brake master cylinder painting

[geraldt52]

Should the cast iron body of the master cylinder be painted black, and if so, flat, satin, or gloss?  Should the cap be painted the same color/sheen...and the "bail" as well?  I assume painted off the car so no overspray onto the brake lines?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Bob Gaines]

Should the cast iron body of the master cylinder be painted black, and if so, flat, satin, or gloss?  Should the cap be painted the same color/sheen...and the "bail" as well?  I assume painted off the car so no overspray onto the brake lines?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Semi gloss black painted as a unit off of the car. Rubber plugs were placed in the line fitting opening so paint would not contaminate the master. One was about the size of a nickel and the other about the size of a dime. When plugs were removed after painting they left a bare machined surface.

[geraldt52]

I thought that was probably the case, but as I was replacing the master cylinder it would be as easy to do it correctly as to guess.  Thanks for the detailed info...

[azdriver]

A related question. Are the two spacers between the master and booster painted black or left their natural color??

Thanks, Pat

[J_Speegle]

A related question. Are the two spacers between the master and booster painted black or left their natural color??

Thanks, Pat

The unit (master cylinder and booster) were assembled when painted as Bob described so yes the spacers were in place and painted during the process in the exterior and visible surfaces of the spacer

[geraldt52]

So if the master was assembled to the booster when painted, then I assume it follows that the studs and nuts that mount the master would also be sprayed black...at least partially?

[J_Speegle]

So if the master was assembled to the booster when painted, then I assume it follows that the studs and nuts that mount the master would also be sprayed black...at least partially?

Yes the two studs and nuts are typically painted the same semi-gloss black on cars that were 67-70 Shelby's You didn't happen to mention what year your asking about so just choose one of the two possibilities (differs depending on when and where the car was built) for the picture below that provides an example of a typical paint job by the provider of that type of assembly


So clips from larger pictures in the period




Picture of an original 67 Brake campaign booster and master cylinder (reason for the red paint marks)




Additional example

[Bob Gaines]

The red paint marks was to signify the installed updated check valve. This would be applicable to 67 and maybe early 68. By 68 all of the defective check valves had been replaced and so the marking was not needed.