Side vents- Body Color??

[magicmarto]

Hi All,
Hope you all had a great weekend.
I'm considering having my side vents painted my body color.
I know some of the original cobras had the side vents painted to match the main body color.
If you have them painted to match your car, can you please post some photos here.147240

Thank you
Martin

[Cobradavid]

Here's a "before" pic:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=50272&d=1454544637

And a couple "after" pics:
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=50271&d=1454544620

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=28803&d=1399319682

Personally, I like the vents painted to match the body color. It makes the vents seem more like a functional feature vs. highlighting them as a design element. I drove my car for 4 years with polished/clear coated side vents and then decided to put painted vents on it.

David

[David Hodgkins]

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=49178&d=1451252630

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=49163&d=1451252619

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=58342&d=1473351121

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=92414&d=1535841454

:)

[j.miller]

The reason some of the originals have the louvers painted is because they just didn't bother masking them off. Do it the way you think it looks best to you. If you want people to see them ,leave them unpainted. If you want them more demure then paint them. If you choose to paint them it is best to have them powder coated first. Paint loves powder coat,,,,powder coat loves raw aluminum...... Paint and aluminum....not so much. To paint aluminum you really need an epoxy primer over treated aluminum...da bat

[BEAR-AvHistory]

https://www.ffcars.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=192 0,fit=scale-down//media/npx.44464/full

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=147389&d=1620193320

[GoDadGo]

I agonized over the side louvers too and ended up painting them to match the car and am glad I did.
Sorry I stink at posting pictures so hopefully, a couple of videos and some links for the sale of CSX-3178 will suffice:

Factory Five #8,515 Graduation Video:
https://youtu.be/9WEe6-wdNtA

Go-Dad's Louver Bending Video:
https://youtu.be/QyMN73IW6I8

CSX #3178 Sells @ Sothebys In 2016 Picture Link:
https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/mo16/monterey/lots/r194-1965-shelby-427-cobra-csx-3178/380123

CSX #3178 Sells @ Mecum In 2021 After An Extensive Restoration Where It Was Returned To Its Original Color & Configuration:
https://youtu.be/M-rNwHqfIew

What I love about the painted louvers is it doesn't draw your eye to the louver, but you see them nonetheless.
I really think that this little detail gives the car a true production look.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I’ve probably done 20% painted to 80% left raw. Builder’s choice. If you opt for painted do what da Vat said and get them powder coated satin black or gray.

Jeff

[j.miller]

I’ve probably done 20% painted to 80% left raw. Builder’s choice. If you opt for painted do what da Vat said and get them powder coated satin black or gray.

Jeff

..."da Vat"...."Vat" like , a tub, a bucket,,,,a,,,,,a,,,,,a TROUGH ! I mean sure I put on a couple pounds but.......OH! would ya look at that ! The B is really close to the V. Hmmmm, bet it was all a mistake. Good thing I didn't make a big deal out of nothing........................................... .. YOU KIDS GET OFF MY LAWN !!! geeeeez, can't get a moments peace around this place.

[cnutting]

Painted

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=92501&d=1535933410

[phileas_fogg]

If you want to "try before you buy" you can always wrap the louvres with 3M's 1080 wrap. It comes in loads of colors & textures.


John