Black coolant reservoir...

[Rsully70sev]

I've noticed more and more people with black coolant reservoirs, maybe they've always been there and I didn't notice, maybe it's the new thing. Either way, I think they look awesome.

Is there any write up/info/etc on this? I tried searching but failed...Not sure if they can be purchased like that, or if they are all DIY.

Examples:




Black washer fluid reservoir might be a little too much...I'd have to see more

[e30trooper]

looks like it was just spray painted.

btw that engine bay looks so nicely done

[ak-]

vht wrinkle finish black.
Couple of my friends done it.

I kind of want a clear one though.

[Rsully70sev]

Hmm, as long as it was done with care I guess it would come out alright. It seems like spray painted stuff always turns out like shit in the end (wrinkles, contaminates, chips easily, etc.) probably due to poor prep/environment, etc -at least from what I've seen in person. I've always had a bad connotation towards spray paint, I guess I've just never seen good results.

Clear would be an incredible idea for the coolant reservoir, and probably for the washer tank too. I'm just tired of the old brownish/yellow (whatever you see it as) stock looking color. Unless they're brand new (first photo) they're an eye sore IMO.

[ak-]

[ak-]

Maybe one of these too?



lol. I'm just bored now.

[blackhawkimpact]

Slime?

[Cronopoulos]

^^ Looks like a glass tube.

[reelizmpro]

I've seen the black tanks on later model cars. They do kind of blend in with the rest of the engine compartment and not bring as much attention to them which is a bad thing IMO. Hard to tell the fluid level with just a glance.

My friend has one of those glass tubes on her Saturn showcar. Looks cool but I don't know how well they hold up and you're introducing 2 more clamps as it splices in between.

[Simon S]

I had luck bringing my discolored washer tank back to white by soaking it in bleach for an hour.

As far as the coolant over-flow tank, my understanding is that they get heavily discolored (yellow/brownish) over time and mileage - and there just isn't anything to do about it. Painting them black becomes popular since new tanks are a little pricey - and the original can be perfectly functional.

(does always bug me though when I see someone has completely tricked out/cleaned up/swapped/shaved their engine bay - and then a toasted-looking overflow tank sticks out like a sore thumb..)

[jaywood]

This thread could be full of win.

My reservoir is very ugly as well. I need options. Clear would be cool!



I read somewhere about dying it...I forgot where and how to do it though.

Edit: if you did dye it, could you dye the inside too? I wonder if the coolant could somehow react with the dyed plastic. I don't see how it could cause any problems having the inside/outside dyed... Not sure, just being cautious

[ak-]

Well the clear one I posted is from a Euro e36.
About $80 bones

[MR 325]

^ Euro E36 uses the same as late model E30.

That's how they look when you buy a new one. I put a new one in my car 6 years ago and it still looks good. They're supposed to be somewhat translucent so you can see the coolant level. ;)

[BMWManiac]

I bought a new coolant overflow tank and will try bleaching the winshield washer tank instead of buying a new one....I bought a new one for my E36 and it does wonders to make the engine bay look "new"

[ohthejosh]

Off topic but, is that a M30 air filter box on the M50? Looks awesome! Goes very well with the rest of the engine.