Chris Craft Engine Plaque Restoration

[WoodenBNut]

I have a 1964 CC with a 327 GM engine with the usual engine information and serial # information on it attached to the exhaust manifolds. I would like to restore these brass engine plaques. Does anyone know where I can get matching blue and red paints that is heat safe to repaint the lettering and background on these engine plaques? I am thinking that I will need to do it with a small/fine artists brush. I figured someone has done this before and would know where to get the paints. Thanks

[jermedia]

there's plenty of Chris Crafts up around lake Winni in NH. Ivan of the wooden boat shop does lots of CC restoration, and there's another one or 2 in town (Wolfeboro) also: there's a couple listings in Wooden Boat mag for Grey marine engine guys... basically the same engine out of detroit. Try them.

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

You can do a good job with a carefully cut stencil too. You don't need high temp paint. These engines don't run hot enough that you can't put your hands on them for the most part. The thermostats are 160's if I remember right. I painted my engines with car paint.

You can also buy the plates as brand new repro's on ebay sometimes. They don't have the serial no stamp on them, and they come with the brass rivets. They usually sell for about 100 buck US.

[WoodenBNut]

Thanks for the info on painting the Chris Craft engine plaques. I'll try my hand at it with a fine artists brush and matching auto paint as the plaques are it decent shape except for the paint and I don't want to pay $100.00 for new plaques with no engine data or serial numbers.

[Mike Dawson]

I assume that you have already checked with the antique boat place on Vine St. in St. Bernard.

[WoodenBNut]

Thanks for the info. Yes, I have purchased some excellent blue CC engine paint from the Antique Boat Store on Vine St. In Cincinnati. Very good paint BTW. Here is some additional info that I found in reference to CC engine plaques: Brass Engine plaques (4) on exhaust cooling mainifolds - clean/repaint with dark blue & red paint and then spray on a high temp clear enamel (http://www.caswellplating.com/vht/vhtclear.htm $9.90 a spray can)
use VHT high temp clear coat to prevent oxidation.
*** You don't need the high temp paint - but the clear enamel will prevent oxidation of the shiny/polished part of the engine plaques and then you will have something that really looks good and should not tarnish quickly.