Straw-Colored Finish for Engine Fan

[Wil Ferch]

Tom Butler's fantastic build of a 2.8 RSR clone is well documented in this forum. Auto Associates of Canton, CT did the work, including the fan coating as shown here, pretty close to factory--->



Apparently its a closely-guarded secret by Auto Associates as to what they did. Did anyone crack the code or come up with a reasonable facsimile ??

[Hetmann]

Is that a fiberglass fan or is it metal painted to look like fiberglass?

[Wil Ferch]

As I said...it mimics the factory coating on the magnesium metal fan blades....anyone? Yeppers..also looks like a good color match to the transluscent racing-style fiberglass shrouds, intake trumpets, etc....

[jwakil]

That color looks out of place. I would rather go red or silver.

[Wil Ferch]

It will look out of place for those that want bling and don't understand Porsche racing history....

There are plenty of threads on how to make these eye-searing red, yellow or purple .... but that's not the point of this thread. Even silver is "OK" and in some ways more conservative and acceptable.... but that's not the point, either.

[Noney]

I don't have the exact answer to your question, Wil, but speaking from a vintage guitar refinishing standpoint, it looks like a multi-layer layup of color coats followed by some kind of clear cote to finish. When you "relic" a new guitar you typically start with a brand new paint job and then distress it and damage it down to the level of wear that you want. This looks like it was stripped down to the bare metal and then color-matched epoxy was applied to match the color of the original fan, followed by a sealing coat of some kind. Whatever it is, it's awesome! I'd like to see it in person to get a better idea of what was done.

[McLovin]

I think it looks kind of cool, but it doesn't really mimic the factory magnesium fan.

It does look like those early shrouds, etc., though. But it still looks a little out of place - making a mag part have the finish of plastic parts.

I wonder if anyone has ever come up with a process to make an old fan look like a factory new OE fan. That would be quite the trick.

For the one above, my guess it is it just painted with an automotive base/clearcoat paint system.

[Wavey]

Looks like a tinted clear to me, letting some of the discoloration in the magnesium show through. I think it would look better with a satin or matte finish, not so glossy.

[RWebb]

likely some patterning was done, similar to those plaster painting techniques with sponges

no idea re the real secret

[Wavey]

Anyone remember that thread where the guy's dad came up with some secret method he wouldn't share, then we all tore him a new one?

[Wil Ferch]

I agree on the gloss....the more I look at it. A bit more matte would be correct. My fairly pristine and low miles 85 Carrera had the coating...but it was mottled and gone in so many places that I removed it completely, and let the magnesium oxidize to dull grey before any oil stains would ruin it. Whatever that stuff was....yes...it seemed like some kind of clear or lacquer coating.

Wonder if a quick call to Mr. Newton at Auto Associates would result in a terse "no comment"....or maybe he'd relent after all this time? Stay tuned...maybe.

[myamoto1]

Originally Posted by Wavey

Anyone remember that thread where the guy's dad came up with some secret method he wouldn't share, then we all tore him a new one?

Didn't it turn out to be some marine spray coating or something?

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by Wil Ferch

My fairly pristine and low miles 85 Carrera had the coating...but it was mottled and gone in so many places that I removed it completely, and let the magnesium oxidize to dull grey before any oil stains would ruin it. Whatever that stuff was....yes...it seemed like some kind of clear or lacquer coating.

.

I recall seeing brand new fans at the dealership many years ago. From what I recall, whatever coating is put on at the factory is either done so very roughly, or doesn't stick very well, because it was gone and mottled even on fans that had not been installed yet.

That's why getting a true "new, OE, unused" look would be so difficult. It's just not uniform in color or texture.

[RS#007]

It is funny how they went through so much trouble to duplicate an original color but most of the engine and engine bay is incorrect.

[Wil Ferch]

RS#007....then you'd better inform master restorer and 2.7/2.8 expert Jim Newton of Auto Associates of his faux pas'... I'm sure he'd appreciate hearing from you. Unless of course, owner Tom Butler wanted certain things certain ways. Look at this link and the embedded post #14 on the build process--> http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/313124-rsr-clone-excellence.html

[spence88mph]

Originally Posted by RS#007

It is funny how they went through so much trouble to duplicate an original color but most of the engine and engine bay is incorrect.

lol, +1! I think the only thing they tried to mimic was the fan which I think looks way off anyway.

[RS#007]

Wil,
it is incorrect and I'm sure if Jim Newton is indeed an expert he knows this.

[Wil Ferch]

As I implied...to criticize the correctness of this fabulous machine does it a dis-service...my tongue-in-cheek comment was indeed that Jim knows what he's doing and what is correct...and Tom ( owner) may have had some personal ideas of his own to throw in. That's why the link to the build threads, to see what the true-target was. I wouldn't laugh as if to say..."Ha, he tried, how ridiculous it turned out".

As it is...I use the Butler thread only because I found no other threads that even come close to showing "the look" of the fan to help the question along.

[GaryR]

I go up to Auto Assoc fairly often and see them at the track a lot too. Next time I see Kenny or Scott i'll ask them what the deal is, I doubt it's some super secret code key handshake thing...

[304065]

Homemade Original Fan Finish