HOW TO: Painting C7 Engine Bay Parts
#22
Race Director
So I decided to paint my engine covers yesterday. The plan:
- paint the fuse box cover Cabon Flash Metallic
- paint the lower covers Carbon Flash Metallic
- paint the plenum Carbon Flash Metallic
- paint the fuel rail covers Cyber Grey Metallic with Carbon Flash Corvette lettering.
I planned to paint them as is, not sanding them down to make them smooth. I didn't know how good it would look, so I figured i'd do the fuse box first, assess how it looks, then if its good I could do the lower covers, then the plenum. In short, I am quite happy with how they turned out but I didnt have as much Carbon Flash as i'd hoped. So I only got the fuse box cover and the lower covers done. I ordered more paint from automotivetouchup.com which should be here by next weekend and I can finish it up.
First step, clean clean clean. If it ain't clean it ain't gonna stick too well.
I chose to use an adhesion promoter since its plastic. It worked out quite well.
Two coats base, three coats clear.
And the result..
Since I am lazy.. Lol, I am just gonna leave the plenum cover and fuel rail covers off for the next week while I wait for more paint to come.
Opinions?
- paint the fuse box cover Cabon Flash Metallic
- paint the lower covers Carbon Flash Metallic
- paint the plenum Carbon Flash Metallic
- paint the fuel rail covers Cyber Grey Metallic with Carbon Flash Corvette lettering.
I planned to paint them as is, not sanding them down to make them smooth. I didn't know how good it would look, so I figured i'd do the fuse box first, assess how it looks, then if its good I could do the lower covers, then the plenum. In short, I am quite happy with how they turned out but I didnt have as much Carbon Flash as i'd hoped. So I only got the fuse box cover and the lower covers done. I ordered more paint from automotivetouchup.com which should be here by next weekend and I can finish it up.
First step, clean clean clean. If it ain't clean it ain't gonna stick too well.
I chose to use an adhesion promoter since its plastic. It worked out quite well.
Two coats base, three coats clear.
And the result..
Since I am lazy.. Lol, I am just gonna leave the plenum cover and fuel rail covers off for the next week while I wait for more paint to come.
Opinions?
#24
Racer
Looks awesome!! Now I'm motivated to get my under-hood mods started.
Does anyone sell blanks (unpainted) plastic pieces for the Fuse Box covers, Brake Reservoir, Surge Tank cover and Regulator Sensor? Someone has to produce them, because several vendors sell them in CF, Carbon Flash, and matching body colors????
Does anyone sell blanks (unpainted) plastic pieces for the Fuse Box covers, Brake Reservoir, Surge Tank cover and Regulator Sensor? Someone has to produce them, because several vendors sell them in CF, Carbon Flash, and matching body colors????
#26
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You did a great job on the underhood pieces. Congrats.
#27
So I decided to paint my engine covers yesterday. The plan:
- paint the fuse box cover Cabon Flash Metallic
- paint the lower covers Carbon Flash Metallic
- paint the plenum Carbon Flash Metallic
- paint the fuel rail covers Cyber Grey Metallic with Carbon Flash Corvette lettering.
I planned to paint them as is, not sanding them down to make them smooth. I didn't know how good it would look, so I figured i'd do the fuse box first, assess how it looks, then if its good I could do the lower covers, then the plenum. In short, I am quite happy with how they turned out but I didnt have as much Carbon Flash as i'd hoped. So I only got the fuse box cover and the lower covers done. I ordered more paint from automotivetouchup.com which should be here by next weekend and I can finish it up.
First step, clean clean clean. If it ain't clean it ain't gonna stick too well.
I chose to use an adhesion promoter since its plastic. It worked out quite well.
Two coats base, three coats clear.
And the result..
Since I am lazy.. Lol, I am just gonna leave the plenum cover and fuel rail covers off for the next week while I wait for more paint to come.
Opinions?
- paint the fuse box cover Cabon Flash Metallic
- paint the lower covers Carbon Flash Metallic
- paint the plenum Carbon Flash Metallic
- paint the fuel rail covers Cyber Grey Metallic with Carbon Flash Corvette lettering.
I planned to paint them as is, not sanding them down to make them smooth. I didn't know how good it would look, so I figured i'd do the fuse box first, assess how it looks, then if its good I could do the lower covers, then the plenum. In short, I am quite happy with how they turned out but I didnt have as much Carbon Flash as i'd hoped. So I only got the fuse box cover and the lower covers done. I ordered more paint from automotivetouchup.com which should be here by next weekend and I can finish it up.
First step, clean clean clean. If it ain't clean it ain't gonna stick too well.
I chose to use an adhesion promoter since its plastic. It worked out quite well.
Two coats base, three coats clear.
And the result..
Since I am lazy.. Lol, I am just gonna leave the plenum cover and fuel rail covers off for the next week while I wait for more paint to come.
Opinions?
Nice work! It looks like you do not have the Z51 engine - correct? I have a Z51 and your pics appear somewhat different from my engine. For instance, you have the engine oil filler cap on the pax side cover; mine has the oil filler tank cap on the pax side, next to the firewall. My engine has what appears to be a sensor(?) located approximately where your oil filler cap is located.... I have not figured how to remove the sensor plug (if that is what it is) -- trying to insure that I don't break something on that plug... Anyone know how?? Thanks!
#28
Team Owner
#31
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Aug 2004
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CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
Dumb Question
I have some new fuel rail covers to install, before I start yanking on things, I thought i might ask someone about removing and reinstalling these things. Is there any trick to getting them off, or do they just pop off and snap back into place?
#32
I'm Batman..
Pro Mechanic
Thread Starter
Member Since: Apr 2014
Location: Lehigh Acres FL
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Tech Contributor
The white covers in your picture just snap off basically. Pull upwards on the edges closest to the center of the engine first. The bottom half are seated with L shaped notches.
#34
Melting Slicks
While I understand guys wanting to improve the underhood appearance, I find most of them too much "in your face.” This I think is well executed and handsome. Don
#35
Le Mans Master
#36
So I decided to paint my engine covers yesterday. The plan:
- paint the fuse box cover Cabon Flash Metallic
- paint the lower covers Carbon Flash Metallic
- paint the plenum Carbon Flash Metallic
- paint the fuel rail covers Cyber Grey Metallic with Carbon Flash Corvette lettering.
I planned to paint them as is, not sanding them down to make them smooth. I didn't know how good it would look, so I figured i'd do the fuse box first, assess how it looks, then if its good I could do the lower covers, then the plenum. In short, I am quite happy with how they turned out but I didnt have as much Carbon Flash as i'd hoped. So I only got the fuse box cover and the lower covers done. I ordered more paint from automotivetouchup.com which should be here by next weekend and I can finish it up.
First step, clean clean clean. If it ain't clean it ain't gonna stick too well.
I chose to use an adhesion promoter since its plastic. It worked out quite well.
Two coats base, three coats clear.
And the result..
Since I am lazy.. Lol, I am just gonna leave the plenum cover and fuel rail covers off for the next week while I wait for more paint to come.
Opinions?
- paint the fuse box cover Cabon Flash Metallic
- paint the lower covers Carbon Flash Metallic
- paint the plenum Carbon Flash Metallic
- paint the fuel rail covers Cyber Grey Metallic with Carbon Flash Corvette lettering.
I planned to paint them as is, not sanding them down to make them smooth. I didn't know how good it would look, so I figured i'd do the fuse box first, assess how it looks, then if its good I could do the lower covers, then the plenum. In short, I am quite happy with how they turned out but I didnt have as much Carbon Flash as i'd hoped. So I only got the fuse box cover and the lower covers done. I ordered more paint from automotivetouchup.com which should be here by next weekend and I can finish it up.
First step, clean clean clean. If it ain't clean it ain't gonna stick too well.
I chose to use an adhesion promoter since its plastic. It worked out quite well.
Two coats base, three coats clear.
And the result..
Since I am lazy.. Lol, I am just gonna leave the plenum cover and fuel rail covers off for the next week while I wait for more paint to come.
Opinions?
#37
I'm Batman..
Pro Mechanic
Thread Starter
Member Since: Apr 2014
Location: Lehigh Acres FL
Posts: 6,130
Received 908 Likes
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561 Posts
Tech Contributor
TEXHAWK0 suggested I contact you. I have the C7 base with the oil dipstick driver side of the engine. To get the coil cover off I had to force it between the fuel line and dipstick tube. Almost certain I will scratch the paint when I put it back on. Did you remove the oil dipstick tube or the fuel line to put it back on?
#38
Le Mans Master
Great write up OP, thanks. Question you may or may not have an answer to, but ever run across any ideas on solutions for the factory manifolds? Not going to do headers on mine, but the rusty look of the manifolds ticks me off. Thanks
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LT4CMG (09-08-2017)
#40
Safety Car