Painting the computer
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 582
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville, GA
Painting the computer
I just had the fuel rail covers.. overflow tank.. air cleaner housing and a few other things painted Pearl White....Im real happy with the way it looks...now that computer sure looks bad...Ive polished on it but its still ugly.....Im thinking of having it painted white to match the rest.....anyone see any problems with this....my concern is heat....I know it gets hot...and I just wonder if by painting it... it may not get rid of the heat.......as well as an unpainted one......any thoughts...?????
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 582
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville, GA
Re: Painting the computer (Carroll B)
my neighbor did it for me...he's a paint and body guy by trade....he did the air cleaner housing..radiator overflow, cruise control cover, both fuel rail covers ... the cooling system expansion tank (not the overflow).. the power steering resevoir and the plastic plate on top the TB...for $100...he sanded everything smooth got rid of all the casting flash etc...especially on the rail covers....they have that ruff look...those are now smooth and really look nice....he used the pearl white that Lexus uses..anyhow it was a 3 step process to paint it....primer...base coat and clearcoat.......really brightens up the entire engine compartment.....now if I can just figure out what to do with that computer and the A/C and altrenator..........
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,524
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From: Sacramento CA
Re: Painting the computer (larryf)
The cover is plastic yes? Gets some good plastic prep from your local paint supply shop. I see no problems with painting it just be careful and make sure it cures before putting it back on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Fort Worth Texas
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Re: Painting the computer (larryf)
Well, it's painted black already. I don't see that it would hurt. I painted mine with the valve cover paint when I did the intake work, looks okay.
Not the best picture, but the only one I could find....
Not the best picture, but the only one I could find....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 5
From: Overland Park KS
Re: Painting the computer (larryf)
I know what you're talking about...the computer cover is dull metal. I took mine apart and polished it using Mother's and some felt pads and now it's somewhat shiny (polished aluminum). I didn't have enough time before a show to really do it perfectly but maybe now that we have a winter storm watch it's a good time to take it all apart again.
As to your question, I've seen some that are painted and I know your instinct is that it would be an insulator, I think it would be too. Are you thinking of painting both sides or just the top?? The computer is in the engine compartment anyway so it has to be able to take heat. GM put it in a metal box with a rubber gasket so their is no internal airflow. I would think the thing is going to get hot anyway and a coat of paint on it won't make much of a difference.
As to your question, I've seen some that are painted and I know your instinct is that it would be an insulator, I think it would be too. Are you thinking of painting both sides or just the top?? The computer is in the engine compartment anyway so it has to be able to take heat. GM put it in a metal box with a rubber gasket so their is no internal airflow. I would think the thing is going to get hot anyway and a coat of paint on it won't make much of a difference.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 582
Likes: 5
From: Fayetteville, GA
Re: Painting the computer (KCvetteowner)
thanks for all the input guys.....Craig mine is a 96... the computer housing is different than yours...mine is cast aluminum with cooling fins etc...its more of an integrated unit than just a box type cover....anyhow after reading KCVETTEOWNER's post I may try to take it apart like he did....I didnt think it came apart.........and do some polishing on it...i polished while it was still on the car and it really didnt do much.......tks again.............
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 5
From: Overland Park KS
Re: Painting the computer (larryf)
Good luck to you...
It does come apart. The rubber gasket is a little sticky but a putty knife or screwdriver will help and just pull it apart. Try to avoid touching the computer board as much as possible. The fins are a PITA to polish but it's possible. I rolled up sandpaper to smooth it out (600 grit, then 800 grit and then 1200 grit, finally Mother's). I need to spend about 4 more hours on it to get it all looking near perfect, I still have some pits in the metal and areas around groves I need to use my dremel tool on.
It does come apart. The rubber gasket is a little sticky but a putty knife or screwdriver will help and just pull it apart. Try to avoid touching the computer board as much as possible. The fins are a PITA to polish but it's possible. I rolled up sandpaper to smooth it out (600 grit, then 800 grit and then 1200 grit, finally Mother's). I need to spend about 4 more hours on it to get it all looking near perfect, I still have some pits in the metal and areas around groves I need to use my dremel tool on.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 32,782
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From: Former NCM Drag Racing coordinator, National director Corvette Challenge Spring Hill, Tennessee: Whiting, New Jersey
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Re: Painting the computer (larryf)
YUP, HERE IT COMES :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:
Pro
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 743
Likes: 4
From: Guyton GA
Re: Painting the computer (larryf)
Hey neighbor, Another idea is to bead blast it and spray it with some clear. That would be easier on the fingers and no more polishing. Post some pics when you get the engine bay done. Or just come on over. :flag
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,636
Likes: 3
From: Lafayette IN
Re: Painting the computer (larryf)
Check with the Eastwood Company (eastwoodco.com???). I know that there is a paint specifically made for radiators that is used on the fins and is *supposed to increase cooling efficiency. The problem is...I don't know if they make a color other than black. -Matt-
EDIT-http://www.eastwoodco.com/cgi-bin/sg...UREQA=1&FNM=20
[Modified by HighHopes85, 11:16 AM 1/31/2002]
EDIT-http://www.eastwoodco.com/cgi-bin/sg...UREQA=1&FNM=20
[Modified by HighHopes85, 11:16 AM 1/31/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Re: Painting the computer (Marcho Polo)
Well, it's painted black already. I don't see that it would hurt. I painted mine with the valve cover paint when I did the intake work, looks okay.
Not the best picture, but the only one I could find....
Not the best picture, but the only one I could find....
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,620
Likes: 2
From: Hillsboro OR
Re: Painting the computer (larryf)
Do not paint it white. The ecm will run hotter with white paint on it which is not a good thing. The reason it will run hotter is that the case is supposed to dissipate heat from the electronics. White paint reflects heat which sounds like the ticket to keep out engine compartment heat but remember that the paint is also white on the surface of the paint coating facing the inside of computer. That means it will reflect the heat from the computer back and reduce the effectiveness of the ECM case to dissipate heat.
I would leave it alone.
I would leave it alone.