I just picked up my fan shroud from the powder coater

[Tidybuoy]

I decided to powder coat the engine fan shroud. Actually, I used ceramic coating since it is thinner than powder coat.

I'm not finished yet but I've been working on polishing the fan. After I get it completely polished, I plan to dull it down with Scotch Brite Pad. I'm wanting to have a somewhat conservative look. I also will treat the polished fan with Gibbs to help preserve it a bit.

The shroud is coated in Cast Iron Gray Ceramic and has a frosted finish.

The Old Fan:


The Partially Finished Fan & Ceramic Coated Shroud:

[andy_uranium]

Looks really good. Nice work.

[Nick Triesch]

What tool/polish did you use to polish the fan?

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by Nick Triesch

What tool/polish did you use to polish the fan?

My fingers! I used never dull, mothers metal polish, and steel wool. I 've spent about an hour each night for a few nights. Each time, it gets a little more shiny. There are some small gouges in the metal so it's never going to get perfect but is looking 100% better. I want to use one of those cotton wheel polishers that fit into the drill - I have a set of those but have not been able to find where I put them.

I'm going to try the all natural look but if it looks bad in a year, I may ceramic coat the fan too - we'll see.

[Stonestreet]

Just a question, but why would you bring the polish up to high lustre only to bring it back down to a satin or matte?

Also, the ceramic coating looks great!

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by Stonestreet

Just a question, but why would you bring the polish up to high lustre only to bring it back down to a satin or matte?

My original plan was to try out the fan polished. However, I feel like I will never get it to a mirror finish as it is old and has wear on it. So, after some polishing, I decided that I really don't want a full polish as it's a bit blingy for me and I would only like full polish if I could get it perfect. I would be happier with a nice rsr wheel type finish, which won't require me to wax every weekend. Scotch brite will get me there but starting with a nice base will help it look the best.

Also, I would be fine powder coating the fan but I've read that the clearance is so small that some people have had trouble with the fan not spinning properly. I also am concerned that the powder coater could/would not mask the pulley area perfectly and I really don't want to undo the rivets. The powder coater that I use only has 4 colors of the ceramic and I want some contrast between the fan and the housing. Ceramic is much thinner than powder coat but the colors are more limited.

I am also getting my valve covers ceramic coated and they will be the exact same color as the fan shroud - I dropped those off today.

[Stonestreet]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

My original plan was to try out the fan polished. However, I feel like I will never get it to a mirror finish as it is old and has wear on it. So, after some polishing, I decided that I really don't want a full polish as it's a bit blingy for me and I would only like full polish if I could get it perfect. I would be happier with a nice rsr wheel type finish, which won't require me to wax every weekend. Scotch brite will get me there but starting with a nice base will help it look the best.

Also, I would be fine powder coating the fan but I've read that the clearance is so small that some people have had trouble with the fan not spinning properly. I also am concerned that the powder coater could/would not mask the pulley area perfectly and I really don't want to undo the rivets. The powder coater that I use only has 4 colors of the ceramic and I want some contrast between the fan and the housing. Ceramic is much thinner than powder coat but the colors are more limited.

I am also getting my valve covers ceramic coated and they will be the exact same color as the fan shroud - I dropped those off today.

Wow, I bet it's going to look amazing.

I hear you with the polishing. I think the matte to satin range is much better looking, even on flawless surfaces.

[r-mm]

First 'look at my new fan' thread I've read that did not end in pictures of something that looks like it was designed by/for strippers. Well done.

[Craig_D]

Looks really great!

[tirwin]

Like it!

[billjam]

Vern,
I'm really interested in knowing the brand/colour of that matt titanium finish on your fan housing. Can you ask your powdercoater for the details?
My current powder suppliers don't have anything like this.
We do lots of engine parts and this is a great look that I'd love to offer to customers.