Can you paint an airbox?

redstormcoach · 08:30 AM

I have an 82 911sc. I have a stock airbox cover and a spare. I am looking to dress up the engine bay a bit and thought I would experiment with the spare one. Can I paint the airbox? Outside of course. Are the special primers for plastic? Is enamel best or is ther something different?

Buckterrier · 02-23-2009, 04:22 AM

Yes. And yes their are plastic specific primers. After that you can just about use any 'paint'. I think Krylon makes a plastic specific primer.

oneblueyedog · oneblueyedog's Garage

My airbox cover came out superb. With a spray can of Epoxy appliance paint from a home improvement store I first degreased the my airbox cover. I did not prime it. Then I heated the can of paint in some hot water (spraying trick). Dry the can off. I then painted only the outside of the cover. I let the part dry for a day. Used semigloss black.

Airbox- I'm sure you can do that too. Just mask off the tubes where the intake runner boots go.

It has held up for over a year. I painted the engine fusebox cover the same way.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Based on personal observation I'd say that painting any plastic is going to inevitably fail and look 100X worse than no paint at all. But it will buy you time.

Buckterrier · 02-23-2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Based on personal observation I'd say that painting any plastic is going to inevitably fail and look 100X worse than no paint at all. But it will buy you time.

Ye of little faith. As with any surface; plastic, steel, aluminum, concrete, drywall, ect. etc. It's all in the preparation and products used. Look at the modern car. Interior and exterior plastics everywhere. Front & rear bumpers, mirror housings, door handles, bodyside moldings, headlight housings, dashboards etc. Yet they all looks as good as the body. Plastics do have inherent adhesion issues but mainly they have been over come. Just about every car on the road uses TPO, (thermo plastic olefin) for a vast majority of components because it's cheap. Ford actually classifies the stuff as a non-paintable substrate.
Believe me I'm no plastics fan but the stuff can be painted and be durable.

jagular911 · 02-23-2009, 09:16 AM

Guys,

You can get almost anything to stick to anything - normally the issue is for how long.

I personally think that most new cars have an assembly line finish-if you look (from 5 ft), you can see orange peel everywhere. In most cases, the plastic panels, eventhough they have the same color, have a different texture, and thus a different finish.

It really depends how fussy you are. Yes, a spray can will do in many cases, however if you are looking for a professional job that lasts, you better spend some money, buy the proper equipment, use professional materials, and end up with a professional job.

It depends what you want-a paint job that looks good from 50 ft or 5 ft

Jon

Cooper911SC · 02-23-2009, 09:57 AM

I would de-grease it as suggested, (I use AJAX and a green scotchbrite pad) apply a light coat of Bulldog adhesion promoter, and then spray it with the color of your choice.

If you spray it with a real automotive base-coat/clear-coat you can add a flex agent to help the longevity.

My .02

Cooper

RoninLB · 02-23-2009, 10:36 AM

Painted with black Imron, no primer, it never cracked in 40k miles that it was installed. I can twist it and it won't crack or peel. It's been in 110F deserts and below freezing around here.

I have since gone to carbs etc but still have it lying around downstairs if a dirty pic is needed. I just don't want to start cleaning it.

redstormcoach · 02-23-2009, 02:32 PM

Is Imron only available to work with a spray system? If so, thats not for me. I need a spay can solution thats available at NAPA or VIP or something along those lines.

RoninLB · 02-23-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redstormcoach

Is Imron only available to work with a spray system? If so, thats not for me. I need a spay can solution thats available at NAPA or VIP or something along those lines.

body shop supply sells it as a liquid.

I read here on pelican that a body supply could put it in a spray can. I've layed solid color urethanes with a foam brush, but you should have experience doing it that way.

it's tough stuff after it cures..