engine bay refresh

[tlorber]

Looking forward to the pics. I've been cleaning portions of mine as I have time. Oven cleaner works really well to remove the grime and get the paint back. Obviously it won't fix scratches though.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Okay, I downloaded some pics as I have been working on them. As you know I tried my hand at some primitive body work. And I am both pleased and displeased with the results. First, my before pictures...

This is the completely before picture before my optima died and I decided to replace my battery hold down to OEM and get new battery ignition wiring, which started this whole thing!

First step is of course to remove all the extra nonsense that was in the way. I never did remove that strut bar, it just never seemed to be in the way to be honest. You can see the mismatched colors and spots and half a dozen extra holes where the AC stuff use to be.

Now you can see my second coat of primer. I still had not filled in the holes at this point. All I keep doing is sanding, sanding, sanding. More and more, I think that this whole job should be done with the engine out of the car. I am trying my hand at this on the passenger fender, first, but I think I would like to do it all again, with the engine out. Add that to my do-to list right.

Next steps are to fill in the holes. I decided to go with a tube application. Granted it is not the best, but it is sandable and comes recommended from a buddy of mine. It is called plastic metal. Made by Bondo. I have mixed feelings about using it, but I will give it a try and see where it goes.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Right, I took a stab at filling the holes, and shooting it with a coat of 901 silver. Well as you can see the results are not exactly Pebble Beach..:stupid:

So what am I to do, but sand it down and try again. This time I got more aggressive with my sandpaper. I started at 200, then 600, then 1500. I am getting happier as this goes on. What a long learning curve..

The surfaces are much smoother, and now I think I am ready for clear. I could sand and re-prime/re-paint forever, but what I learned is that this job is best done with the engine out.

Next shots will be with a coat of clear, and then with the hardware installed!

[motorman7]

I would remove the bar that is attached to the two front shock towers, just 3 nuts per side. Clean up the nuts that hold it down. Re-install after your done painting.

[steve91tt]

Are you happy with the paint color match? I'm pulling my engine next month to do a similar 901 engine bay respray.

[Zs-ondabrain]

So the complete A/C unit is gone? Looks cleaner without it, for sure.

I love that silver, looks clean.

Dave

[Zedyone_kenobi]

yup, the whole thing. It started to blow warmer air. So I was just looking for a reason to yank it and clean it all up.

The flash makes the paint look brighter than it actually is. The match I think is pretty good. Well, good enough for an engine bay. I sprayed an extra valance panel and compared it to the body. I think it is very close, but not perfect. Lets call it 95% there. No surprise really. My exterior paint is 15 years old, and the engine bay is probably original.

I am going to take off the strut bar and clean up that post. I will also look into getting some of those nuts plated. Good advice.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

UPDATE:

I hit my wheel well with two liberal coats of clear last night. This morning I was pleasantly surprised that the color appears a shade or two darker and looks much deeper. The silver dried darker than pictured above overnight. The color is DARN close to my exterior color. So much in fact, I would challenge anybody to tell me it was not sprayed 15 years ago with the rest of the car.

The directions on the can say I can wet sand with 1500 or 2000 grit, but it looks so good now, I may skip that step. I will take more pictures when I get everything bolted back on the car.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

Well for better or for worse, this is my first attempt at a refinish job. I am very happy with the results..

Before:

After:

[d240zx2]

You can begin thinking about changing your signature block.

[Zedyone_kenobi]

hows that Frank?

[Zs-ondabrain]

hows that Frank?

Maybe to a solid 91% now? Maybe 92%?