Painting the Engine Cover

[Tecca]

I went to three paint shops today because I want to get my engine cover painted silver to match the exterior. All three places wouldn't touch it because they said the paint will peel off. Anyone know if this is true or have any other options???

[live2well]

I've painted a few dodge engine covers...
-make sure you clean them real good with hot water and dish detergent to get off any grease and grim.
-lightly sand 1500-2000 grit sandpaper.
-use promotion adhesion spray, let it dry
-prime it with the proper color to cover the original color
-I use Krylon spray paint, cause of it being plastic.
make sure you get about 3-4 good coats of your color with ample drying inbetween coats
-I used automotive clear coat, about 6-7 coats of clear.
some people wet sand between clear coats

the heat from the engine has never caused an issue with using the Krylon paint, been done for about 2 years now on my dodge. Still a work in process.

[nards444]

it can be done the factory is having it done. But like all plastic being painted, in time it will wear off dont matter what you do

[MadMaxx]

If you're using an adhesion promoter + primer layer, you aren't limited to a plastic (krylon fusion for example) paint. Plastic specific paint usually has a bonding agent and flex agent built in. This piece isn't flexing, and we've got a layer between the paint and the actual plastic surface...so it won't matter.

The biggest keys to success:

**ALL** oils need to come off!!! I can't stress that enough. After the initial wash and degrease, make sure all future contact to the part is done with latex gloves... the oil from your fingers can and will make a difference.

Adhesion promoter + good primer (if you sanded, use a light fill primer) is the best base you can get down.

Don't mix n' match paint types. Stick with the same brand where ever possible... been there, done that... not fun.

[Yellow2010]

I painted mine and it looks great. I am in no way a painting expert. They are right, make sure you clean the plastic really good before painting. I used plain rubbing alcohol, scrubed it good, and let dry for at least an hour before painting. Here is the results.

[Chemical]

wow that looks good. How did you get a paint match? ^^

[Yellow2010]

Luck really. I bought several cans of different paints and test painted some other plastic. It was the closes match.

[greg_74]

You could look into having it powdercoated with nobody will paint it and you don't want to. I know there are places that paint LS1, LS6, and Fast Intakes so I wouldn't see why they wouldn't do LS3 ones.

[efpardo]

I couldn't order my Cyber Gray Camaro with the Cyber Gray Engine cover so...

I Painted it myself

[1998 Brickyard]

Originally Posted by Yellow2010

Luck really. I bought several cans of different paints and test painted some other plastic. It was the closes match.

I appreciate the fact that you spent the money buying several cans.
To save everyone else that expense, what brand and or color code was the can that you ultimately used?

[SomeGeoffGuy]

I have had good luck with the SEM Color Clear paint in the rattle can and painting plastic. But, I have never put it under a high temperature (it did survive solar load though). I painted a rubber steering wheel with SEM and it stayed on for two years without chipping, it is even flexible. Also painted many interior trim pieces with no issues.

-Geoff

[pinkcamaro10]

how much were you gonna pay to have it painted?

[Tecca]

Originally Posted by pinkcamaro10

how much were you gonna pay to have it painted?

Well the guy that ended up putting my RJT stripes on is going to paint it. Although he is charging $175 it is going to be SIM with some RJT accent stripes as well. Plus he won't get started on it until nextweeks. I know I can do it cheaper if I did it myself but the guy is real good and $175 is that bad since he is doing a two tone paint job.

[pinkcamaro10]

I see, I was just curious. After we see how things go with my engine cover, i was gonna see if anyone else wanted theirs done so i can make some spare money..