'72 2.4L MFI engine - paintin der plastic bits?

[boyo]

I've got a '72 MFI 2.4L, which will be sitting some time due to an unfortunate incident. The MFI system and intakes are off, and there are a lot of 30 year old parts that could use some cosmetic help, until I can get to the mechanical issues!

Anyone painted the plastic bits - the air box, the intakes, etc.? Pictures, how did it hold up, what kind of paint & prep, etc...

Also been looking at the cad plating, which I kindof like but it needs help. Might be the same cost and effort to get them chromed...

-Boyo

[nick-moss]

Forget cadmium plating, it is all but illegal now.
All the parts on my 2.7MFI were coloured passivated zinc plated

[jeff m]

To paint the plastic bits use "plastic flexible primer" then "flexible top coat". Commonly used to touch up wheel trim.
You may have a problem if you or PO has used a silicon spray on them.

[skinnerd]

Here is a quick trick for your intakes that seems to really work. Spray them down with WD40 and let it sit overnight, then wipe off. Repeat until you get the desired look. My old intakes came back to looking nearly brand new after about 3 iterations. For the air box, I used some of that Forever Black with some success. Probably a better idea would be to spray it with some satin clear with flex agent. The air shroud (red-S, green-E, yellow/black-T) can be wet sanded to get rid of most of the dings and scratches, then clear coated again with satin to make it look brand new. I wouldn't paint it a different color, as you'll be chipping it in the future and the different color will show through. Replace as much hardware and hoses with new, and get the other stuff replated with cad or the colored zinc. The end result is always a much improved looking engine.... one you want to show off. Good luck