Bling in the engine bay

[GTSpec]

I had my R32 plenum metal stripped but it turned out sh1t cos the casting was porous and there were black bits left in the porosities....

So, i got it powdercoated a metallic silver and it looks beautiful

[cowie165]

If you're having trouble finding finer paper than 1200, you can use brasso on the reverse side of the wet & dry. It's prob equivalent (at a guess) to 2000 or so. Then use a sheet of A4 paper if you're really keen. Then brasso and a cloth.

Sand/polish in a line, like sanding timber. Otherwise you'll stuff yourself over trying to get swirly scratches out.

Mark

PS Model car/model railway shops usually have very fine sandpaper avbl

[JD_R33]

If you want to have a go yourself with one of the $30 buffing wheel jobs, try starting with something simple like your radiator cap (if you haven't already bought a bling one). Just peel off the sticker and experiment with the different buffing compounds and wheels until you get the hang of it.

Sooner or later you'll end up with a cap that shines like it's been chromed, then you'll be lookin for the next thing to polish.

Oh, and the cheapy kits usually come with two different colour compound sticks - make sure you remember which is which (like write it down or keep the cardboard it came in).

If you don't have a bench mounted wheel, just stick the buff wheel in a drill, clamp it in a vice and lock the trigger on - much easier to hold the buffee than the buffer.

Good luck dudes.....

[Restless 33]

can someone post a pic of the finished job...and how long would it take ruffly to get a good finish?

[Mick]

Here is a pic of what my plenum used to look like and a pic of what it looks like after ALOT of work..

You MUST sand it down first before using a bench grinder with poshing wheel and cutting compound or you will have ripples all through it..

If you want it smooth like a mirror you have to sand it down untill you have no dimples in it, thats alot of sanding, and hard especialy in the crevices and bends

[DAN00H]

great job

[JaFF]

that is definately very inspiring.

can u outline the exact steps you took.

ie. what grade sand paper you started with. sanded it all back by hand or used a sander for some?

what cutting compound. how long it took you all up.

[someonestolecc]

Here is a pic of what my plenum used to look like and a pic of what it looks like after ALOT of work..

You MUST sand it down first before using a bench grinder with poshing wheel and cutting compound or you will have ripples all through it..

If you want it smooth like a mirror you have to sand it down untill you have no dimples in it, thats alot of sanding, and hard especialy in the crevices and bends

PHWOAOARRR that's nice.. that's damn nice.

More info please I might have a go at something easy first like my intercooler pipes ;0

[Mick]

start sanding with a rough paper like an 80 just to get the dimples out quick, the hardest bit is to get the dimples out of the crevises, then work your way to finer and finer paper, when you have it looking like a mirror then you can use a bench grinder with a buff wheel with the grey cutting compound. There is no easy way to do it, its just ALOT of sanding. If you have the time just give it a go, just get in there with the paper, dont be afraid, you carnt stuff anything up. Use a rubber sanding block for all flat spots like the top.. Get some friends around and get everyone to have a sand because your hands gets sore and your arms get tired after a while .. Your can covers are very very easy to do because its smooth to start with ..