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Painting rocker covers

MidnightGTR
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MidnightGTR Community Regular

MidnightGTR

Posted
Posted

I'll be getting some new parts installed soon (turbos, cam gears) etc and I was thinking while most of it will be apart how hard is it to paint the rocker cover and maybe the plenum?

I can get the gear needed easily enough (compresser/spray gun), but what do I have to do to each piece to prepare for painting.

Is there any protective under/overcoat I have to apply to the paint to stop it cracking/bubbling from the engine bay heat? and do I have to sand back either items (i guess the cover probably doesnt, but the plenum would yeah?)

Is it a big job to remove the plenum/covers? is it something time consuming and how much would be max I should be charged for the workshop to do it (as I dont trust myself to try)

1 last question, is there anywhere in Brisbane where I could buy the "top secret gold" colour? maybe even buy interstate?

Thanks in advance.

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pinoi_boi_r33 Community Regular

pinoi_boi_r33

Posted
Posted

mate there is a dude on nissansilvia.com that will powder coat ur rocker cover in a wide range of colours. his nik is shakiel or something and heres the thread: http://www.nissansilvia.com/forums/index.p...showtopic=44766

the limited time cost is 100 bux but i think its going up to 120 coz of metal stripping is an expensive process. Plus postage since ur in Brissy and he in melb. Not sure bout the plenum tho...

otherwise if u wanna do it yourself it ain't really that hard. Get fireproof spray paint or engine enamel spray paint doesn't cost that much get a few cans, can get it from autobarn, bursons, repco supercheap bla bla bla. u will need some degreaser as well. Really clean ur rocker cover with degreaser and sanding u don't want any dirt on it as the paint won't stick as good. Then just follow the instructions on the cans and spray away. Do a coat then sand it back then do a coat over it. Keep going with coats till ur happy and thats it!!!

removal: removal of the plenum i dunno. The rocker cover is really easy tho. My rocker cover gasket is weeping at the moment and i will be replacing it soon. When i do i'll write a DIY for it with pix.

best of luck mate,

Rom.

mindflux Mentor

mindflux

Posted
Posted

Apparently you cant get a hold of this colour, as topsecreat have the paint code and will not release it, I was looking at painting my car /rocker this colour and could not get the colour code.

However where theres a will theres a way, and i can not garentee my comments, Its just what ive seen and heard.

Just dont wanna give you false information bro :cheers:

Jimbo2000 Grand Master

Jimbo2000

Posted
Posted

FYI and all others please note:

a thread posted in the FAQ/DIY section has to be approved by a moderator and could go unchecked for up to 12 hours (usually not that long) please dont post questions in there and if you see that your thread hasn't gone through dont post the same post again ;)

not lecturing YOU, just informing people here cause not many people read the sticky announcements at the top of the DIY section

cheers all

Jim

Fitzpatrick Speed Works Mentor

Fitzpatrick Speed Works

Posted
Posted

Okay, what you need to do is strip it back to metal... it depends on the finish but it cant hurt to get the metal a bit flatter ie sand is back with around 240 wet sand paper.... you will have to primer it first, make sure the primer you use is right for straight on metal as some arent!!! Make sure there is a good build up of primer so a good 2-3 coats... You then need to wet rub the primer with 400 grit for straight colour and with 800 grit paper if you intend to use a metallic... Make sure you dont rub through anywhere, if you do you will need to re-primer.. Then prepsol the area really well and dont get any fingerprints on it or anything else then paint it.... If you need any advice on the rest of the process let me know...

You wont need any special paints or ect automotive paint will stand up to 140 degrees or so and be fine!!!

It is a mammouth task to get the plenum off a gtr while the engine is in the car, do a search on my name and plenum removal and there is a thread where i did it on my r32 while in the car its a tough job but can be done.... the cam covers are pretty straight foword!!!!

Hope this is a help!!!

Daniel

Fitzpatrick Speed Works Mentor

Fitzpatrick Speed Works

Posted
Posted

if your covers have no chips in the paint you could get away with a light sand with 400 then paint ect.... if they have chips you can patch primer by rubbing out the chips and spot primering them, then rub the whole lot to get rid of the edges on the primer build up, then paint....

You should primer cause it acts as a bonding agent and you will get alot more professional and smooth looking job....

Also i would rub them back cause they are cast and still fairly rough upon closer inspection!!!

Fitzpatrick Speed Works Mentor

Fitzpatrick Speed Works

Posted
Posted

oh and that gold colour you want lucky your not painting a bonnet it isnt the easiest colour to paint on and get an even finish without a spray pattern showing through... lucky your only painting small parts!!!

SKY031 Grand Master

SKY031

Posted
Posted

I used VHT enamel for my purple bits.

All that prep work just sounds like too much hard work... I stripped the factory paint, and gave it a light sand so the paint had something to stick to, cleaned it with thinners, and sprayed the paint (from an aerosol can) directly onto the metal.

;)

Fitzpatrick Speed Works Mentor

Fitzpatrick Speed Works

Posted
Posted

yeah but all your purple bits wont last and wont look as good in a few years, and an aerosol can paint job cant look as good as a properly preparred 2pak paint job.... but its cheap and achievable on the other hand!!!!

Another note if you look after the gasket when you take it off and make sure it is clean and totally dry they can be reused easily!!!

SKY031 Grand Master

SKY031

Posted
Posted
yeah but all your purple bits wont last and wont look as good in a few years

The airhorns that can be seen on the left hand side of the engine bay were painted over 10 years ago.

I think 10 years is a bloody good effort, and if I only have to paint it once every 10 years, i'll be happy. :D

Something that hasn't been mentioned, is the use of clear coat.

If clearcoat is used, the heat in the engine bay will eventually cause it to go yellow.

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