Is there a reason I should NOT paint my plenum
06-30-2006, 08:26 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2006
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Posts: 12
Is there a reason I should NOT paint my plenum
I'm thinking of painting my plenum, not a cover, but the plenum itself.
A friend of mine recommended I NOT do this because he heard it would reduce the heat disapation too much.
Anybody else heard this or any other reason why I should NOT paint it?
A friend of mine recommended I NOT do this because he heard it would reduce the heat disapation too much.
Anybody else heard this or any other reason why I should NOT paint it?
06-30-2006, 08:55 PM
#3
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Posts: 2,544
RE: Is there a reason I should NOT paint my plenum
I seriously doubt that it would affect heat dissipation enough to make a differance one way or another.
However, I don't think it will look good unless you do some SERIOUS prep work, and to be honest, that's not something that I think most people would be willing to do. If you take shortcuts it's going to look like crap.
Most paints will not stick to plastic. You need a special paint that is designed for plastics, and that can handle the underhood heat. Regular spray paint or "engine paint" will just flake off.
Once you've got the paint, you have to prep the plenum. That means taking it off the car (a few hours of work by itself) and meticulously cleaning it so the paint will stick. I would start by washing it good with a pressure washer and a degreasing cleaner like Simple Green. Then, go over every nook and cranny with dish soap and an old toothbrush. Once you're satisfied with it, wash it again, one last time, with dish soap to make sure there's absoloutley no oil residue on it. At this point wear gloves--no touching the plastic with your fingers--you don't want oil from your hands on there. Mask off any areas where the paint shouldn't be, and then paint it...then you get to let it sit for a long while so the paint is good and cured before you put it back on.
However, I don't think it will look good unless you do some SERIOUS prep work, and to be honest, that's not something that I think most people would be willing to do. If you take shortcuts it's going to look like crap.
Most paints will not stick to plastic. You need a special paint that is designed for plastics, and that can handle the underhood heat. Regular spray paint or "engine paint" will just flake off.
Once you've got the paint, you have to prep the plenum. That means taking it off the car (a few hours of work by itself) and meticulously cleaning it so the paint will stick. I would start by washing it good with a pressure washer and a degreasing cleaner like Simple Green. Then, go over every nook and cranny with dish soap and an old toothbrush. Once you're satisfied with it, wash it again, one last time, with dish soap to make sure there's absoloutley no oil residue on it. At this point wear gloves--no touching the plastic with your fingers--you don't want oil from your hands on there. Mask off any areas where the paint shouldn't be, and then paint it...then you get to let it sit for a long while so the paint is good and cured before you put it back on.
06-30-2006, 09:05 PM
#4
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
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Posts: 763
RE: Is there a reason I should NOT paint my plenum
I don't know how it will look till I see one, but I wouldn't worry about heat with all the people putting covers on and the 07 coming from the factory as an option with them. A cover would hold in heat more than paint I would think.
07-01-2006, 03:37 AM
#6
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2006
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Posts: 313
RE: Is there a reason I should NOT paint my plenum
ive seen some painted at car shows and if done right they look good. i thought about doing mine but the prep work is massive and need to buy other things for her first. i wouldnt worry about holding in heat.
07-02-2006, 01:55 AM
#9
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Posts: 215
RE: Is there a reason I should NOT paint my plenum
The valve covers look great! How much work was it to remove? Did you powder coat them? I paint mine but I am always afraid of creating an oil leak messing with it.
Greg
Greg
