Transmission paint or not

[jobberone]

putting freshly mildly built 727 back in my 70 Superbee. It has a nice bright aluminum finish. The car won't be a trailer queen nor will it see be a daily driver. I'd like to keep the undercarriage as clean as possible. I like the look of aluminum. It doesn't rust but it does absorb oil and other unwanted stains.

Are most of you painting your transmission or leaving it with the natural aluminum finish? I realize this is a mostly a matter of personal taste but those of you who do show your car may have some advice I could use.

I have no idea what color I would use nor what type of paint would work best.

 

[Hemi Rebel]

I've painted mine and left them natural. When I did paint one it was black. There are a couple trans specialist shops around here that paint theirs. One does green, the other is blue. Not appealing colors, but if you come across one you know where is came from.I've left them natural lately. Nobody can see it. If it makes you feel better knowing that hunk of metal under the car has paint, go for it.

 

[MoparMitch]

I usually paint mine with cast blast or something similar. Makes it look close to bare aluminum and is easier to keep clean if you need to.

 

[jobberone]

I usually paint mine with cast blast or something similar. Makes it look close to bare aluminum and is easier to keep clean if you need to.

That's kind of what I'm thinking. I'm thinking of gun metal which also looks natural. I'll ask about the cast blast. Thanks.

 

[zyzzyx]

This paint is about $6.00- $7.00 / can. It looks absolutely beautifull on leaf springs,
brake drums, lower control arms, etc. It will make the trans look great, and make it easy to wipe-down!

 

[NJRR]

If you like the way it looks now, you can spray it with a clear coat that will protect it from absorbing any oil, grease or dirt stains.

 

[BumperMan]

Zyzzyx where can you get that paint at?

 

[Lionized]

If you like the way it looks now, you can spray it with a clear coat that will protect it from absorbing any oil, grease or dirt stains.

Similar to an intake manifold, clearcoat will yellow and look terrible in no time. The heat is not friendly to clear.

The stainless pigment should be available at your local jobber. If not ask if they can order it for you.

 

[sleepar]

My 66 trans still has the factory grease pencil mark on the tail stock so I scrubbed it down with purple power decreaser and an 80 # sanding sponge around the marking and hit it with hi temp engine clear to seal the deal. Looks like a new trans. Thought about going around with a small paint brush and detailing in the factory marks on the rear end where their starting to peal off in places.... this car will be the nicest 4 door coronet 440 since '67.... once I am done.
Let it yellow makes it look 45 year old from factory.... patina

- - - Updated - - -

Painted pan black hi temp and mount bracket also and bolts separately.

- - - Updated - - -

View attachment 195142
This paint is about $6.00- $7.00 / can. It looks absolutely beautifull on leaf springs,
brake drums, lower control arms, etc. It will make the trans look great, and make it easy to wipe-down!

That's the silver the degenerates buy and blow there brains out on.... so it's got to be rugged stuff. Great tip... and lock it up so you don't get broken into for it.

 

[jobberone]

If you like the way it looks now, you can spray it with a clear coat that will protect it from absorbing any oil, grease or dirt stains.

The paint guy and I talked about this and neither thought of this simple answer. Thanks. It will yellow with time esp with the heat from the tranny though.

- - - Updated - - -

My 66 trans still has the factory grease pencil mark on the tail stock so I scrubbed it down with purple power decreaser and an 80 # sanding sponge around the marking and hit it with hi temp engine clear to seal the deal. Looks like a new trans. Thought about going around with a small paint brush and detailing in the factory marks on the rear end where their starting to peal off in places.... this car will be the nicest 4 door coronet 440 since '67.... once I am done.
Let it yellow makes it look 45 year old from factory.... patina

- - - Updated - - -


Painted pan black hi temp and mount bracket also and bolts separately.

- - - Updated - - -



That's the silver the degenerates buy and blow there brains out on.... so it's got to be rugged stuff. Great tip... and lock it up so you don't get broken into for it.

I cleaned and/or blasted the shifter levers along with some other hardware and coated them with RPM (Rust Prevention Magic) about $35 from Amazon. You heat the hardware with a gun, hair dryer or put them in the oven at 300ish. When warm to hot you paint this stuff on. High sheen initially then dries to a little darker natural finish. I did one lever without blasting and just cleaned in well with a brush, carb cleaner and sandpaper and it looks a bit more older and more natural for a 44 year old car. I may try that stainless steel spray on some other parts.

Still not sure about the tranny. My pan is black. Thinking an enamel spray might be best; heat resistant.

 

[sleepar]

Vht high temp paint and clean with liquor thinner before prime and wet sand with 400 between final coats 2 then I let them sit for 2days... tough stuff I let the engine bake it off but have used an oven before.... gave the food a different' tang so I quit with that....

 

[747mopar]

I sprayed mine with an aluminum paint.

 

[Coyoteduster]

I don't care for them painted, clear coat & go. ;)

 

[sleepar]

:happy1:I like to put a ground strap from the mount bolt to the cross member....

 

[jobberone]

:happy1:I like to put a ground strap from the mount bolt to the cross member....

Can't tell if you are joking or not but I thought they all had a ground strap. Or did I miss the entire point of the popcorn??

 

[sleepar]

some do some dont but i change it out or add one 8ga thought i would toss it out there... i dont know how the popcorn got there....

 

[383man]

I also paint mine with cast blast the stainless steel look. That way if any paint would peel its hard to tell since its like an aluminum color underneath. But I have not had it peel on me and I like the natural look the cast blast gives it. Ron

 

[aldal]

At one point I was told that black paint on the tranny will help to radiate heat and lower the transmissions temp....is this true or just B.S.?

 

[jobberone]

some do some dont but i change it out or add one 8ga thought i would toss it out there... i dont know how the popcorn got there....

LOL. Ok. Sry if I offended. Did you make your own? I think mine is original and I'd rather replace it than clean it up.

 

[zyzzyx]

Sorry I took so long to reply. I live in Northern Illinois, and I took a ride out to DeKalb Il., to "The Parts Place" and bought six cans for what I needed.

They ship I believe, but it is considered a hazMat so good luck. The company that makes it is also in Illinois, but they do not sell to the public.

As far as cooling goes, bare aluminum dissapates heat better than anything with an insulating coat of paint on it. Radiator guys say "Don't paint" radiators

for this reason.