requesting info on calyx exhaust dressing and underhood black finishes

Jim Weise is doing a motor for me soon so I figured it'd be a perfect time to clean up the engine bay. The manifolds need some serious cosmetic help and so I dug into what was out there and found out about this stuff.

How messy is it? From what I have read it fully cures once the engine runs and the manifolds get hot, but does it dry at all after you apply it and before you run the engine? I guess I have this idea in my head that the stuff will be like anti-seize compound until it cures and that it will get everywhere and stick to everything and make a mess, especially when you go to put the manifolds back on the heads.

On a related note...can someone confirm or correct the following finishes:
firewall: chassis black
frame: chassis black
control arms: satin black
inner wheel wells/fenders: satin black
core support and radiator cover: satin black
full size car air cleaners (those with the "455-4" decal): satin black

Thanks in advance.

 

The Por-15 manifold paint works awesome

 

That stuff works great! Not messy at all. You can use a foam "brush" or your finger with some nitrile gloves or even a rag. It also works great on master cylinders and cast iron brake calipers. Rub it in and wipe off the excess and your done. My experience with Por-15 was that it only lasted a couple of years before rust started happening again. That's when I started using the Calyx to freshen up the manifolds without having to remove them. .................Y.M.M.V.

 

So does it dry to the touch after you wipe off the excess?

 

You can save some money and get the same results by using Crane Assembly Lube. The two products are the same, just labeled differently.

 

does semi-gloss black = satin black?
I used Rustoleum semi-gloss black on the firewall, fender liners, control arms, rad cradle, rad top plate and frame.
Me thinks that the breather is gloss black

 

I don't know, I never touched anything after applying. I'll have to test a couple spots and report back.

 

All air cleaners were gloss black. Don't make that big mistake and paint it anything but gloss.

 

Also all original firewalls I have seen were pretty flat.

 

The Calyx stuff is Awesome. Nice thing is you can always touch it up with a finger. Can't do that with a paint. The little tub lasts forever. A little goes a long way

 

Thanks for the info guys...I'm reading elsewhere that people tend to like the calyx dressing but it can be messy to use and will rub off on your fingers.

Current black is flat and dusty

 

Remember that over the years, the paints lose their gloss.

 

The Calyx is like shoe polish. It can be messy, but with gloves and a rag it is easy to apply. Like shoe polish it can be buffed with a rag to remove any excess. Leaves a nice sheen.

 

Once on you have no real reason to touch the manifolds anyway so you will forget they are messy.

 

Well, today I tested the master cylinder that I coated this past spring and it was dry to the touch. No smearing at all.

 

Thanks for checking!