DIY - ENGINE COVER PAINTED

[nicave13@gmail.com]

I couldn't see any way to maske letters well. Just paint it all then use a nice new permanent ink marker in the color you want. Any hobby store will sell lots of colors. Takes a very steady hand and multiple coats, then clear it with everything else. It also needs drying time.

[Vegas SS]

Yeah, didn't think it would be worth it to mask the letters. How many cans of paint did it take you guys? Say if I were to do the sock silver portion one color and the stock black part another?

[With envy]

On the V-6 cover I did, one can was enough for the "valve cover" sections. I did not paint the center.

Also figure on:

One can of adhesion promoter. (You'll have lots of this left; it only takes a little.)

One can of flexible primer.

I used some other things because of the color I was using, and the fact that I was eliminating texture. SGM needs white primer to look right. If you are doing any kind of metallics, I suggest you do a test shoot to see how it looks with the primer you have. And if you are painting over textured plastic, and want to finish with a smooth surface, get a fast-build primer (also available at local automotive stores) and expect to use most of a can or more depending. For the smoothest finish, remember to sand the primer smooth before applying the color.

And a little hint for everybody that recently I discovered: Fuse box covers are cheap. I ordered a couple at my local dealership for less than ten bucks each. They are made with the same kind of plastic as the engine cover, and in my case, have the same texture. It's a great place to get the hang of painting this stuff, and if you screw it up- it's a lot cheaper to replace than your engine cover!

[Cmitopgun]

I used OPs technique to do my engine cover and fuse box. Came out pretty slick I think.

[InfidelSpartan]

Has anyone ever removed the Chevy Emblem from the V6 engine cover?

Originally Posted by Cmitopgun

I used OPs technique to do my engine cover and fuse box. Came out pretty slick I think.

Nice job, I am looking to go a similar route, How did you get the Decepticon emblem on there? Decal?

[InfidelSpartan]

Well as soon as I last posted on this page I decided to paint my engine cover and fuse box cover.

I was not concerned with a mirror or smooth finish, I wanted a little texture to it and I think it came out pretty good for having absolutely no painting experience.

Colors I used were SIM and BRM, CAI i got from another forum member happened to fit my desired color scheme.

[redleader]

Excellent :-)

[With envy]

Originally Posted by InfidelSpartan

Has anyone ever removed the Chevy Emblem from the V6 engine cover?

I have. It's kind of like flossing your teeth. Don't try to pry it off with a screwdriver or anything similar; You'll just tear up the badge and risk damaging the cover. Use fishing line or something like an electric guitar string. I advise using masking tape to protect the area around the emblem. Grasp a section of the line at each end (you might want to wrap it around spools, handles, or wear some heavy gloves to prevent your fingers from getting strangled). Work it under an edge of the badge (between the badge and cover) and pull both ends toward you. Try to get as much under the badge as you can. Then it's a matter of working it back and forth to cut through the glue. It will take some time, and a lot of effort. Be careful not to damage the surface of your engine cover. The badge will likely be distorted by the time you get it off, so don't really expect to be able to re-use it if you change your mind.

[Cmitopgun]

Originally Posted by InfidelSpartan

Has anyone ever removed the Chevy Emblem from the V6 engine cover?


Nice job, I am looking to go a similar route, How did you get the Decepticon emblem on there? Decal?

I just put a layer of painters tape down and cut out the pattern. I essentially made a stencil from a picture I printed online, traced it on the layer of tape and cut it out. I then painted the fuse box cover and pulled off the "tape stencil" when it was dry.

[justaspade]

Well, with advice from many members here, I would like to say thank you as I have completed my engine cover. Hemi Orange, Stainless Steel and amber LEDs. What do you guys think?

[With envy]

Originally Posted by justaspade

Well, with advice from many members here, I would like to say thank you as I have completed my engine cover. Hemi Orange, Stainless Steel and amber LEDs. What do you guys think?

That looks really cool!

Post more pics! And we'd probably like to hear more details about how you replaced the badge with the LEDs. That looks really good.

[justaspade]

Thanks for the compliments. The LEDs were purchased on ebay from future_led. It is a 12 inch strip. I just glued the strip on the back by the edge, nothing fancy in the shape of a circle. After removing the logo with a small flat screwdriver, I used a hole saw to cut a 3 inch hole. The insert is merely a 3 inch floor drain from Home Depot, sanded and painted to match with Dupli-color stainless steel. The LED wire is run out the back of the cover connected to 2 male-female disconnects so it can be removed without issue. The main LED feed is from my Halos, with inline fuse. I'm not sure how the heat will affect the LEDs in the long run, but we'll see. I kept the insulation on underneath, just cut the hole from that too. If anyone wants to see pics of underneath, I'll remove it and take more pics underneath.

[With envy]

I thought that pattern looked familiar! It looks great back-lit like that. I'm impressed when people look at a mundane object like a drain, and can envision making it into something like this. Very resourceful!

[justaspade]

Originally Posted by With envy

I thought that pattern looked familiar! It looks great back-lit like that. I'm impressed when people look at a mundane object like a drain, and can envision making it into something like this. Very resourceful!

Thank You...