Paint Engine Cover

[Exceler8r]

Hey guys & girls, have taken a quick look through the threads and didn't come accross what I was after.

Has anyone a guide to a good "at-home" paint job with a high quality finish of engine covers.

I am interested in painting my VE engine cover and would like to know what I should do before just pulling out a spray can.

Cheers.

 

[Troy711]

A good result always starts with good prep. Always make sure what you are spraying is CLEAN and free of any dirt or oil. I usually hit them with a coat of primer, let it dry for a few days and then wet sand it. Wash again and then apply another coat of primer. Pretty much repeat the same with the colour until you are happy.

At the moment I am trying to smooth my covers by painting and sanding them until the primer has filled all the ripples in the plastic.

Don't try and paint them in 1 thick coat cos it usually turns out ****. Take your time and provided you use decent primer and prep the surface you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[Exceler8r]

A good result always starts with good prep. Always make sure what you are spraying is CLEAN and free of any dirt or oil. I usually hit them with a coat of primer, let it dry for a few days and then wet sand it. Wash again and then apply another coat of primer. Pretty much repeat the same with the colour until you are happy.

At the moment I am trying to smooth my covers by painting and sanding them until the primer has filled all the ripples in the plastic.

Don't try and paint them in 1 thick coat cos it usually turns out ****. Take your time and provided you use decent primer and prep the surface you shouldn't have any issues.

Thanks for the tips...do you have any images of your project?

 

[Troy711]

Not yet, they are just in primer at this stage. I really need to get off my arse and finish them.

I'll put up a pic of the ones I did on my VZ ute though..

 

[Dino87]

heres a pic of my engine cover i got a mate to actualy paint n bake it in an oven

http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/members/dino87-albums-vy-cluby-picture90198-01042010010.html

 

[Exceler8r]

heres a pic of my engine cover i got a mate to actualy paint n bake it in an oven

http://forums.justcommodores.com.au/members/dino87-albums-vy-cluby-picture90198-01042010010.html

Suits the colour of your car.

Yeah I will be doing mine blue with a gloss finish I think...

 

[Troy711]

Red usually looks tops on most colours. What about yellow? It will stand out ALOT if that's what you are into.

 

[hwy747]

I sprayed mine in red for my blue car, looks pretty good actually. I did what Troy said and cleaned it, primed it, sanded it then did several coats of engine enamel red ($20 from supercheap auto). I sprayed too many coats to count, about 10 minutes apart and then let it dry for a few days. They look nice and smooth, and really make the engine bay look a LOT better.

It was all done within 1/2 day of painting, then once it dried it looks pretty good if you ask me haha. :spot on:

 

[Exceler8r]

Yeah good job. I think I will stick with blue to begin with. If it turns out crap, I'll just get a new cover for next to nothin from Holden. (It's all about who ya know)

 

[Dino87]

ye id go with the blue something different never seen a blue ve with a blue engine cover and i guess i can say the same with mine purple cluby with a purple engine cover so i think blues the way to go Exceler8r