[xk] Red on valve covers

XK
1

What color red is in the background of the cylinder heads and oil filler cap? And, what is the best way to prep and paint?

David Glueck
S 819024 DN

2

In reply to a message from David Glueck sent Sun 17 Jan 2010:

David,

You did not mention which XK, or if you did I missed it, but on the
XK120 I believe the letters are filled with black if anything, not
red.

Karl–
karl
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3

In reply to a message from David Glueck sent Sun 17 Jan 2010:

David,

I interpret your question as referring to the red color of
XK120/140 C heads. Other heads properly wear other colors,
e.g., bare metal, robins egg blue/green, pumpkin etc. as
delineated in XK1x0 reference books.

I recently painted the C head of our XK140 with Massey
Ferguson tractor red paint, using an aerosol can obtained
from Tractor Parts Inc. (http://www.tractorpartsinc.com/,
part number HTP761SP) – no affiliation.

The color looks to me to be ‘‘spot on’’, as our British
colleagues would say. In my experience the TPI paint
strikes is high quality, and goes on easily after scrupulous
surface cleaning using a strong organic solvent (e.g.,
lacquer thinner or acetone) and a strong bristle brush.

In fact I also used this paint for the JAGUAR recessed
letters in the oil filler cap. Note however I was dinged
for this as ‘‘incorrect’’ on my XK120 by a JCNA judge — but
we all know how imponderable such judgments can be. In any
case, the red lettering looks great, to my humble eyes.

Hope this helps,–
The original message included these comments:

What color red is in the background of the cylinder heads and oil filler cap? And, what is the best way to prep and paint?

–
–Gary ('54 XK120 OTS S675866, '56 XK140 DHC S817720)
Salt Lake City, United States
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4

In reply to a message from David Glueck sent Sun 17 Jan 2010:

My extremely original 140 Type-C had black paint ‘‘in’’ the lettering
of the oil filler cap, but I too will paint the ‘‘JAGUAR’’ red…so I
guess I’ll get ahold of that tractor red.–
Lee140FHC
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5

Gary L;
The 120’s never had a red painted head… maybe silver paint, more often
that not it was natural aluminum…
The Lettering “in” the Oil Filler Cap was Black on the 120’s. I suspect
it was only red on those 140 with the “C-Type Head” to match the cam covers
badges…
Charles #677556.----- Original Message -----
From: “GaryLindstro”

David,

I interpret your question as referring to the red color of
XK120/140 C heads. Other heads properly wear other colors,
e.g., bare metal, robins egg blue/green, pumpkin etc. as
delineated in XK1x0 reference books.

Gary ('54 XK120 OTS S675866, '56 XK140 DHC S817720)
Salt Lake City, United States

6

In reply to a message from Bishop sent Sun 17 Jan 2010:

As I said, Chas(may I call you Chas?), my 140 Type-C had/has BLACK
lettering as per factory…the reason RED lettering gets dinged by
concourse judges. I think the red looks better, however.–
Lee140FHC
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7

As I said, Chas(may I call you Chas?),

  No.
 Charles #677556.----- Original Message -----

From: “Lee140FHC”

8

In reply to a message from Bishop sent Mon 18 Jan 2010:

‘‘Charles’’ it is…glad I asked…–
The original message included these comments:

  No.

–
Lee140FHC
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9

My matching numbers '53 OTS has red and only red in the “Jaguar” on the filler cap, and an unpainted head. I think it looks good, though black would be a reasonable choice as most of the pictures in the books show either no color or red, and black on a restored car or two.

It’s most likely then that my car had no color on the cap, someone painted it later. The spinners show no paint at all.

In my head while typing this I’ve changed the stupid cap’s ‘Jaguar’ color 4 times. It’s a miracle when my socks match.

Oil fill cap
Oil fill cap1600×1200 193 KB

10

I notice the 710 cap has been polished, too…:wink:

1 Like
11

My only question is, what hole in the time-space continuum did we fall through to leap back 10 years to answer what color red the 710 was supposed to be?

2 Likes
12

:smirk:

2 Likes
13

A lot of information can be gathered in 10 years. Ya never know who’s tuning in now and what new info has been gleaned. Quite a few new books have been written in that time.

14

OVERpolished.
…

1 Like