sandmstreet3

I am gonna port my i.m. and want to paint it, because it looks like $hit now. Any ideas on what kind of paint i should use???

p.s. Thanks Dr Dre2000 for the most excelent write up!

RexRyder

iTrader: (10)

get it powdercoated, dont paint (daym I sound like Batman)

sandmstreet3

how would i go about doing that?

dre_2ooo

Um.... get it powdered or painted FLAT ALUMINUM or somthing close to that. IT's a metal intake, keep it looking like sharp metal.

No ricer yellow or red .

sandmstreet3

how do i powdercoat???? Are you in the northstar rx7 club dre??

silverrotor

iTrader: (1)

Why do any of the above? Use a brass wire wheel, that attaches to the end of your drill and start gently scrapping away. I got mine from Home Depot, It Is a B&D make. You really would be amazed at the results. All carbon off revealing a glistening aluminum shine. Unless, of course you opted for a different colour.

sandmstreet3

that sounds cool, do you have any pics??

DaleClark

iTrader: (55)

You need to clean the heck out of it to begin with - Castrol Super Clean and a brash brush will get you started.

Pep Boys carries many colors of engine enamel that goes on super easy and looks great. The aluminum color is really nice - has a good shine, and keeps up very well. Some of the lighter colors are hard to keep clean and good looking, BTW.

Dale

dre_2ooo

Nope, but i've already been asked.

BLUE TII

iTrader: (9)

To hell w/ powdercoating, get it anodized I would have loved to anodize/powdercoat mine to match my Bronze Volk TE-37s, but I just need to get it together soon!

I used VHT 1500 degree "flat aluminum" and baked it like the directions say in our bake oven at work.

wpgrexx

i used vht brake caliper paint, just cause ihad some left over. I don't think its rice to paint the manifold, thats like saying painting the engine block would be rice, domestics have been doing that for years.

loudazzrx7

iTrader: (6)

I used color changing paint to go with the graphics

Silkworm

Me, I polished mine

PaulC

scathcart

I polished mine and then anodized it to keep it from dulling.

I could anodize your intake any colour you wanted, if you're interested.

sandmstreet3

is anodizing just tinting the shiny aluminum a different color?

scathcart

kinda... its an electrolysis process which actually dyes the aluminum, and then seals it from oxidation so that the finish can't dull.

A lot harder to scratch, and impossible to get an uneven finish.

BDoty311

Im also porting mine aswell tomorrow. Ill probably just clean it to all hell and might respray it silver. I like showing people my engine and hear them say, "thats all?!.... and it makes how much power?"

Jimmy325i

Not to bring this back from the dead, but I have a pic of my intake after I painted it with a rattle can of silver.

Prep was sandblasting, which left a dull finish but got all the **** off nicely.

dr0x

What I did was use castrol super clean and a steel wool scrubby to clean it. Then I used an etching primer and "Dupli-Color High Heat with Ceramic" paint. Then I baked that on for two hours @ 400F.



Edit: damn this is an old thread.... lol

mazdamanda

I used a parts washer to clean mine up and then took a wire brush to it.

Kim

I just found out, that we have got a subsonic cleaner/washer thingie at work.
Now on for the abuse

Jimmy325i

My last job was working in the fabrication department of a semiconductor manufacturing equipment company. (clean room environment)

We had a kick *** ultrasonic automated parts cleaner there too, but everything had to be isopropel washed before going into it. That thing would've been bomb to wash engine parts in. Throw it all on the rack on one end and be able to lick them when they came out. Cost them something like 100K to build.