Painting the engine bay

[Threehz]

Nearly everything is out of the engine bay, only small things left and the time to paint is coming closer, and closer. I was originally just thinking of taking her to a local body/paint shop and get the engine done up but being me, I can't stop thinking, if I'm going to invest a few hundred dollars in this, why not do it myself? That way I get experience and tools for the future.

Anyhow I'd like to get some tips from the people I trust the most with my Z, you guys!

First of all, what ALL should I remove before painting? (Maybe the better question is what shouldn't I remove?) I've got almost everything out besides the brake stuff and the wiring harness & a few other little things and grommets.

Also I think I'm going to remove the fenders and see how the body is looking under them. Along those lines, under the hood cowl, that entire area is covered in a nice layer of surface rust, not bad at all but it seems like that area wasn't stock painted? Is this normal? Anyhow how should I go about sealing that up? I would really like to seal and paint it so that I can feel at ease about water running through there.

For this job I want to get a nice paint-gun, and when I say nice I mean one that I can do a really good job with. I am a poor college student but I refuse to sacrifice quality to save a few bucks. So what are some good quality brands and guns (I have ZERO experience with using a paint-gun)? (I also would like to be able to use this gun to repaint my dash after I repair it, and things of that nature)

Next thing is paint. For the engine bay I don't need the sexiest top of the line paint. My main purpose in painting the engine bay is to remove the surface rust that is there, and seal it all up to prevent future rust. That being said, I want this job to last and look good. So what are some good quality brands of paint?

Also are there any specials primers/paints that I should used since it is an engine bay (temperature sensitive or anything?)

I feel like I had another question but that's quite a lot already and its time to head to work now..

Thanks for reading my long posts guys!

[cozye]

You could write a book on painting cars and it would barely answer your questions. Painting the engine bay is no different than painting the outside of the car. You prep it the same, use the same stuff, and use the same method. On the Z, you would normally use the same color paint as well, so whatever you are doing for the outside base/clear maybe, you would use on the engine bay. If you are just using a 1 stage paint, or going all black in the engine bay you would use an enamel most likely.

Best thing to do is talk to your local paint shop on what you would need. Each paint process has it's own chemicals, cleaners, reducers, hardeners, etc..

A good gun is going to cost you $400 at least. Sata and Devilbiss are the two most popular that I know of. I've used a Sata quite a bit, it's a real nice gun. Most pro painters will use separate guns for primer, base, and clear. You can get by with one but you've got to make sure you take it apart and clean it real well between applications.

[Threehz]

Yeah I've been talking to some people about it and I might be in over my head, price wise. I did find out that my friend's brother is a painter so that might be the way I go.

Still though any ideas about the under-cowl area? I mean most of it is definitely spray-able but down the drain spouts and all that, there has to be some way to get those?

[cozye]

best thing to do is take it all apart, fenders, cowl, hood, etc.. Get all metal cleaned up and rust free, prime and paint. I think you will find a lot of rust and some problems around the bottom of the fenders. There is a pocket in there that is notorious for picking up dirt, leaves, moisture and RUST

[Threehz]

I wouldn't doubt that at all, when I got the car it had been sitting next to a pine tree for the duration of it's eight year sleep... Let me tell you, I found myself loathing pine needles, and they still show up in every nook and cranny I get into ha. Well the fenders are one of my next steps so we will see what the damage is.

Thanks for all the info and putting it into perspective for me!

[hr369]

you don't need an expensive gun to paint the engine compartment.

if you're low on money get one of those 50$ ones at lowes or home depot.

the engine compartment doesn't have to be perfect. when you get the

engine,hoses and wires in there alot of the paint is covered anyways.

I would be more interested in the rust prevention aspect of painting the

engine compartment. you can use aluminum foil to cover hard brake

and fuel lines. too much trouble using masking tape on them. that 50 buck

spray gun can later become your primer gun.

[TomoHawk]

Have you considered using the bedliner coating instead of paint? It's oil and chemical resistant (brake fluid easily removes the OEM paint) and chip resistant. Done well, it looks as good as the usual satin type paint.

[GreenZZZ]

I've been using this stuff for crannies....

Rust Encapsulator with extension

Good video with this spray.

internal frame paint

[TomoHawk]

You can't get that encapsulator at the local auto parts store.

[Ben's Z]

I too will be painting my bay when I do my motor swap. I have some body experience. I was going to degrease the engine bay and scuff sand with 220 and red scotch brite pad the engine bay. I will probably use epoxy primer and a base clear 2 stage paint. A quart of base usually makes two sprayable quarts and will be PLENTY to do the engine bay, areas behind the fenders, cowl etc.

[TomoHawk]

If you have that much experience, why not strip off all the old paint? You gotta be careful putting the new stuff over that old stuff.

[Ben's Z]

From what I have seen paint manufacturers say it is ok to spray epoxy primer over old or multiple substrates. If I was going to take it all down to bear metal I might consider an acid etch primer.

If you have that much experience, why not strip off all the old paint? You gotta be careful putting the new stuff over that old stuff.