grahamc Posted July 27, 2006 Share Posted July 27, 2006 Ok guys, I have decided that the dirty, grubby old engine bay has to go, and I want to paint a load of the plastic items and some of the smaller metal items. Items I want to paint: strut brace mounts (metal) fan cover (plastic) lexan engine cover fuse boxes - small & large (plasitc) battery clamp (metal) radiator clamps (metal) windscreen wiper arms (metal) What is the best way to get it all done? Is it worthwhile trying to do it myself? What are the sorts of things that I will need to get? What type of paint? Can I use spray paint? What about engine bay heat? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garetheves Posted July 27, 2006 Share Posted July 27, 2006 In my old one i painted the spark plug cover, fan shroud, air vent (in front of the fan shroud), both fuse box covers, radiator clamps, battery clamp and bonnet stay. For the plastics i made sure they were sanded first and smoothed off with wet and dry, plenty of plastic primer, few coats of ordinary paint out of a tin from halfords followed by some clear. Everything was out of a tin and very easy to do, just give it time to dry in between each coat. For the metal parts i just used Zinc primer, paint and clear. If im honest though the metalwork didnt really work all that well as it started to chip quite easily but still looked quite good. Have a look in my sig for pics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted July 27, 2006 Author Share Posted July 27, 2006 looks good mate... I am going to give it a try, did you spray paint, or paint in a tin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruff_Rider Posted July 27, 2006 Share Posted July 27, 2006 Your parts probably cjipped easily because of the zinc primer. That stuff doesn't stick very well, unless you buy a really good quality one, in which case you probably wont get the paint to stick to that. Just use normal primer, that's what they do on bodywork! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul mac Posted July 27, 2006 Share Posted July 27, 2006 personally i dont like the "spray everything because i can" look, the black covers can look good and understated, to me every bit of plastic sprayed looks totally over the top and gives the engine that noddy car look, my engine doesn't look like this anymore but you get the idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garetheves Posted July 27, 2006 Share Posted July 27, 2006 looks good mate... I am going to give it a try, did you spray paint, or paint in a tin? Yeah it was the standard halfords spray paint. Dont listen to Paul hes just boring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul mac Posted July 27, 2006 Share Posted July 27, 2006 Dont listen to Paul hes just boring i'de prefer to be called old Gaz, lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garetheves Posted July 27, 2006 Share Posted July 27, 2006 i'de prefer to be called old Gaz, lol I was only messing anyway mate. Looking forward to seeing yours again when its finished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul mac Posted July 27, 2006 Share Posted July 27, 2006 I was only messing anyway mate. Looking forward to seeing yours again when its finished. it will never be finished Gaz its like the Fourth bridge:eyebrows: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mk47 Posted July 27, 2006 Share Posted July 27, 2006 i always thought youd need to use high temperature paint for the engine bay? same like when you spray an exhaust pipe etc? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garetheves Posted July 27, 2006 Share Posted July 27, 2006 it will never be finished Gaz its like the Fourth bridge:eyebrows: Ahh its that old Slippery Slope aint it. Always something else that needs/you want doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted July 28, 2006 Author Share Posted July 28, 2006 personally i dont like the "spray everything because i can" look, the black covers can look good and understated, to me every bit of plastic sprayed looks totally over the top and gives the engine that noddy car look, my engine doesn't look like this anymore but you get the idea It looks good mate, but imagine how good it would look if those 3 main items were painted blue to match... AWESOME! I wonder if anyone can paint shop your picture so we can see all blue....?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted July 28, 2006 Author Share Posted July 28, 2006 i always thought youd need to use high temperature paint for the engine bay? same like when you spray an exhaust pipe etc? Thats what I thought.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul mac Posted July 28, 2006 Share Posted July 28, 2006 I wonder if anyone can paint shop your picture so we can see all blue....?? no no no it'll look crap, oh i give up lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted July 28, 2006 Author Share Posted July 28, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted July 28, 2006 Share Posted July 28, 2006 I've done a few bits in Plastisol paint. You've got to really de-grease and key properly, bits of mine keep flaking where I missed out on proper cleaning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted July 28, 2006 Author Share Posted July 28, 2006 Ok Paul, what pipes can be replaced with metal ones easily in the engine bay, to save painting all of them? Radiator Intake (sensors?) I have a fmic with hard pipe kit on my shopping list, so not concerned about that. EDIT: How did you paint the the bottom section of the engine cover? The bit that sits in front of the cam gears? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul mac Posted July 28, 2006 Share Posted July 28, 2006 Ok Paul, what pipes can be replaced with metal ones easily in the engine bay, to save painting all of them? Radiator Intake (sensors?) I have a fmic with hard pipe kit on my shopping list, so not concerned about that. EDIT: How did you paint the the bottom section of the engine cover? The bit that sits in front of the cam gears? the cam cover was painted in VW dragon green with tins from halfords and a clear lacque on top, rub down with 800 grade wet and dry with a dash of flash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tango Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 Hi guys, what you use to clean the bay for the dirt etc, I do not want to jet wash it, just incase for the ele, will steam clean any good, and what chemical? cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted November 8, 2006 Author Share Posted November 8, 2006 If I remember correctly, steam cleaning is NOT a good idea... waiting to be corrected though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tango Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 What I mean is use a portable steamer and clean by hand with rag. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamc Posted November 8, 2006 Author Share Posted November 8, 2006 Would that even clean the engine then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tango Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 If a steamer would work , then I go get one. Because I do not fancy jet wash it. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Prawn Posted November 8, 2006 Share Posted November 8, 2006 Did mine with some sticky back plastic, a tin of pledge, an old washing up liquid bottle and some help from an adult Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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