Painting engine cap covers
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,397
Likes: 801
From: Indiana
Painting engine cap covers
I wanted to put the engine cap covers on my C7, but all the caps are shiny. I assumed they were chrome plated, but receiving them, I'd say they are nickel plated. If they are chrome, it's pretty cheap chrome. But that was good for me.
I threw them in my HF blast cabinet and the nickel came off pretty quickly. Also, before I blasted them, I put 2 layers of masking tape over the top of the cap to protect the metal and emblems underneath. Using a razor blade the excess tape was cut off quickly. The tape held up. After blasting I wet sanded with 600 grit to smooth out the metal from the blasting, paying special attention to the top curve of the piece as I didn't hit it too hard with the blaster to not perforate the tape. With the part prepped, a good wipe down with acetone was next. I wanted to paint them up off a surface to not get the paint adhered to a flat supporting surface. I used some lag screws pushing into a box and magnets to hold the caps onto the lag bolts.
was the paint I used. Looks exactly like carbon flash metallic in the sun
Finished product. Going to let the paint set up a few days they try and polish it a bit. I had scuffed the center stingray cut out with plans to paint it the same CFM. Problem is the tape I have on hand isn't very conducive to fine cutting and detail work. So I'll order a paint pen and draw it in, leaving the brushed surround intact.
When I get my Corvette back from the shop I'll post pics of them installed.
All in, I'd rate this a 2.5 beer/2 hour job.
Difficulty level - no swearing needed.
I threw them in my HF blast cabinet and the nickel came off pretty quickly. Also, before I blasted them, I put 2 layers of masking tape over the top of the cap to protect the metal and emblems underneath. Using a razor blade the excess tape was cut off quickly. The tape held up. After blasting I wet sanded with 600 grit to smooth out the metal from the blasting, paying special attention to the top curve of the piece as I didn't hit it too hard with the blaster to not perforate the tape. With the part prepped, a good wipe down with acetone was next. I wanted to paint them up off a surface to not get the paint adhered to a flat supporting surface. I used some lag screws pushing into a box and magnets to hold the caps onto the lag bolts.
was the paint I used. Looks exactly like carbon flash metallic in the sun
Finished product. Going to let the paint set up a few days they try and polish it a bit. I had scuffed the center stingray cut out with plans to paint it the same CFM. Problem is the tape I have on hand isn't very conducive to fine cutting and detail work. So I'll order a paint pen and draw it in, leaving the brushed surround intact.
When I get my Corvette back from the shop I'll post pics of them installed.
All in, I'd rate this a 2.5 beer/2 hour job.
Difficulty level - no swearing needed.
