Can I paint it?

[PaliPrincess]

Hello! I just finished painting my engine cover and was wondering if I could paint the part that has the 4 metal almost hose looking. And how would I do that? Excuse my ignorance for not knowing what that part is called. Thanks.

[Wingnut_rb]

Originally Posted by PaliPrincess

Hello! I just finished painting my engine cover and was wondering if I could paint the part that has the 4 metal almost hose looking. And how would I do that? Excuse my ignorance for not knowing what that part is called. Thanks.

You must have a 2.0. Are you talking about the silver part that is in the center of the cover? That is the manifold, and yes you can. Clean it really really really good, followed by a good primer, then paint. Of course dont forget to mask it off

[PaliPrincess]

Originally Posted by Wingnut_rb

You must have a 2.0. Are you talking about the silver part that is in the center of the cover? That is the manifold, and yes you can. Clean it really really really good, followed by a good primer, then paint. Of course dont forget to mask it off

She is a 2.0. And what do I clean it with? A degreaser? Mask it off means what? For my engine cover, I wet sanded it, then used an adhesion primer, then 6 coats of color, and 3 coats of clear. Same thing? Oh and I cover everything around my engine that I don't want painted right? THANKS!

[Wingnut_rb]

Masking just means to cover everything you don't want paint on, usually with masking tape and paper. I would clean it first with Simple Green, then wipe it down with Acetone or paint thinner. Simple Green cuts through grease well but leaves a residue, that's where the acetone comes in. It will remove everything left behind by the simple green. Wear a good pair of chem resistant gloves and good ventilation (obviously). Simple Green won't hurt your paint but DO NOT get the acetone on anything painted that you want to stay pretty. Good luck and post a pic.

[PaliPrincess]

Originally Posted by Wingnut_rb

Masking just means to cover everything you don't want paint on, usually with masking tape and paper. I would clean it first with Simple Green, then wipe it down with Acetone or paint thinner. Simple Green cuts through grease well but leaves a residue, that's where the acetone comes in. It will remove everything left behind by the simple green. Wear a good pair of chem resistant gloves and good ventilation (obviously). Simple Green won't hurt your paint but DO NOT get the acetone on anything painted that you want to stay pretty. Good luck and post a pic.

Okie dokie thanks a lot Wingnut! Oh I know too well about acetone! Oh could I ask you; if you would suggest I paint my wheels or not? I have a cyber green beetle and I have the original VW 6 spoke alloys and I want to paint them satin black from Dupli-Color and my calipers grabber green like my engine cover. Would it look nice?

[Wingnut_rb]

Black wheels are definitely harder to keep clean, and most paint doesn't hold up very well on wheels. You can print out pic of your car and break out the colored pencils and crayons/pens and color your wheels and see if YOU like it. I think it might look good but hard to say without seeing it first.

[PaliPrincess]

Originally Posted by Wingnut_rb

Black wheels are definitely harder to keep clean, and most paint doesn't hold up very well on wheels. You can print out pic of your car and break out the colored pencils and crayons/pens and color your wheels and see if YOU like it. I think it might look good but hard to say without seeing it first.

Good idea. Thanks again. I might go with white because I wanted the daisy alloys but looks like a while before I get those. Thanks again. Oh would I have to keep touching up my wheels with the paint? Even if I clear coat them?