Plenum, paint or polish ?

[gas mart 1]

I have recently been spending some time adding a bit of sparkle to the engine bay ,by polishing the rocker covers and a few other bits and pieces...all looking good... but there is still a large elephant in the room... The Plenum. Not sure if the alloy cast finish will polish up like the covers or would it be best painted. Any thoughts welcome.
cheers
martin

[Transmitter Man]

If you polish it you'll be forever polishing it!



One day the car will be finished.

Phil
420 SEAC

[gas mart 1]

Thanks Phil.. A great looking engine you have there... i wish i had spent more time on mine when it was out of the car. What paint did you use ? does it need to be high temp
cheers
martin

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Martin


I have detailed a few plenums and rocker covers..I will post some pics when I find where I have put them...Now depending on finish you will need to use a primer and a VHT paint...
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...
If you want polished fins then polish them before you paint and then use a very small amount of vaseline just on the tops...either applied via your finger or what I do is smear some on some geese proof paper and then gently lay the part onto it fins down...the paint won't stick to it.

Spray one good coat and then dry with a heat gun..repeat a couple of times but leave the last one wet and leat dry overnight...Repeat this with your colour VHT paint 3 dry and one wet coat allowing to dry over night...ideally for a few days.

You can gently scrape the paint from the polished fins with an old credit card or even a fingernail..



Ziga

Ill post the pics when I find them...

[mrzigazaga]

Found some....
Wrinkle finish

VHT Red

The 3.9 was ground down so that a 5.0 badge could go on...

SD1 set

Poppy

Delilah

[mk1fan]

Go carbon.

[gas mart 1]

Thanks Mark . i like the paint with polished fins affect .Have you used the rocker cover badges on flea bay at £12each.
cheers
martin

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Martin


I used to get mine from a different source, I notice that Powers and TVR parts sell them..
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...


Ziga

[Engineer1949]

just thought i would add to the pics the temperature thing is actually not to important as it tipically is only engine temp and the plenum is usually less than that as it has cold air rushing through it mine are powder coated been done some while now done a season sprinting and some track days plus normal days out all still good.

Untitled by Brundall Motorsport, on Flickr


john

[stevoj]

gas mart 1 said:

Thanks Mark . i like the paint with polished fins affect .Have you used the rocker cover badges on flea bay at £12each.
cheers
martin

Martin, i have the ones from fleabay on mine and they have been fine and stick without problem.

[gas mart 1]

Thanks for the replies... very helpful.. and some great engine porn as well.
chees
martin

[indigochim]

mrzigazaga said:

Found some....
VHT Red

I'm liking that red, does the wrinkle finish mean you don't have to go ott on the prep.

[adam quantrill]

You tarts! What's wrong with a bit of grease..???? ;^)

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

if you want to finish them off in style I do a range of add polished extra's

[mrzigazaga]

indigochim said:

I'm liking that red, does the wrinkle finish mean you don't have to go ott on the prep.

Hi mate

As long as any grease is removed...Ideally still use the VHT primer...I say this as you could use etching primer alloy but it reacts with the VHT...As said though you dont really need VHT...HT should also be okay...


Ziga

[JVaughan]

I have been playing with painting my plenum for ages ... I have a spare one that I have been trying out VHT paint and crackle/ wrinkle finishes on.

Im fairly happy with the finish I can get, but im scared to death to touch the throttle linkages etc.

My plan was to colour the Plenum in wrinkle black, with the fins polished and the bracket and throttle linkages in burnt bronze

[mrzigazaga]

JVaughan said:

Im fairly happy with the finish I can get, but im scared to death to touch the throttle linkages etc.

Why?....It only goes together one way....well actually thats not entirely true...Pics before are a good bet...

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

JVaughan said:

I have been playing with painting my plenum for ages ... I have a spare one that I have been trying out VHT paint and crackle/ wrinkle finishes on.

Im fairly happy with the finish I can get, but im scared to death to touch the throttle linkages etc.

My plan was to colour the Plenum in wrinkle black, with the fins polished and the bracket and throttle linkages in burnt bronze

I painted mine

[jon haines]

When you have polished the fins whats the best way to keep them shiny?

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Jon

I use a tiny amount of autosol every now and then...a sponge and mild soap for the cold plenum and a clean hand towel....

Need to do mine soon...