Engine compartment restoration
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Engine compartment restoration
I want to clean up my engine compartment. It has been painted and the motor is out. I am looking for suggestions on how to make the old "stuff" look presentable without replacing or chroming it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Clean and restore/repaint the original stuff. The NCRS Judging Guide and other restoration sources list the original colors and finishes, some of which might still be visible on what you have.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
the biggest impact, clean and repair the wire Harness, try scrubbing bubbles,
it that fails use paint thinner on a rag.
You can use a buffing wheel/wire wheel to clean up anything you can unbolt.
nothing worse than someone who got crazy with spray paint, and blasted everything in sight.
it that fails use paint thinner on a rag.
You can use a buffing wheel/wire wheel to clean up anything you can unbolt.
nothing worse than someone who got crazy with spray paint, and blasted everything in sight.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Your work will include cleaning, repairing, and refinishing. There is a lot of information that you need to have regarding the proper finishes on all the parts and how best to prep them. I just did all of that last winter, so I know what you are up against. You can continue to expand this thread with many people having many different views on how to do this work. Or you can focus on a 'few' folks who are in-line with what you want to accomplish. I wanted my car to appear completely stock...but not to the degree of being ridiculous (IMO) by using exact paint recipies, etc. If that approach interests you, send me a PM and we can discuss this topic at length.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
most items can be cleaned to look like new with simple cleaning.
don't jump right into wire brushes and sandpaper,
they will damage your orginal finishes.
don't jump right into wire brushes and sandpaper,
they will damage your orginal finishes.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,697
Likes: 833
From: WI
I agree with all that has been posted so far. In addition what I recently did was remove the hinges, bolts and other plated parts and had them replated gold Cad and Zinc. Way better than painting. Man, they came back looking nice. Haven't had a chance to put them back in yet (work has been busy), but will soon. Here is a link to that thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...arts-back.html
Note: some of the plated parts in the picture are for non corvettes. The other thing is to order a decal set and get a new A/C compressor decal (if you have AC). I also disassembled my alternator and blasted the housing and repainted silver ...and bought new bolts for it (for like 35 cents) and put on the newly plated parts.
When I painted my under-hood stuff, I used urethane single-stage paint with flattening agent. This gives a lot more durable finish than spray can paint ...plus washes up a lot better. Not easy to do if you aren't set up for painting. Otherwise, Rustoleum Satin looks great but takes forever to cure ..I think it looks the best.
Take care,
Mark G
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...arts-back.html
Note: some of the plated parts in the picture are for non corvettes. The other thing is to order a decal set and get a new A/C compressor decal (if you have AC). I also disassembled my alternator and blasted the housing and repainted silver ...and bought new bolts for it (for like 35 cents) and put on the newly plated parts.
When I painted my under-hood stuff, I used urethane single-stage paint with flattening agent. This gives a lot more durable finish than spray can paint ...plus washes up a lot better. Not easy to do if you aren't set up for painting. Otherwise, Rustoleum Satin looks great but takes forever to cure ..I think it looks the best.
Take care,
Mark G
Last edited by Mark G; Nov 25, 2009 at 10:22 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 684
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From: Alberta
Originally Posted by 7T1Vette
Anyone have a detail shop do an entire engine compartment?
Last edited by 10caipirinhas; Nov 25, 2009 at 11:32 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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It can be done motor in.........
I went with incorrect gloss...
Along with some incorrect chrome.........
..
I went with incorrect gloss...
Along with some incorrect chrome.........
..
