Spraying rocker covers... any tips?

[Nay]

I'm thinking about spraying up some rocker covers this weekend. Just want a bit of advice.

First step is obviously to clean them. What would be the best stuff to use to eat into the built up crap on them?

Obviously a little sand-down as usual and a nice little primer layer with another little sand down. and so on.

What paints are the the best to use? Primer? Will the engine get so hot that rattle can paint will just fail after a bit of use?

Finally, how would people go about making the lines and logo's a different colour? To make them silver/metal? I assume for the latter, just sand down the paint to the bare metal, start using finer paper, then polish?



I just would like to mock up a few Ideas. See how it goes...

[MJJ_ZX6RR]

Gunk/Degreaser for the muck. No sanding whatsoever, just use a couple of coats of primer. Spent bl00dy ages with a sharp craft knife masking each of the raised stripes/letters before priming and spraying.

I just used normal primer, aerosol paint and clear lacquer. Been fine for a few months, I don't think the rocker cover gets ridiculously hot.

Martin.

[JimmyC]

clean, prep, prime, paint

Then use a file over the raised bits to take them back to metal

[Nay]

clean, prep, prime, paint

Then use a file over the raised bits to take them back to metal

Thats what I thought.

I have a few ideas of what to do. Need to get hold of some Diamond Schwartz Metallic rattle can paint! Some satin black (getting for my spoiler any way), some metallic red. And the M'Tec colours.....


Gonna be a fun afternoon!

[hongkongfuey]

i used plastcote project paint from B&Q, had it on there for a few months now still as bright as ever

[ImysE30]

Thanks for the tips too

[fuzzy]

i used the candy apple red mettalic spray cans from B+Q. its been on a couple of years and still looks good.

[Nay]

i used the candy apple red mettalic spray cans from B+Q. its been on a couple of years and still looks good.

Perfect. But a darker red is needed!

[hongkongfuey]

have a look at the plasticote stuff they have all sorts, everything from gold chrome to burgandy velvet effect spray even stone finish

[Nay]

Awesome, but will probably have to order it online.

[DaveD]

didn't even prime mine as it is powder coated already cleaned thoroughly and just sprayed with 2 pack sanded the logos then lacquered

[maf260]

Did mine last weekend.

Cleaned thoroughly with Autoglym engine & machine cleaner (great stuff, works on everything), couple of coats of primer (red oxide as I was painting it red) and then used the Plasticote quick drying enamel, again a few coats. Let it dry and then sanded the raised bars and BMW lettering with progressively finer paper. Also cleaned & polished up all of the securing bolts so it now all looks great.

I did this as a result of checking and adjusting the valve clearances - a very worthwhile job I'd recommend to everyone. The car runs a lot better now and is much more responsive.

[gareth]

a wire brush attachemtn on a drill will remove the corrision that's probably present. it'll look a lot nicer if you do this.

file the tops of the letters and stripes flat first, then paint. it'll save work once it's painted as they're not very flat and it's a real git if you scratch the paint while spending ages getting the lettering to look good.

to get a nice finish, draw file the raised parts. this means to hold the file in two hands and slide it sideways over the rocker cover, from end to end. it'll make smoother lighter cuts and even the finish out easier. then wrap some emery paper round the file and repeat.

i used el-cheapo primer and cellulose black on mine and it's been fine with the exception of some coolant leaving marks on it when i stupidly left the breather screw loose

[Nay]

The car runs a lot better now and is much more responsive.

Exactly the thing I'm aiming to do. I'm estimating a 10bhp+ increase and make it more econimical.


Will be having a go this weekend me thinks. Will post up some pics of the results!

[ImysE30]

I might be too

Make sure you take some pic's of each stage

[gareth]

here's mine, before i refitted the head.

[Nay]

I might be too

Make sure you take some pic's of each stage

Ok, will do!

[hongkongfuey]

[StuBeeDoo]

OMG! My eyes....
You should have warned us we'd need dark glasses.

[ImysE30]

Now that's

Love it

[Rav335uk]

HELP I CAN'T SEE!!!!!!!