David L. Lutz

Ryan,

Could you give me a little more detail as to your method of painting and type of paint (where you got it) etc. Seems like a
good option.

Thanks

Tony

Just an idea. Many of these Powder coat colors are available in a wrinkle finish. The texture helps hide many of the small imperfections and produces a matte look. The wrinkle finish is VERY subtle. I have had this finish on mine for nearly 3 years and it is still very easy to clean...when i have to clean it.

Your parts looks sharp!

BPG_Austin

David, I painted mine also with good results. The paint did not cover up the casting imperfections as its pretty thin. Although, 2 coats of clear yielded a decently smooth finish over all the parts.
I shot metal etching primer, silver base, black lettering, clear clear. Our local carquest was able to supply the paint in small quantities. Best of luck on the job whichever method you use.
Ben

RyanPerrella

I wouldnt put on a high build primer. Ive never heard of that on an intake manifold, these things get hot, i woudlnt go that route. A couple coats of paint and it will even out the finish. I actually wrinkle finished my airbox and cam covers and that stuff is naturally pretty good with high heat.

I had mine blasted then i did the Alodine bath. (See Nichols site) I dont remember if i even used primer, i dont think i did, i wrinkle finished everything and baked them in my oven for a few hours. Once finished I then put a single top coat on the now grey colored wrinkle finish manifold to turn it aluminum colored and a different red then the maroon/blood red that came out of the can.

I think I bought my wrinkle finish from Summit Racing.

Also I dont like the supposed wrinkle finish you get with powder coating. Its not a wrinkle and more like just a blotchy paint texture to me. If you want wrinkle, thats done with paint not powder. If you decide to use wrinkle finish then make sure you apply it liberally so you get a nice wrinkle. My cam covers look perfect but the manifold could have a more consistent texture. I think the lettering on the top of the manifold contributed to this because the paint isnt a consistent level and the wrinkle doesnt cover the entire thing. Maybe not but the intake manifold is a bit of a bitch to get 100% correct.

Also the color palette was selected after i decided that i wanted to copy the look of the 550 Maranello and the Maserati GT coupe. Let me know if you want picks. I was going to detail the engine bay today and can post some after.

Shane

There is also a powder coat that is called Hamertone, which is somewhere between th wrinkle finish that Tony speaks of and a gloss finish. It too will help hide imperfections in the casting.

WallyP

Hammertone is available in standard paint finishes in a variety of colors.

RyanPerrella

i hammertoned my brake rotor hubs, ive seen the intake in hammertone and would suggest against it. I consider hammertone suitable for rod iron fence's honestly. No OE hammer tones anything on cars, it really looks like an industrial finish when its done, if you like it cool, otherwise i would use it sparingly and on small parts like brake rotor hubs and vanes. But some guys love the look, i am not a fan. I am sure some people arent fans of my wrinkled look either so to each his own.