Rattle-can engine bay, any experience with this? Worthwhile?

[butters]

My engine is coming out for a rebuild this week, and I can't help but dream of a freshly painted bay while I have the chance. My car is white, so that means the bay is largely yellow of course.. there's also the possibility of shaving unused brackets etc. But, it's not in the cards to tow the car to a body shop and have it done right at this point. So my question is, is it worth buying a few cans of AW2 paint and going to town? Anyone have pics or suggestions?

[10Toes]

I did mine with base spray can and then clear sprat can. It is holding up pretty good, not as durable as a real paint job but it works.

[DREWHALL]

I'm using Rustoleum. I've used it on so much other crap and never had an issue with it being any less durable than automotive paint so I figured what the hell.

Now I know what my bay will looks like, but mine will be red. Looks clean!

[JdmEuroNorth]

[nrubenstein]

Real paint will have chemical resistance. Kind of useful in an engine bay....

Edit: also, you might be surprised by how the bay cleans up if you go at it with a brush and a gallon or so of Spray Nine. That stuff eats cosmoline and all the other crap.

[DREWHALL]

I'm sure it is more resistant to things like carb cleaner/brake clean with a proper clear coat, but my trans brace that has been soaked in oil/ATF from the many leaks under the car for a year has not been affected. It's just black Rustoleum. I don't see myself getting too many chemicals under the hood that will eat at it. If it does, I can always touch it up.

[StereoInstaller1]

I love satin underhood, with polished bits here and there

[LJ851]

Here is a fine example!

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=2698582&postcount=146

[DREWHALL]

That color looks pretty good. I need to mask mine off so I dont' get overspray all over lmao. I started painting the passenger side to test it out and got carried away so 50% of the bay is painted already.

[Jand3rson]

I did mine with Duplicolor spray-in bedliner. The texture is very fine, and it's TOUGH AS NAILS. I think it will really only work with black cars, but others might work.



Also, and this might seem a little half-assed, but if you do a shave or have any areas that might be a little imperfect as far as finish goes, the bedliner does a good job of hiding small blemishes.

[butters]

I'm mostly just looking for a uniform white finish, I'm not going to go crazy with removing everything, there will be alot of masking involved. But I would like to go for it. How many cans would cover the bay?

[Jand3rson]

You're not going to get good, consistent coverage without removing almost everything. There's things you're going to want to paint under, behind, around, and you won't be able to clean, let alone paint properly if you don't remove them. The best part about removing nearly everything is that you can clean what you remove, and replace things you might have overlooked. My ABS pump looks like it just came out of the box, and I was able to clean it that well because I removed it.

Do it thoroughly, do it right, or it's going to look like shit and you're not going to be happy with it.

[LJ851]

An automotive paint supply shop should be able to sell you real (catalyzed) auto paint in a spray can. You have to use it relatively soon after they make it but it will be WAY better than a non catalyzed paint.

[butters]

You're not going to get good, consistent coverage without removing almost everything. There's things you're going to want to paint under, behind, around, and you won't be able to clean, let alone paint properly if you don't remove them. The best part about removing nearly everything is that you can clean what you remove, and replace things you might have overlooked. My ABS pump looks like it just came out of the box, and I was able to clean it that well because I removed it.

Do it thoroughly, do it right, or it's going to look like shit and you're not going to be happy with it.

True although not what I'm wanting to hear lol. The ABS pump seems to be the biggest obstacle. Pulling wiring looms I'd rather not, though I should. Painting around the brake booster I'm ok with.

[SwiftE30]

What Janderson said. You have to do it right the first time or you'll be disappointed. It's well worth spending the time taking everything out. Its the little things like doing this that make your car worth looking at. DON'T RUSH PROGRESS>