Correct paint color for Air Cleaner-'40 Roadmaster

[michel88]

Talk about a "Doh" moment. A while back I started up my '40 Roadmaster, that had been sitting a few weeks, by taking off the air cleaner and squirting some starting fluid in the carb. I let it warm up a while, then I decided to pull it out of the garage so it wouldn't fill up with exhaust fumes. I left the hood up and got in to pull the car out. I forgot I had set the air cleaner in front of it and ran into it when the car moved forward. I put a dent in it to my chagrin.

Now I am rebuilding the engine and painting it. I have repaired the dent in the air cleaner and now need to paint it. It is a gray color with a slight green tint and I believe it is the original color. My friend who is doing the engine rebuild thinks it should be black. Can anyone who has a '40 Buick with the 320 cu. in. engine verify the color of the air cleaner?

[michel88]

If anyone with a 1940 Century, Roadmaster or maybe a Limited could let me know the color of their air cleaner (air filter), gray or black? I would appreciate it.

[BUKE]

HI. i have centure (60) and it is black

have a great BUICK day

Frank

[michel88]

Frank,

Thanks very much. Not sure why mine is gray but I will paint it black.

[Matt Harwood]

I also believe it is a semi-gloss black, not flat or glossy. I did mine in 60% black powdercoat and it looks quite authentic.

Hope this helps.

[Guest imported_JPIndusi]

Matt:

I agree with your suggestion for the semi-gloss finish. I don't recall the use of gloss black on 40's and early 50's air cleaners.

However, I did acquire an air silencer for a 46 to 48 Buick that was new in the box from a dealer. It had the original decal and it was flat black. Now perhaps for replacements they used flat black while on OEM they used the semi-gloss. I am not sure. What say you?

Joe, BCA 33493