Question for the ones who have done this. Did you put a primer coat on first or something before applying the wrinkle? Prepping the aircleaner or anything else being wrinkled I guess is what I'm saying.

Yes
Prep the parts like you would for any other paint
etch primer, primer, sand
The wrinkle finish dosn't hide anythig if you have rust pits make sure you fill them

Ive used the Eastwood paint. Worked great. I dont remember if I primed it or not. I also used the grill out side so the wife wouldnt kill me.

I don't prime them, I just paint over bare metal (as did the factory) be sure the metal is super clean and use a good acid based metal prep like Ospho first.

The wife would kill me for cooking an air cleaner at home. Its kind of like the guys who do a transmission in the bath tub....

I appreciate the feedback. I'll probably go VHT or HD and report back.

My car is rare in my eyes, but nowhere near correct for now. It will never be one of those perfect restorations, but i do want to be as accurate as I can one day.

Its a 318 car to begin with, but all other options are less common so I love the car for what it is.

Its the wrong color, wrong motor, wrong trans, raised hood, cut-out dual exhaust valance, etc.

I do want the air cleaner to turn out nice though.

Used VHT and I love the way it looks!

What kind of paint is on the inside of the air cleaner? Wrinkle or Gloss Black

I painted the inside gloss black. I see no reason to use the wrinkle paint on the inside and would never consider leaving it bare steel.

I recently restored one for a friend and I used Eastwoods black self etching primer.

Instead of using the oven to keep the wife happy..
Use a heat lamp for about 30 minutes..

Just my $0.02..

I did that with my Hemi Valve covers and I could not keep the wrinkle consistence from one side to the next. The oven was by far the best way to do it for me. It was even better when it was not my oven!!