Flat black hood

[DC871F]

Does anybody know the significance of a flat black hood with rest of car painted?

What paint would I use to paint it, or clear coat?

[JonnyRock]

Significance? I've never known it to be anything other than a stylistic choice, or a necessary one when replacing a hood and you're low on funds.

I think you can get away with a careful rattle-can flat black job on a hood. The Z has a pretty large hood, but it's definitely doable. There's an article from one of the import mags (I can't remember if it's in the mag or on their site) in which they rattle can an entire WRX. They do it all up in flat black and end up very pleased with the result.

[geezer]

Alan T. explains it best in this linked post.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showpost.php?p=31693&postcount=7

[HS30-H]

Heat dissipation was certainly one concern on the Japanese race cars, but that 'look' became de rigeur at some unidentifiable point. Fashion following on from function I suspect.

A big point that I didn't note in that original post was that the Works rally cars in particular had flat / satin black-painted bonnets ( hoods ) and wing ( fender ) tops to prevent reflected light from blinding the driver and navigator......

Driving in rally events - often in seasons and locations where the sun is low in the sky all day - at times of day where the sun is likely to be right in your eyes, can be downright dangerous. Sudden reflected sun glare when travelling at 140kph down a gravel road lined by trees and piles of logs, can be buttock-clenchingly surprising!

During the late Sixties and early Seventies it was the 'done thing' to prep the cars this way. I don't see it on modern WRC cars, and I guess that it might have fallen out of fashion to some extent - even though the same phenomenon must be encountered. Maybe they have non-reflective sponsor's stickers and polaroid windscreens or something?!

[five&dime]

I love satin black hoods. I don't know why I just like the contrast depending on the exterior color of course. I painted the hood on my orange 510 satin black. I was planning on painting her orange later but decided to keep it as is b/c I love it so much. I used PPG epoxy primer which came out satin.

I just painted a friends truck satin black using single stage paint and will shoot my hood with that soon. If you really want it to be nice, I would shoot it with black followed by clear coat with a little flatener added to it. You want to go satin though. If you go flat, generally everytime you wash it or rub against it, there is a high probability it will scuff the finish.

[Jeff G 78]

My hood is black, but it's only because I haven't had the car painted yet. It certainly looks better than the green /primer hood that used to be on my car, but still looks crappy compared to a body colored hood.

[Unkle]

Lately the kids leave the hood black to show off the carbon fibre . The tuners spend upwards $3000 to show off a 30 lb weight savings and to have that custom look. Other legit reasons ? Dunno.

[Jeff G 78]

Yours looks great 5&D. Your 510's satin black hood really breaks up the bold orange. Orange is a great color, but it looks even better when it has a contrasting color added.

I have considered swapping my big bumpers with fiberglass 240 bumpers and painting them satin black. If I do that, then I might do a satin black hood, black front air dam and black rear spoiler as well. I think it might look good with my gray Panasports and light gold car.

[Sailor Bob]

I think it looks pretty good as is Jeff. I am thinking of a black spook, BRE spoiler and wheels for my 73.

Edited November 21, 2008 by Sailor Bob

[Jeff G 78]

Just ask Ron (Geezer). He knows that the pictures hide many of the flaws in my car. It's a really clean car, but it looks much worse in person. Some day, if I ever have any money, I will have it painted.

[Jeff G 78]

I think it looks pretty good as is Jeff. I am thinking of a black spook, BRE spoiler and wheels for my 73.

I think that would look good. The spook always seems to look best if painted black. I like black wheels if they have a polished lip.

[five&dime]

Sailor Bob.... I think your spot on with your goal. When I get my S30, I would like a red one with a black hood, black or charcoal Watanabe's and black front & rear spoilers