Painted Engine Beauty Covers

[Suprgnat]

3 years after my original paint job, my substandard surface preparation became very evident. My paint was peeling and cracking. In addition, I had purchased a new beauty covers to paint which meant that the nylon it's made from had not achieved stable dimensions. Nylon absorbs and swells because of atmospheric moisture, and Scotchbrite and "adhesion promoter" just don't cut it.


This time, I did a much better job of surface prep on the original cover, which I had removed and had been sitting on a shelf ever since. Every little nook and cranny was hit with 180 grit wet-o-dry, followed by several coats of plastic primer, knocked down with 400 grit and 800 grit in between coats, followed by a couple of coats of primer sealer knocked down with 1000 grit and 1500 grit between coats.



I purchased rattle cans of 381 Le Mans Blue Metallic, 668 Jet Black and Lamborghini 210600 Titanium Metallic from AutomotiveTouchup, and January-ish I laid down the first of three attempts at a finish-color base coat.

Unfortunately I discovered that although isopropyl alcohol works fine to clean and degrease clear coats, it also happens to be a decent solvent for base coats and I had to start all over after damaging the main cover.

It wasn't until February that I had the time and more cans of base coat for my second attempt. After doing some touch-up prep the the main cover, I laid down the base coats and 2k clear coat. The covers came out gorgeous. I then placed the main cover under heat lamps to cure but while adjusting one of the lamps, the lamp fell onto my freshly painted cover.

F*ck.

I had purchased a spare can of 3680061 Sp*****x 2K Glamour High Gloss Clear, and the next day after doing the best touch-up to the cover as I could and prepping the clear coat a bit, I laid down another couple coats of clear.


I installed the covers, but just couldn't live with the huge blemish that remained from the heat lamp and the covers came back off for another respray. I would have done it again anyway, as I didn't like the way I masked off the embossed parts of the covers. Instead of the Le Mans Blue going up the sides of the embossing, I had the Titanium Metallic going down the sides which made the stripes and "BMW" look less crisp and even "blurry".



More time, more cans of paint, and with the addition of 3680067 Sp*****x 2K Semi Matte Clear to lay down on the Titanium Metallic and I was ready to spray again. This time I didn't screw anything up, but because I had transferred a tube clip located at the back of the engine cover so many times, I decided it was best to replace it. Of course, it was special order from Germany with the unsurprising 3 week delay. I had previously ordered a new roundel for the engine cover. While waiting for the clip, I ordered titanium M6x1 X 20mm taper-head socket screws to hold down the engine cover and M8x1.25 x 25mm button-head socket screws for the strut end of the HP Autowerks/M3 strut brace along with washers from Ti64.com. Just because.

Yesterday the clip arrived, and the covers were installed. I also took the time to give the strut braces a satin finish. On my first iteration of the covers, I had placed colored vinyl ///M stripes on the intake cover, but the heat caused them to shrink a bit so I left them off. I used some of the left over vinyl to do the ///Ms on the strut brace covers just to add a splash of color.



I hope to get better photos if the Sun ever comes out.

Three plus months later, countless hours, 13 cans of paint, too much money and I already have some ideas to refinish the covers I removed...

[ShocknAwe]

Love it. Specifically what paint did you order? My engine cover is looking rough as hell.

[Suprgnat]

Originally Posted by ShocknAwe

Love it. Specifically what paint did you order? My engine cover is looking rough as hell.

Some info in my post was censored, so PM sent.

[Dthltm]

thats badass looking. very cool.

[houtan]

Nice job. Looks awesome

[c1pher]

Wow, very nice!

[Rikx1M]

I'm not seeing photos...maybe because I live in Germany but I see other post photos

[Crematoriant]

I see them and I am in Czech. You as a German have to see it by default when I can in my little commy country. Try different browser or check if any add-ons aren't causing that problem or something else.