The Project

iTrader: (6)

I need to repaint the airbox on my 305 TPI motor (you know the box that the air filters are in).

My question is what is the best way to re-paint it? What paint should I use to get a nice shine?

Thanks

slow_90firebird

Well, how hot do the airboxes get on TPI motors? I would imagine they stay pretty cool. If they dont get real hot, I would not use engine enamel.

Usually, if I paint something rattle can, I prefer duplicolor. They have great nozzles, and better quality paint.

You will want to start with a duplicolor primer. Grey or black or whatever will work best. They have filler primer, sandable primer, high-build primer, and regular automotive primer. What you pick will depend on how much scratches there are. The sandable primer, you can sand it dry with some 1000 grit or something, and get a good smoothe surface before you lay the base. I would recommend a few thick coats of primer. Lay it on at medium range, not where it runs, but not where it is thin. After a few coats and drying (sometings a heat gun will dry the coats faster, but use it cautiously because it can melt the plastic and burn the paint or leave bubbles) use the 1000 to block out any orange peel, or imperfections. Sometimes, after sanding the primer, I find it useful to lay another very thin coat of primer, to smooth out the sanding marks. Let it all dry.

Now you need to pick lacquer or enamel. I have had good luck with the lacquer. Get a can of gloss black acrylic lacquer, and clear coat acrylic lacquer. Or enamel if you prefer.

Now, lay down the black base coat. I prefer not to lay it on real thick, I kinda mist it untill the whole thing is even color. Then do another coat for good measure. Let the black dry. With aerosol, by misting it on instead of laying it on thick, you can avoid orange peel.

For the clear coat, you want to really hose it on. And use alot of coats like 4 or 5 if you can, or more if you are getting good results. I like to think I am spraying it on to the point -just before- it would start to run. Orange peel is perfectly fine. It will gain a really glossy appearence, it will just be textured from the orange peel.

Let it cure in a warm area for a whole day or more. When it is rock solid, you can use some 1500 or 2000 grit to wetsand the clear very gentle. Like on a car paint job. After wetsanding, use some buffing compound and buff it to a perfect shine. Apply glaze or a good wax as a finish.

Good Luck!

BADNBLK

iTrader: (11)

I painted mine! Smooth gloss black. I actually had my painter do it for me while I had some other stuff done, but he said no biggie, and just prepped it like any other body panel. I did go through and sand off all the little casting flaws and anything else that was sticking up at all.

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

You could try polishing the plastic like people with 'birds do to their tail lights. It'd probably work. Dunno whether it would be stronger than paint though, or if it would scratch up easier.

TheTech91RS

I don't know, but that glossy black on the airbox is sexy