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Paint or color matched Line-X in engine compartment

fishinman78

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Apr 28, 2017
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I have another thread going on a my Lubr build but I would like to ask for some opinions on finishing the new metal replacement panels.

http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=281700&highlight=tina

My original intent was to try and keep as much of the original metal as possible and keep the original paint in the engine compartment with minimal touch up. Unfortunately, as the repair went on more rust was found and quite a bit of metal has now been replaced which includes:

Both inner fenders
Both Kick panels
Both toe kick panels and a majority of the front floor/tunnel.

I would like the color to at least match the original which is blue. I have narrowed it down to two options.

1- Repaint the entire engine compartment with the factory color. Wheel wells, inner fenders, exterior of kick panels and the front of the cowl. I feel like this option would be the closest to keeping the originality of the bronco but would probably be much more expensive since there will be more prep involved in making it nice.

2- Color match Line-X the entire engine compartment instead of paint. My brother in law is a Line-X dealer and I talked with him for a while today. He told me that he can take a piece of the original metal and have a color pigment mixed and sprayed that will match the original color. I told him I wasn't super excited about the texture of the Line-X in the engine compartment. He told me he can spray it nearly flat with a very slight texture and a sealer top coat that would allow cleaning to be very easy.

I like the Line-X option because I get the blue color and there is much less prep and ultimately expense. The Line-X would also be more forgiving to imperfections in the surfaces and be more durable, but I like the paint option because of originality. I need to make a decision within a week or so.

Let me know your thoughts!
 

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Teal68

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I'm a fan of color matched liner inside the tub and engine compartment for durability.
 

sprdv1

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I say go for it w/the line x.... Ought to do you right for a long time
 

PickleJar

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Nov 21, 2017
Messages
195
My thoughts exactly

I have been wondering the same thing since I’m getting close to where you are. I am leaning toward the bed liner route. I feel like it will obviously scratch less, and protect the steel better.

What color blue is that exactly?

Attached is where I’m at as of this past weekend, finally got the motor tranny etc out, and will be replacing the same sheet metal you did.
 

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72_EB

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The texture on a color matched liner will hold more grime and dirt (especially on a lighter color). I would stick to a smooth finish in the engine bay personally.
 

rguest3

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Paint the engine compartment body color.

LineX the Interior tub body color and the underside of the inner fenders front and rear black.

Give your color code to Linex and they will match the body color perfectly for the interior tub.

Here is example of a painted engine compartment. Same color will be LineX on the Interior tub. I also spray a Red Epoxy underneath the tub. It looks great and has an Old School look.
 

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fishinman78

fishinman78

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I have been wondering the same thing since I’m getting close to where you are. I am leaning toward the bed liner route. I feel like it will obviously scratch less, and protect the steel better.

What color blue is that exactly?

Attached is where I’m at as of this past weekend, finally got the motor tranny etc out, and will be replacing the same sheet metal you did.

Paint code is S which is Midnight Blue Metallic
 

Crawdad

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Feb 16, 2011
Messages
3,635
Ok I’ll be the one who votes for paint. Not to say this won’t happen in your case but I have seen several botched liner jobs over the years. In fact I just saw one this past weekend. A young lady just paid $5k for a sky blue paint job on her 66 bronco Roadster. I tried my best to hold back all the negative flaws I saw in that 4 month old paint job. She insisted that they not spray a liner on the inside. Well the painter did and after my inspection I know why. The painter covered of rust holes and areas that really needed metal replaced. He also didn’t use sealant around all the panel joints. It’s hard to see it from the inside but from underneath you can tell. I shouldn’t see sky blue liner poking thru panels and rust holes. I wish I was involved prior to her having it painted. $5k is a lot of money on a paint job, she could have gone to Econo Paint and got the same paint job for $800.

I personally like paint. I plan to cover my interior with an ACC rubber floor liner fit for an early bronco. My goal is to not let water inside and sit. I realize it’s gonna happen one way or another but I think adding a liner is over board. With that said I might consider applying it underneath to reduce sound and road debris and such doing its damage. Chances are in the end I may just keep it all paint.
 

tirewater

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I'm for paint. If it's a toss up, I usually pick the option with the least likelyhood of regret. I just don't see anyone saying "I regret I painted the engine bay the stock color"

Anyway, my Bronco has the same color code. I'll be interested in what paint you ultimately decide, single stage or base/clear or liner...
 

ep67bro

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I say paint for the engine bay. With as much work you are doing to the truck I wouldn't short cut on paint. The floor pans and underside you could go with liner on. Heck I really like the idea of color matched liner on the floors. But it is your truck and your money do what you think is best.
 
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fishinman78

fishinman78

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Linex new coating the Ultra would be awesome in an engine bay. Smoother, more thin.

http://www.linex.com/ultra

This is the product I am thinking about using. My brother in law said it is awesome.

I'm probably going to go with regular Line X on the interior in black regardless of what I do with the engine bay. My Bronco has an OEM black mat and I want to reinstall that over the Line X
 

fordguy

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the interior of my bronco was linex'd when i got it. did not like it and removed it, right before i quit driving it to do a frame off. like someone else said it will hold dirt and grease and will stain. you can clean the shiny paint. I used linex i would start and the toe boards and go back from there.
 

Vintagetin

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May 19, 2017
Messages
58
If you paint the engine bay and want to try to match the worn faded original paint, add flattener to the paint to match the current paint sheen. You'd have to spray some test panels to find the right sheen. Just repainting without flattener will result in a higher gloss than the rest of the original old worn paint on the rest of the vehicle.
 

KBUCK1

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Feb 8, 2011
Messages
979
That linex said it sprays on thin. I don't think you'd get the same benefits as you would with normal linex. Plus, the body work or lack thereof will likely show through too. I think either will look goodbut paint will look better
 
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fishinman78

fishinman78

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Looks pretty nice color matched.
 

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markw

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I vote paint it. All that nice new sheetmetal will never look as good as it will with a nice paint job. Liner never looks good for long in the engine bay. Definitely body color.
 
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