painting fiberglass air shroud

[oneblueyedog]

I was wondering what the factory used to paint the air shroud on my 3.0 engine. It's red but has a lot of mars and scratches. It also has some of the bolt holes stripped out and one side is mashed from the ac bracket and underneath the bracket area it is fractured. I want to fix it up.

Question is- what kind of resin was the part made with (polyester or epoxy)?

What luck has anyone had in painting them? I'm leaning towards a 2 part epoxy paint. I'm impressed with the factory's paint in that it withstands carb cleaner and fuel.

Along with the rebuild, I'm detailing most everything while I wait for machine work.

Thanks for any help,

78sc

[jgparker]

It's gel coat, commonly used to finish Fiberglas. A boat shop may be your best bet. Re-doing gel to a high quality finish may be more work than its worth.

[oneblueyedog]

I should have known. I looked at it a few minutes ago and I think it is oil saturated around the thermostat area. The oil has leached out even after degreasing and scuffing the original gel coat. It has bubbled from heat. I think I'll seach for another one.

Thanks

[CARRERIC]

I had the same problem with my shroud during my current rebuild. Not worth fixing. I decided to just buy a new one for $335 via Porsche. And I just found them for $285 at (Suncoast Porsche in Florida).

[Wayne 962]

We also sell all the shrouds...

-Wayne

[RoninLB]

Yeah.. it only makes sense to start shopping at PP..

but not NoVa Charlie's shroud.. Charlie did high end custom. Even the paint code is exotic.

dealing with glass is a lotta technique..
and exotic would probably be more than the cost of a new one.

but I love this pic.. again........

[RoninLB]

last pic, I promise

[Tim Walsh]

HOLY COW how'd you do that? My shroud looks like utter junk.


PS I don't see any yellow shrouds on pelican either.

[oneblueyedog]

That shroud is art! I hope mine looks like that. I have a boat guy spraying it with Duratec. We're trying it as a little experiment.

Also, never use paint remover on fiberglass.

[RoninLB]

that color is a 1962 356 Ruby Red..

there were 3 Ruby Reds that year because the tubs were made in 3 different places..I think that is the most beautiful of all 3..

and somehow a $400k FD pumper was ordered with that same exact color.. and I was told by a NYC FD big paper guy who orders 50-100 trucks at a time that the Ruby Red FD pumper in Long Beach is the fastest rig in NY state for light to light traffic action. I guess it's because it's part Porsche ?

and glass fiber will wick chemicals and water.. in the boat yard I would seal a piece of clear plastic on the gel coat of a future painted area.. if it doesn't fog up the next day it's dry............Ron

[JohnJL]

Bump...would love to see some other shrouds that have been r&r'd...post your pics please!

[vance]

JohnJL

Check out pg 100 in the April isue of Panorama. Autobahn Extremist is making an engine shroud out of carbon fiber.

[JeremyD]

sic...

[asphaltgambler]

That's nice! Who sells that?

[kstylianos]

Ron,

After 2 years of use, it still looks great and gets may questions/complements! Thanks again.

[JeremyD]

Originally posted by asphaltgambler
That's nice! Who sells that?

Autobahn Extremist - $475

[kstylianos]

Here's a shroud I painted over the winter. Degrease, wetsand and used a chevy orange engine paint. Matched very well to the original color. Owner wasnt interested on concour, just wanted it to look 'clean'. Its been holding up well also.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by kstylianos

Ron,
After 2 years of use, it still looks great and gets may questions/complements!

thanks for the update. it's hard for me to predict the future of a paint shoot on contaminated glass. Usually bs would happen within the 1st yr.

I guess we're a winner on that one.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by JohnJL
Bump...would love to see some other shrouds that have been r&r'd...post your pics please!

you've seen the best of the best nonstock. I figure the shroud+ should be a platform for your elect's & fuel sys. A CF shroud should have CF elec panel cover, CF air ducting, etc. Then 6AN ss fuel lines w/ss hose ends. Then nickel plate etc low luster, etc, etc.

all above a prejudical rant.

[JohnJL]

Very nice, thanks

John