Im going to be painting my engine plastics, do yall have any tips on what type of paint i should use as well as how many coats of clear i should use to protect it from engine heat. Also do you think i should sand and primer it before i paint? thanks

 

Automotive paint + automotive clear.

I will be using urethane paint, and that sh*t's tough!

I'll be using a high-build primer after sanding down the plastic to get a smooth surface.

 

No, listen to me...

I painted mine. They look incredible.
All I did was:
Sand with 400 grit, then
Sand with 800 grit, then
Sand with 1200 grit, then
Sand with 1500 grit,
Clean with alcohol, water, and microfiber, and
Painted with 6-8 thin coats of krylon fusion (I used red)

I didn't use any clear coat, or anything. Since I did this about 16 months ago, I repeated the process about 4 months ago to get a more vibrant color.

All you have to do is clean them about once a week with some dish soap.

Danny

 

^ Pics of said engine bay with the paint job done please?!

 

Well i just used a scuff pad and some prep cleaner for plastic then sprayed it with crome about six times then with a blue anadized color then a bunch of times with high temp clear. It gave it a candy blue color and it changes shades depending on how you look at it. the picture does not do it justice.

 

Did these for "APSTTRDSTR" (Member here). I only use Dupont paint and clear. Never rattle can any of my stuff.

 

^ your paint looks sweet, except painting the NiSSan hamburger

 

You'll need to use Bulldog Adhesion Promoter on plastics as a primer. Otherwise, any paints you use will not bond properly. You can get Bulldog at any auto parts store.

 

That looks sweet.

 

Looks nice. How does the paint stand up to engine bay heat over the long term?

 

Nic@Cincity, man I swear, those r8 mods are the ****

 

No reason to use that fine of paper.

Sand 180. Adhesion promoter 5 minutes before two good coats of primer.
Sand 400. Spray base coats until uniform with around 5 minutes between coats.
Flash time for 20 minutes. Light coat of clear. 5 minute flash medium wet coat. 10 minute flash medium wet coat.
Let it cure for a day and you're ready to put it on or wet sand it if you choose.

 

How do you guys avoid the clear residue in the dimples of the battery & brake fluid covers?

Mine engine cover is not holding up in regards to heat....what did I do wrong?
Starting to see bubbles forming in the paint?

 

wow.. by the time you buy all that sandpaper and then the paint.. i just took mine to a local auto body shop and paid the guy $40 to paint all three covers

 

Do you have pics? What about the clear residue in the dimples??

 

no, i can take some pics though.. no "residue" in the dimples... i watched him clear them... he put on two light coats in two different directions.. then he put on two more light coats in the other two available directions

 

Mine should be painted next week when my car is ready for paint, will post pics. The painters are concerned about the heat of the engine bay also. While my car is in the body shop I am having them do all the small projects to the car that I am too chicken to do, rear wing, roll the rear bumper cover, and painting the 3 covers in the engine bay.

 

Hit it with some 400 and use this http://www.wmbarr.com/product.aspx?catid=1&prodid=56 right before you paint them. It will be fine. I used it on mine and it has held up real good.