Crinkle Finish

[88911coupe]

I just got back from checking out the progress on my coupe and was admiring the Ferraris and Lambos being worked on at the shop. I noticed the Ferraris have a red and black crinkle (not sure of correct term) on many of the engine parts like the valve covers. What type of finish is this and can it be done by the doityerselfer? Is it very durable?
I was thinking it might look cool on the intake runner or valve covers.
TIA

[thomschoon]

You can buy it in a spray can from most parts stores. It is called "wrinkle finish" and comes in several colors, you can also prime and paint over if you want a color match.

[Chuck Moreland]

Wrinkle finish was actually used on those engines to improve heat dissipation. The wrinkle ridges increase surface area.

[RickM]

When attending a couple for Ferrari Concours events the judges were ultra anal about how perfect the wrinkle was on the car components...too thick, too thin, wrinkles too crowded.....unbelievable.

As mentioned above it is available from many places. There is probably a technique to inspire standard paint to do the same. A google search may help.

[911pcars]

Chuck,
While I wouldn't put anything past the boys at Fiorano, if they wanted to substantially increase the surface cooling area I'd think they'd just have valve covers with fins. IMO, the cooling difference between crinkle paint and an "orange peeled" or flat black paint is fairly minute but with a larger gap to a polished surface.

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

[yelcab1]

Purely for looks. The often referred to name is: "wrinkle paint." And you can get in any parts store as long as it is not California.

I got mine mail order.

[masraum]

Wrinkle finish is also available for powder coating.

[billwagnon]

what kind of wrinkle paint does the 73 911 interior use? the little plate on the center of the hump in my car needs to be repainted. Can I use any kind of wrinkle paint?

[Hetmann]

Eastwood has a variety of wrinkle finishes. Search on "wrinkle".

[Randy Webb]

Just remember that this finish is hard to clean...

[Bill Verburg]

Originally posted by Randy Webb
Just remember that this finish is hard to clean...

Exactly, back when I raced motorcycles we extensively used wrinkle finish(haven't a clue if it actually reduced temps, it sure looked cool though!) but it sure was a b**** to keep clean, The standard spray can stuff worked pretty well.

[304065]

Standard paint and an oven to heat it up-- used on antique airplanes.