BeerBurner

Right now, I'm removing and polishing/painting various little brackets and such to make my engine compartment look spiffy. I figure it'll make a good, low-cost way for me to continue to tinker with the car.

Anywho, at some point I'd like to paint the intake manifold and cam carrier. This won't happen any time soon since it'll be a few years before I can afford the tools to tackle the timing belt. But that said, is there any significant downside to painting these things? I realize that the paint won't be as durable as powder coating, but I'm not opposed to doing the occasional touch-up, so long as the paint doesn't start flaking off.

Of course, I know full-well that this could turn into one of those perpetual "I'll get to it later" projects, but I figured I may as well ask the peanut gallery for whatever thoughts they might have on the subject.

Thanks,
BB.

Geo

I wouild imagine the paint would make the parts retain heat.

Chris_924s

High heat tolerant paint. Depending on where you plan to paint.- 700 F is not uncommon on headers- 500 F on other parts. Use a IR thermometer sometime after a hard track run- you'l be amazed on how hot things get.

BeerBurner

I've heard that.

Out of curiosity, has anyone ever just used an SOS pad on the manifold and cam carrier to clean them off?

BB.

Geo

Rather than an SOS pad or steel wool, I'd use a Scotch Brite pad. Actually, if you want to make the intake manifold look cool, I'd sand it smooth (although I personally don't like polished). Or, if you have access to a media blaster that might leave a really nice finish.

BeerBurner

Will the scotch brite pad to much for me, or will it just give me a workout. Of course, I can always practice on the Jetta...

BB.

Chris_924s

Scotch brite then 1200 and 1600 grit paper. The cam tower shines up nicely. Kind of a subtle patina. not shiny, but noticeable.

Geo

Scotch Brite will do pretty much what steel wool will do only much more user friendly.

BeerBurner

Well. That sounds worth trying.

BB.

Jakerx

while i've been rebuilding my engine i have been painting various things using duplicor 500 F engine enamel... i took my cam tower today to be soda blasted ( i like it better than sand blasting)...

here is a pic of what it looks like now before i paint it...below are some other parts i've painted...

Jakerx

oh man you know the funny thing? i've been looking all over for that masking tape in my frist picture...i just now noticed it's in the picture *slaps my head*

s928s

The high heat temp paint works good. The best way to ensure good adhesion is prep..I had all of the motor parts on my last car glass beaded before painting. Did it all in black paint and used stainless steel allen heads for all of the hardwear, topped it off with a polished intake, came out nice

I polished the intake, valve cover, and other parts on my first 944S. You need to start with a coarse grit and then get finer and finer until it gets smooth. then switch to scotch brite pads and some mothers alum polish and it will come up real nice. Once you see the results you will want to polish everything. If you are interested I have the old intake off of my 87 N/A sitting in the parts pile. It is yours for the shipping, or pick-up. Polish this one and then swap when ready. Pass yours on to the next guy !!

BeerBurner

Check your PMs.

BB.

Dilberto

Squint real hard at my Avatar, and appreciate the fine polish, and powdercoat of my fully electroplated NA motor!

Zach

Chris_924s

Zach- Can you post a full size picture of your avatar?