Intake Refinishing Alternative to Powdercoat
01-26-2012, 07:57 PM
#16
Rennlist Member
... When reassembling the intake I wanted to level off the surface area of the intake where the intake gasket goes for mounting to the engine. I had to aggressively sand it down to get it off. Even then the primer didn't want to come off easily. Its adhesion is excellent and you can see from the pic where I worked to get it off.
Attachment 602127 ...
Attachment 602127 ...
Excellent work. Beautiful results.
How did you do the sanding? The first thing that comes to my mind is sandpaper glued on a piece of glass. The second is a long board sander as used in bodywork.
01-26-2012, 10:07 PM
#18
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
01-26-2012, 10:14 PM
#20
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Outstanding--just bookmarked this page for my top end refresh. After it's stripped, is it possible to lightly sand and fill some of the pits to get a really smooth surface? If a filler can be used, what kind would I use that wouldn't mess up the rest of the process?? Again, great job! / Bruce
01-26-2012, 10:15 PM
#21
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Thread Starter
01-26-2012, 10:19 PM
#22
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Anyone who's had a chance to talk to Brian will come away impressed - he's very knowledgeable, thorough, and detail oriented. I had the pleasure of meeting him and seeing his car in person at 3rd Coast. His car was incredible and the intake looks better than factory.
About two years ago, I painted my intake and cam covers with Duplicolor Engine Enamel on top of their self-etching primer. It's held up well, although there are a few places where it has started to bubble, most notably in the cam cover lettering. Note: I did not throroughly strip mine, rather I removed everything that was loose then feathered the edges in with primer and sanding. As such, you could say my prep work was subpar.
I'm not a big fan of powdercoating and will bookmark this thread for use next time. I suspect Brian's method will hold up at least as good as the factory's did, and possibly better given modern materials and our own attention to detail. Thanks for the writeup!
About two years ago, I painted my intake and cam covers with Duplicolor Engine Enamel on top of their self-etching primer. It's held up well, although there are a few places where it has started to bubble, most notably in the cam cover lettering. Note: I did not throroughly strip mine, rather I removed everything that was loose then feathered the edges in with primer and sanding. As such, you could say my prep work was subpar.
I'm not a big fan of powdercoating and will bookmark this thread for use next time. I suspect Brian's method will hold up at least as good as the factory's did, and possibly better given modern materials and our own attention to detail. Thanks for the writeup!
01-26-2012, 10:21 PM
#24
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
I used the flat face of a DA (Dual Action) sander. The key is to keep it flat.
01-27-2012, 09:46 AM
#25
Rennlist Member
Beautiful!
Mods - this should be cross posted in the 928 DIY section. A great alternative to PC.
Question to Op - if you were doing it again, would you mask off the mating/gasket surfaces first?
Mods - this should be cross posted in the 928 DIY section. A great alternative to PC.
Question to Op - if you were doing it again, would you mask off the mating/gasket surfaces first?
01-27-2012, 10:24 AM
#26
Burning Brakes
I've bought rolls of 3M stickyback tape in 2-3" varieties. I get 220 grit and stick it down to a granite slab (or piece of glass or any flat surface). with a 32v intake you can lay out strips along the runner lengths and block the whole assembly as one piece. Tha makes sure the whole intake is flat across the board, from side to side and front to back.
01-27-2012, 11:24 AM
#27
Under the Lift
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One thing - either you had the most perfect castings I have ever seen or something in your process eliminated the pock marks and craters I almost always see in the cam covers. Dave Roberts has used and recommended Lab Metal as a filler for these casting flaws. http://www.alvinproducts.com/Products/Products.asp?id=1
How did you get yours so smooth and crater free?
How did you get yours so smooth and crater free?
01-27-2012, 11:44 AM
#28
Race Car
I looked at that too, but on the originals I only noticed one small indication of erosion near the 'c' on one of the tappet covers...maybe both an excellent baseline to work from ..
01-27-2012, 05:57 PM
#30
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Gorgeous. 
I plan to do this when I tear into my engine compartment for timing belt etc.. I won't be staying with the stock color though, gonna go with something metallic, and colorful. Liven up the 86 engine bay a bit. Can you give an estimate of total cost (blasting, etcher, sealer, paint, clearcoat)?
Thanks,
Dennis
I plan to do this when I tear into my engine compartment for timing belt etc.. I won't be staying with the stock color though, gonna go with something metallic, and colorful. Liven up the 86 engine bay a bit. Can you give an estimate of total cost (blasting, etcher, sealer, paint, clearcoat)?Thanks,
Dennis