This might be kinda trivial in the grand scheme of things, but the coolant bottle in my '73 just bugged me every time I looked at it. It was yellowed and dingy after 32 years. I tried a variety of solutions to clean it up, but the yellowing remained. I think the combination coolant/heat and plastic had taken its toll.

All the used coolant bottles were in the same shape. I did see one nice clean NOS unit on eBay, but it went for over $100. :mad:

Seeing that I really don't need to "view" the fluid from the outside (I think I am capable of taking the top off and just looking inside! 8O ), I decided to paint the coolant bottle to match the Elky. I first used "Krylon Fusion For Plastic" (http://www.krylon.com/main/product_template.cfm?levelid=5&sub_levelid=10&productid=1751&content=product_details) as a sort of plastic primer. I ordered some matching GM code 74 paint in a spray can from Tower Paint and Design Center (http://www.towerpaint.com/) to use as a top coat. I've had good luck with their products in the past.

So, I'm asking for opinions on the look via a poll or comments. Plus, should I then follow the same procedure for the windshield washer bottle? Just to match things up?


Before:
http://elcaminocentral.com/albums/album402/a73elkyss_original_2.sized.jpg

After:
http://elcaminocentral.com/albums/album402/a73elkyss_installed_1.sized.jpg

8) looks good i'd keep it 8)

8) WOW! It does'nt even look like the same bottle! I like it! :cool:

PaPa John

I'd say if you want people to notice it, leave it the body color. Otherwise you could paint it black, to "hide" it.

i think it looks very nice! Keep it :D

Now that's an imaginative idea... I'd have added add one more "feature" though... when painting you could have placed a thin strip of masking tape vertical on the bottle so that when it was painted and you remove the tape you now have a clear area where you can view the coolant level.

Also, $100 for collant bottles? I just bought a new one for my 5th Gen for $15 at the last car show, the vendor has boxes of coolant and washer bottles of all sorts, all perfect, all $15 or less.

Thanks for the opinions guys.

77SS wrote:
you could paint it black, to "hide" it.

Hummm... that's an interesting idea. I might try that on the second "used" coolant bottle and compare. Thanks Steve.

LeoC2 wrote:
Also, $100 for collant bottles? I just bought a new one for my 5th Gen for $15 at the last car show, the vendor has boxes of coolant and washer bottles of all sorts, all perfect, all $15 or less.

I'll have to keep checking, but 4th gen parts are a bear to find. I've seen plenty of 3rd and 5th gen new bottles, but haven't come across a 4th gen yet.



Thanks again! 8)

Great idea! It's amazing what you can do with makeup. As soon as I decide on a color I'm getting one.

You need to make sure that kloenie from Holland sees this! It'll look great with his color scheme.

It sure catches your eye when you look under the hood. I think I agree with Steve about painting it black to "hide" it.

However Jay, I know you, and I don't think you'll really be happy with it until you get a NOS clear one. Am I right?

8) Hey a73elkyss! I've seen new ones listed on ebay.

PaPa John

looks sharp, I like it.

PaPa Johns' 77 wrote:I've seen new ones listed on ebay

I must keep missing them. I search all the time for coolant bottles for 4th gens. I've not found a fourth gen replacement. I do searches for El Camino, Malibu, Chevelle, Monte Carlo. I've tried to find the exact replacement, but can only find ones for 3rd and 5th gens. The '73 was a different shape. If you ever see a 4th gen coolant bottle, please email me at jlevitan@holycross.edu


87ElCamino wrote:
However Jay, I know you, and I don't think you'll really be happy with it until you get a NOS clear one. Am I right?
Very true Ernie. I've only seen one NOS one on ebay and I was bidding against 7 or 8 others. I dropped out at $50 bucks and it went for a little over $100.

I have a second "yellowed" used bottle that I'll clean up the best I can and then try the black to see which I like best. But at least for now, it is not that crappy yellow stuff.....LOL.

Thanks for the opinions.

I like the painted solution, but I think you should have painted it dingy yellow.

Mrapii wrote:you should have painted it dingy yellow

:D I always enjoy your sense of humor Robin. Now, if you could only tell me the paint code for GM "Dingy Yellow"....I'd be all set.

I like the painted solution, but I think you should have painted it dingy yellow.

That's pretty funny.

How about this....

Paint the upper half white, and the lower half neon green.

8) Dingy yellow? I had a 66GTO that color :P I like the neon green idea it would be popular with the sport comp guys! :-)

PaPa John