Engine Cover

[Coolidge]

Originally Posted by mlee

That looks REALLY REALLY good... a must on this car especially w/ IOM... nice Job...

I'm finding that most people think they just come from the factory that way. You might be surprised at how many comments you don't get from those who don't know.

I just got my Strut Brace done today.. to go along with the cover...

I find that red plastic cover hideous but this looks sweet!!

[pglorioso]

Originally Posted by gmgdave

No worries...however we had to redo it as the clear could not be sanded. The process noeeds to be as follows;
1. Prep and clean surface
2. Shoot with silver or other base color
3. Clear coat the silver
4. Shoot the top color and let dry
5. wipe off top of letters with fine rag and reducer, change rag alot and keep it clean. Only clean the letters. let dry
6. Clear coat or coat as need over entire cover.
7. Bake in paint booth (option) but I was able to install 30 minutes after painting.

Looks Great

Will have to do mine as well!!!

[htron50]

I agree that the IOM exterior clashes with the engine cover! Great job to both of you! Do you notice the cross brace getting super hot? Mine gets so hot the heat transfers to the shock towers. I'm sure you use a heat paint of some kind! What kind of paints do you use?

[FSTORG5]

Originally Posted by gmgdave

No worries...however we had to redo it as the clear could not be sanded. The process noeeds to be as follows;
1. Prep and clean surface
2. Shoot with silver or other base color
3. Clear coat the silver
4. Shoot the top color and let dry
5. wipe off top of letters with fine rag and reducer, change rag alot and keep it clean. Only clean the letters. let dry
6. Clear coat or coat as need over entire cover.
7. Bake in paint booth (option) but I was able to install 30 minutes after painting.

Keep us posted on any issues. I stopped today at a body shop and they didn't want to do it because they were afraid that engine heat would be an issue long term.

[gmgdave]

I painted the intercooler cover on my MINI COOPER 'S' and it has 34000 miles on it the paint has not been an issue. I also had numerous covers painted for others qwith no long term issues. If it is done correctly there will ne no issues. Alot of body shops do not like this sort of thing because it is not profitable. So they will use another reason say it can not be done.

[itsadryheat79]

I saw a V6 with an engine cover that was painted and it got destroyed by the heat. I'm thinking it was done with a paint that could not hold up to the heat. I have seen lots of painted covers that never had this problem - use good paint

[kona]

Guys...this is going to sound stupid but last night in a dimly lit garage, very late @ night, I went to take a look to see how the cover comes off (I plan on doing this weekend) and for the life of me couldn't see any bolts or clips or something obvious on how to remove it. There seems to be a bolt on the right front side where the air intake is but other than that no go....not ny first rodeo with a wrench but it was dark, I promise
Scott...

[gmgdave]

It just pops off held on to studs with rubber grommets. Gently pull up on there are five locations where it is held in place.

[FSTORG5]

Originally Posted by gmgdave

I painted the intercooler cover on my MINI COOPER 'S' and it has 34000 miles on it the paint has not been an issue. I also had numerous covers painted for others qwith no long term issues. If it is done correctly there will ne no issues. Alot of body shops do not like this sort of thing because it is not profitable. So they will use another reason say it can not be done.

Thanks Dave. It looks great. You just used the OEM body paint correct?
How many miles do you have on it after paint.

[gmgdave]

Yes; used OEM PPG Paint. My MINI has 34,000 miles and is 7 years old, My best friends MINI I had painted red and it is still great after $120,000 and it has been painted for 7 years also. My ZL1 has got 200 miles since painting. Planning on putting on 500 miles this coming weekend. The thing is I clean and wax the cover about every month.

[pglorioso]

Here's another idea! Used Very High Heat Flat Aluminum paint and removed paint on lettering to the original finish

[gmgdave]

Just completed a 500 mile trip and sat in traffic for a long period of time. No issues with the paint on the engine cover, looks like the day it was finished.

[avcbm]

Originally Posted by gmgdave

No worries...however we had to redo it as the clear could not be sanded. The process noeeds to be as follows;
1. Prep and clean surface
2. Shoot with silver or other base color
3. Clear coat the silver
4. Shoot the top color and let dry
5. wipe off top of letters with fine rag and reducer, change rag alot and keep it clean. Only clean the letters. let dry6. Clear coat or coat as need over entire cover.
7. Bake in paint booth (option) but I was able to install 30 minutes after painting.

What is REDUCER?

[gmgdave]

paint thinner in body shop terms