years ago 751 Posts

Something amiss there, Paul. Used Hirsch paint on last 2 builds and it looked nothing like that. Wears well and applies nicely. One vehicle has 5 years on it with no complaints. Can't speak to their customer service - never had an issue.

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Re: What's the best engine paint, in MG Maroon? #14
blue64 Paul Hanley Eastern Chesapeake Bay, MD, USA Sign in to contact 1959 MG MGA Twin-Cam 1964 MG MGB	Apr 1, 2015 01:45 PM Joined 19 years ago 4,118 Posts

Dan, I agree. Something amiss there indeed. Same pix were sent to Mr. Hirsch. He stood by his product and I'm spending every moment I can, to simply display his product. I call it MG Salmon!

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Re: What's the best engine paint, in MG Maroon? #15
Restoman Dana R Aiken, S. Carolina, USA Sign in to contact 1954 MG TF 1500 1959 MG MGA 1500 1967 Jaguar E-Type Coupe 1968 MG MGC GT & more	Apr 1, 2015 03:12 PM Joined 13 years ago 720 Posts

Paul, I had the exact same results with his paint way back in 2008. No answer back from him.
Good product, just wrong color.
Gave it to a friend with a TD, seems it's closer to the early MG red, than maroon.

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