Engine Cover Paint Project - COMPLETED!!!
Engine Cover Paint Project - COMPLETED!!!
Hello everyone,
It took me all weekend, but I finally managed to finish the paint job on the engine cover. I ordered Redline Pearl color matched aerosol paints from www.automotivetouchup.com (you can find the color code for your paint on the sticker along the driver side door sill or the above site also has a color code check by vehicle) along with all the other supplies listed in their step-by-step instructions, found here (except for the masking tape and sandpaper...Wal-Mart carries this stuff):
http://www.automotivetouchup.com/spr...directions.htm
I reversed some of the steps, such as sanding before surface preparation (didn't make sense to prep the surface I was just going to scuff up anyhow). I also did surface preparation with the prep solvent before applying the adhesion promoter (after masking everything).
The pictures look good and so does the final product, though I will admit that if you want a true polished and glossy look for the same project, you will want to do more than just use the fine scuffing pad on the plastic. I preferred the dimpled surface look though the primer and the clear coat applications did a great deal to remove some of those contours in the plastic. There are some minor imperfections stemming from masking but you can't really see them without looking very close.
All in all, this turned out really good considering that I did this on the back balcony of my apartment, at night, with only minimal lighting. Damn to that stupid moth that hit one of the side lips after applying the second coat of the base color (had to sand it out and spray another couple coats on that spot). It took some time, but I am definitely happy with the results.
Here's the pics:
1) Sanding, masking off the sections I wanted in Black, and surface preparation...
2) Following 3 coats of primer application...
3) After 3 coats of Redline Pearl basecoat (and after fixing the "moth" attack)...
4) After applying 3 coats of the clear coat...
5) Removed the masking for the sections to be done in Black...
6) Masking off the Redline Pearl sections to paint the Black areas...
7) Black sections were done in the base coat first, then all masking paper removed final to application of final 3 coats of clear coat. Thus, the Redline Pearl sections received about six coats of clear.
Some recommendations to anyone considering a similar project:
1. All of my supplies from automotive touch-up (2 cans of redline pearl, adhesion promoter, prep solvent, gray [fine] scuff pad, 2 cans of clear coat, rubbing compound [didn't even use this]) cost about $90
2. Though it came out well, if you really want the smooth polished look with no texture from the plastic, don't just scuff the plastic. I would recommend some 600 grit sand paper and probably two more coats of primer than I used. I liked the textured glossy look but some might prefer the alternative.
3. TAKE YOUR TIME with the masking process. If you don't have an x-acto knife, get one, they're cheap. Be extremely careful when cutting away masking tape over the raised lettering or else you will be sanding out minor cuts in the plastic.
4. Allow the first coat/clear coat coloring (whichever route you go first) to cure for at least 24 hours before masking that section off in preparation for painting the next colored section. Some of the adhesive from the masking tape came off on the red sections when I was prepping for the black. It covers easily with the clearcoat and doesn't seem to have caused any issues thus far, but if you want to avoid this issue, allow the paint to cure for longer than I did (I let it set for about 12 hours).
If anyone has any questions about this process or anything they'd like to know in particular, send me a PM.
Take care and let me know what you think!!!
It took me all weekend, but I finally managed to finish the paint job on the engine cover. I ordered Redline Pearl color matched aerosol paints from www.automotivetouchup.com (you can find the color code for your paint on the sticker along the driver side door sill or the above site also has a color code check by vehicle) along with all the other supplies listed in their step-by-step instructions, found here (except for the masking tape and sandpaper...Wal-Mart carries this stuff):
http://www.automotivetouchup.com/spr...directions.htm
I reversed some of the steps, such as sanding before surface preparation (didn't make sense to prep the surface I was just going to scuff up anyhow). I also did surface preparation with the prep solvent before applying the adhesion promoter (after masking everything).
The pictures look good and so does the final product, though I will admit that if you want a true polished and glossy look for the same project, you will want to do more than just use the fine scuffing pad on the plastic. I preferred the dimpled surface look though the primer and the clear coat applications did a great deal to remove some of those contours in the plastic. There are some minor imperfections stemming from masking but you can't really see them without looking very close.
All in all, this turned out really good considering that I did this on the back balcony of my apartment, at night, with only minimal lighting. Damn to that stupid moth that hit one of the side lips after applying the second coat of the base color (had to sand it out and spray another couple coats on that spot). It took some time, but I am definitely happy with the results.
Here's the pics:
1) Sanding, masking off the sections I wanted in Black, and surface preparation...
2) Following 3 coats of primer application...
3) After 3 coats of Redline Pearl basecoat (and after fixing the "moth" attack)...
4) After applying 3 coats of the clear coat...
5) Removed the masking for the sections to be done in Black...
6) Masking off the Redline Pearl sections to paint the Black areas...
7) Black sections were done in the base coat first, then all masking paper removed final to application of final 3 coats of clear coat. Thus, the Redline Pearl sections received about six coats of clear.
Some recommendations to anyone considering a similar project:
1. All of my supplies from automotive touch-up (2 cans of redline pearl, adhesion promoter, prep solvent, gray [fine] scuff pad, 2 cans of clear coat, rubbing compound [didn't even use this]) cost about $90
2. Though it came out well, if you really want the smooth polished look with no texture from the plastic, don't just scuff the plastic. I would recommend some 600 grit sand paper and probably two more coats of primer than I used. I liked the textured glossy look but some might prefer the alternative.
3. TAKE YOUR TIME with the masking process. If you don't have an x-acto knife, get one, they're cheap. Be extremely careful when cutting away masking tape over the raised lettering or else you will be sanding out minor cuts in the plastic.
4. Allow the first coat/clear coat coloring (whichever route you go first) to cure for at least 24 hours before masking that section off in preparation for painting the next colored section. Some of the adhesive from the masking tape came off on the red sections when I was prepping for the black. It covers easily with the clearcoat and doesn't seem to have caused any issues thus far, but if you want to avoid this issue, allow the paint to cure for longer than I did (I let it set for about 12 hours).
If anyone has any questions about this process or anything they'd like to know in particular, send me a PM.
Take care and let me know what you think!!!
Thank you, thank you! My offer still stands dude...haha. Of course, we'd need some more base coat and probably two cans of primer this time (I ran out when doing the black but actually preferred the results).
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HaHa... You'll notice eventually a green booster seat in the pictures as well as the crayola. So the secret is Crayola while sitting in a booster seat!
Awesome job man - looks really sweet.
Awesome job man - looks really sweet.
Buuaaaahahahahahaaaaa, the booster seat was my throne during the masking phases and the crayola finger paint kit allowed me to get into the nooks and crannies...amazing the colors that crayola can produce for ya!
