I have reached a point in my build where the paint is comming together. The painter has the car on the rotisserie buffing and painting the trim. When I was there yesterday, he had not painted the firewall when he painted the rest of the black trim. Looking at it it actually looks really good red, mostly because the red came out real nice.
What do you think? Should I have him go back and paint the firewall black?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/psy4s/1967%20German%20Import%20Camaro/Paint/6e11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/psy4s/1967%20German%20Import%20Camaro/Paint/6e8.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/psy4s/1967%20German%20Import%20Camaro/Paint/6e6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/psy4s/1967%20German%20Import%20Camaro/Paint/6e16.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/psy4s/1967%20German%20Import%20Camaro/Paint/6e17.jpg

The red looks a little flat because it has been wet sanded here and not yet buffed.

I'd stay with the red.

Stay with the red. The gloss make it easier to keep clean.

Christopher, what are your plans for the inner fenders? will they be red also?

Mike

I am biased since mine is body color, but in the end its your car if it makes you happy... groove on it!

On the note of inner fenders... if you go red firewall you will want to go red inner fenders also though, I think.

While a painted firewall looks more modern or sleeker, I've always liked a satin black or semi-gloss black firewall to make the engine stand out. To me, unless the firewall is smoothed, it's ugly and non-uniform. I like calling attention to the engine under the hood. My $.02.

I personally cant stand fire walls and engine compartements to be painted body collor reguardless of the type of build.

As for being easier to keep clean, I disagree.. My 69 has the firewall painted body collor and its sucks to keep clean. I cant wait to pull the engine and put it back black.

I vote black.

one word sums it up "MOPAR":sad: sorry guys with the painted firewall

Black

I personally cant stand fire walls and engine compartements to be painted body collor reguardless of the type of build.

As for being easier to keep clean, I disagree.. My 69 has the firewall painted body collor and its sucks to keep clean. I cant wait to pull the engine and put it back black.

I vote black.


You are correct. No firewall is easy to keep clean. By "cleaner" in my post I simply meant more modern or easier on the eyes since it blends into the body. By no means is car's firewall ever clean if it is used often.

one word sums it up "MOPAR":sad: sorry guys with the painted firewall

My thoughts exactly. I've said the same thing for years.

Mine came back from paint quite some time ago, and has been sitting in my garage awaiting funds/time for reassembly. While I'm sneaking up on that, I had pretty much decided I wanted my firewall painted the body color. And as mentioned, that means inner fenders, and I would do my radiator support too.
Now I'm thinking I may just go ahead with black, and if I don't like it, I can pull it apart NEXT winter, but I don't want to hold up the car at this point.

So guess I'll be staying black for awhile.

Nothing better looking than a nicely done black engine bay with an Orange and Chrome engine that should be getting the attention. Is the car stock or custom? You can compromise with a gloss black firewall and inner fender wells. I would say a satin finish is easier to keep clean for what is worth!

I have no opinion...........
Up till recently, everything I have restored has been as close to original as possible. I think it just depends on what you are doing with the rest of the car. With that said, why would someone go mostly original and paint the firewall and bottom of his car body color?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v724/3shields/69%20camaro/69-2010-0430002.jpg

:yes:Oh my!!!:yes:

i would paint it black, i dont like body colored firewalls, it takes awayfrom the main focal point of the under hood, the engine.

I prefer to paint my firewall body color , it's just a personal preference , and I usually paint the underside of the hood body color also . Inner fenderwells can be either black or body color , but unless I'm going after a mono look , black usually gets the nod . However , I do not like the core support or subframe body color , it doesn't have to be black though , I like to see some sort of grey or charcoal to give some contrast to the body color .

It may not be everybody's cup of tea , but it's kinda what I like . Here's a pic of my Chevy II that I used to own for example .

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b62/sheby2/104_0175.jpg

Here's a '39 Stude that I did a few years back

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b62/sheby2/68%20Camaro/JN-H-1.jpg

One I did a few years ago .............uh ...... ok , 21yrs ago ! 1989 ! A 68 vert , RED red with white top and deluxe black houndstooth ! That young man giving thumbs up is my son (who is fixing to turn 29 !:eek: )

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b62/sheby2/68%20Camaro/Race%20car%20pics/conv3.jpg

The One Lap Camaro , which I think has an exceptional engine compartment !

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b62/sheby2/68%20Camaro/june2013207.jpg

And finally Chill's Jackass , a really clean updated conventional compartment .

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b62/sheby2/68%20Camaro/DSC_2306.jpg

Bottom line , build what you like , ultimately that's who you're going to have to please !:D

Original for me, but it is your car. Do what makes you love it!

That pic is very much like the current state of my car, including the color :), but I have rally wheels and not motor. My firewall is black, and my block is black.

Nothing better looking than a nicely done black engine bay with an Orange and Chrome engine that should be getting the attention. Is the car stock or custom? You can compromise with a gloss black firewall and inner fender wells. I would say a satin finish is easier to keep clean for what is worth!

You know chrome retains heat more than polished aluminum etc.... Ya can chrome my bumpers and trim i reckon but keep it off my engine! :thumbsup:

Assuming its not a number-matching original or a restoration to make a the car look as original as possible I say paint it AND polish it :thumbsup:

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i86/dparks69/69%20Camaro%20Project/reassembly2010.jpg

Unless you're doing a concourse restoration... do what ever YOU like.
My Opinion: I would paint the firewall.

unless you're doing a concourse restoration... Do what ever you like.
My opinion: I would paint the firewall.
x2

If the body color is black, paint the firewall body color. Otherwise, paint it black. :)

It's only paint, do what you like.

Well, after talking to the painter, he has spent allot of time smoothing and painting the firewall. It really looks great in red, and actually it sounded like it really would kill him to have to go over the smooth Red with Satin Black.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/psy4s/1967%20German%20Import%20Camaro/Paint/6e9.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/psy4s/1967%20German%20Import%20Camaro/Paint/6e11.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/psy4s/1967%20German%20Import%20Camaro/Paint/6e10.jpg
This orange 69 really sold me. You know, it really stands out. It does not detract from the engine. My engine is Chevy orange on the block, but the heads are natural Aluminum AFR's, the intake is a Edelbrock AirGap RPM with Endurashine, and the valve covers are Chromed ball Milled Aluminum. I'm sure it will speak for itself. This is just one of those little questions that eat at you, what you should do; vs. what do you want to do. My inner Fenders and Core support are still black, but my Radiator and fan shroud are Aluminum. I have an upper trim that runs between the Header Panel, and the Core support that is black Aluminum, and an Aluminum block out panel that goes under from behind the chin spoiler back to the cross member to force the air through the radiator. It is silver on top and black Raptor Coat on the bottom for protection.

I have no opinion...........
Up till recently, everything I have restored has been as close to original as possible. I think it just depends on what you are doing with the rest of the car. With that said, why would someone go mostly original and paint the firewall and bottom of his car body color?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v724/3shields/69%20camaro/69-2010-0430002.jpg

Greetings from Arizona
If you look at my Photobucket, I have pictures of 4 cars, 69 Camaro and 67 Elcamino painted black, My Daughters 63 (Kims Nova) all painted Speedway Blue with LOTS of chrome, I didn't think I'd like it, but it really POPS when you open hood and My friend Mikes Nova done in Red...Do it your way...I also Like that orange camaro..want to see it done! There are tough choices in building your car, but as long as you are happy with final result. My 66 Lemans also posted has firewall and inner fenders done in high gloss powder paint. I don't really like it...its always so dusty looking. Jay