FYI FORD MustangSteve's Ford Mustang Forum / Paint Touch Up inside the cowl

**Posted by Toploader** 7/24/2024 11:04 PM

I saw something on social media where someone painted inside their cowl area, just below the cowl fins to tidy up the paint. Apparently they used a rattle can with an extension tube off the nozzle. I only want to paint the area that is visible through the cowl fins.
Has anyone done anything like this?

After touching up the paint, I then wanted to spray some of that translucent rust proofing wax stuff further up in and around the hats etc. Has anyone done this and what product did you use?

My cowl area was replaced over 20 years ago and there are no problems, but as with anything to do with metal and rust, I want to be vigilant.

**Posted by BobE** 7/25/2024 7:11 AM

I used Eastwood's rust proofing in the cowl area. The fenders were removed at the time. I used the wand (like 12-15" long) that Eastwood sold, and inserted in the holes at the ends of cowl.
My cowls were in good shape and were not replaced.
I'll note that I used that rust proofing pretty much everywhere (doors, rocker panels, frame rails, etc.) as the car was completely apart.

**Posted by MS** 7/25/2024 10:29 AM

When I painted my 66, I carefully masked off the upper surface leaving all the cowl vent slots open. Then, sprayed through the vent slots. It worked great.

Then, when Mastercrap painted my car in 2010, they left all their sanding dust in there and did not bother to clean it out before they piled a ton of paint and clear coat on it to seal it as a trash pile for eternity.

In my opinion, flat black undercoat is the best thing to spray in there. It makes the area invisible to your eye. That way, a bright body color does not draw your eyes down into the cowl. Seems like the Eastwood spray can with a wand that reaches down inside is the best way to go

**Posted by Toploader** 7/25/2024 2:42 PM

Thanks guys! Excellent information.
With the rustproofing after paint touch up, what product do you think is best to get in and around the hat area?

**Posted by MS** 7/25/2024 9:11 PM

In my opinion, if you do not remove the top to gain full access to the hat area, anything you do is a waste of time because there will be a bunch of busted up seam sealer and existing rusty surfaces that won’t benefit from a blindfolded application of anything.

At minimum, remove the heater box and driver vent assembly and reach through the holes to do the best cleanup you can do. Make a bent paint brush so you can reach through the holes to brush (whatever you decide to use) on the perimeter of the hats. I am a believer in using those plastic hat sections that you can RTV in place, just in case of any rust-through on the vertical sections. I have had them on my 66 for over 30 years now. Installed as a precaution.

**Posted by Toploader** 7/26/2024 4:22 AM

Thanks MS. The cowl area was repaired 20 years ago and I did get paint all around that area. It's been garaged since then too. I don't think there would be too much trouble in there. I'm just being cautious more than anything...
With the plastic sections that you are referring to, are these it?

**Posted by Toploader** 7/26/2024 3:46 PM

BobE wrote:
I used Eastwood's rust proofing in the cowl area. The fenders were removed at the time. I used the wand (like 12-15" long) that Eastwood sold, and inserted in the holes at the ends of cowl.
My cowls were in good shape and were not replaced.
I'll note that I used that rust proofing pretty much everywhere (doors, rocker panels, frame rails, etc.) as the car was completely apart.

Thanks Bob! What product did you use?

**Posted by BobE** 7/27/2024 6:01 AM

I looked at the Eastwood website and I'm not sure they sell it anymore. It was called "Anti Rust" came in quart containers and you sprayed it with a spray gun they sold in a kit with different wands.
I bought this like 35 years ago (boy, does time go by fast!), and it was like the "Rusty Jones" that was being sold to apply to new cars at that time.
Eastwood does sell a 'rust encapulator' product that may be a better product today, suggest calling Eastwood for their advice.

**Posted by MS** 7/27/2024 6:51 AM

Toploader wrote:
Thanks MS. The cowl area was repaired 20 years ago and I did get paint all around that area. It's been garaged since then too. I don't think there would be too much trouble in there. I'm just being cautious more than anything...
With the plastic sections that you are referring to, are these it?

Yes, those are the ones. Slathered with loads of high quality RTV