Elmiko

What's the composition of the intake? Doesn't it have some magnesium in the alloy?

BC

Yes, I think it is mostly magnesium?

Glenn M

Wrinkle finish paint recommendations (rattle can)?
I've seen VHT and dupicolor.

Found this, I have not done it.
(Spray your part with Duplicolor rattle can bed liner coating. After it dries (dries very quickly) spray the part with the color of your choice. The bed liner coating will add texture to the part. It's not as aggressive as wrinkle paint, but it's much easier to work with.)

Thanks,
Glenn

Bill51sdr

Yes, Joe, it is...

Thank you for the praise Randy V.

FWIW, all the talk about the durability, I did the job at least 2 years ago and it still looks the same way now as in the picture. Anyone at SF'08 can attest to that. It has proven to be a very durable finish, and the thorough prep work paid off in this case.

GregBBRD

Bill:

It would seem that you are saying you sprayed your manifold? Would you be willing to share how you prepared your pieces?

Bill51sdr

Sure Greg.
The manifold and cam covers were removed from the engine first of all. I removed all of the paint on all parts, but left the rough finish primer/coating on the plenum. That coating appears to be some kind of catalyzed primer and is extremely tough. It gives the original texture to the plenum in any case. The endplates and cam covers were stripped bare, degreased & then primed with a metal primer suitable for alloys. I would suggest "baking" the parts in an oven prior to painting if your wife will let you get away with it as this will help to leach out the oils in the parts. Follow this with more degreaser followed up with plenty of blasting with an air nozzle. I used about 2 coats of the metal primer on all parts, even the plenum as there will be exposed metal where the "coating" has chipped away or hasn't been applied. I masked all openings/ports as well. My plenum/covers have at least 3 coats of the chosen color on them, maybe more, with plenty of time between coats. I then used a clear-coat of the same manufacturer, again @ 3 coats. I let it cure a couple of days before reassembly and then used care not to ding or chip while assembling. I'm very happy with the result. Let me know if you have any other questions.

borland

I used Duplicolor Engine Enamel too. Even after several years, 5K or so miles, and one intake removal/reinstall, still looks pretty good.

Mine is done with Aluminum base color, and Clear Coat top coat (both Duplicolor Engine Enamel). I posted the how-to on the RENNLIST e-mail server several years ago.

I removed most of the old coating with putty knife, and got the rest with epoxy paint stripper. Baked the parts (intake & valve covers) in a oven to burn off most of the engine oil.

Rigged the manifold in the air by a wire through the flappy side ports so I could rotate it while painting. Coatings were:

- 3 light coats, 20 minute dry times between coatings, followed by
- 1 medium coat of clear coat.

On the valve covers, I only clear coated the undersides.

These photos don't do it justice..

RyanPerrella

Greg,

Sand blast......Alodine Bath......prime and paint........Finito!

GregBBRD

There's a whole bunch of good ideas, in here. Thanks to all, of you.

928autobahndreamer

For those that used the kitchen oven does baking the cam covers and manifold leave any kind of residue or smell in the oven.

I'm getting ready to do this and want to have answers to these questions before I get ready to stick engine parts into a kitchen appliance. My answers are going to have to be convincing.

Also, how long and at what temp? Or does that even matter?

928autobahndreamer

Double post = Fail
Sorry. Damn blackberry.

RyanPerrella

No

No

GregBBRD

Just bringing this entire thread "back to the top" so Willian can find it.

There's a ton of good information in here. Thanks again to all.

RyanPerrella

Hi Willian or is it William?

William A

Hi Ryan,
William, though I have been known by and respond to much worse!

Thanks Greg for bringing this back up. Don't know why my search didn't grab this thread, but I suspect user error.

So after reading this thread and all the other independent legwork I've done so far, I am more vexed than ever. While it seems like it, I am not convinced that the intake and cam covers were actually powder coated from Porsche. If not, what is it? It doesn't seem to act like traditional paint either.

So if I am trying to duplicate the factory look, it is harder when I don't even know what process and material they used.

Can anyone with connections to Porsche settle what is on the cam covers and intake manifold?

I agree with Jim Bailey that if this board doesn't know, a concours judge likely won't have any more information than this informed forum does. But dammit, I want to know!

I would love to settle this issue once and for all.

By the way, Bill, Ryan, Rob and others have done a great job on their engine bays. I might end up going one of those routes, so thanks for posting your results.

William