Engine Bay Pics*Post here*
#1037
03-10-2009, 05:57 PM
#1038
03-10-2009, 05:58 PM
#1039
03-10-2009, 07:41 PM
its pretty easy to paint the tanks and window washer filler. here's a 5-min DIY:
Removal
Filler tube: Unscrew/unclip the filler tube and pull it out.
Coolant tank: Disconnect hose next to radiator cap (make sure you keep the end of the hose above the level of the fluid in the tank), then pull the tank out of the car. Its just held in place by gravity and a little guide rail towards the engine.
Power steering fluid: This one is tricky. Put some shop towels under the tank before you start just in case anything spills. Use a battery filler or turkey baster and suck out all the fluid (DO NOT THROW IT AWAY). Once you think you've got it all, pull the tank loose (I think its also just held in place on a guide rail) and tilt it to the side. Use the battery filler and suck out the remaining fluid that you thought you already got out. Remove the hoses at the bottom of the tank and pull it out. IIRC, one of the hoses is a b!tch to get off.
Once you have the tanks out of the car, drain any remaining fluid out of them (DO NOT THROW IT AWAY!). I picked up a set of those cheap plastic, lidded cups from a dollar store to store my fluids.
Painting
Wash the tanks in soapy water, then dry them thoroughly.
Its a good idea to leave a small, inconspicuous area of the power steering and coolant tanks unpainted so you can still check fluid levels. Use masking or painter's tape. I don't have a picture of mine on this computer, but I'm sure someone on here (Shane, Sean, etc.) can post up one of theirs.
Its probably a good idea to spray on some plastic adhesive or primer before painting, but I didn't. Instead, I just put on a bunch of coats of high-temp black spray paint. Use flat or semi-gloss paint - gloss sticks out too much IMO.
Reinstall
Let the tanks dry for an hour or so and put them back in your car. Reconnect the hoses, refill the tanks carefully to the proper levels, and make sure there are no leaks.
You should be good to go
Removal
Filler tube: Unscrew/unclip the filler tube and pull it out.
Coolant tank: Disconnect hose next to radiator cap (make sure you keep the end of the hose above the level of the fluid in the tank), then pull the tank out of the car. Its just held in place by gravity and a little guide rail towards the engine.
Power steering fluid: This one is tricky. Put some shop towels under the tank before you start just in case anything spills. Use a battery filler or turkey baster and suck out all the fluid (DO NOT THROW IT AWAY). Once you think you've got it all, pull the tank loose (I think its also just held in place on a guide rail) and tilt it to the side. Use the battery filler and suck out the remaining fluid that you thought you already got out. Remove the hoses at the bottom of the tank and pull it out. IIRC, one of the hoses is a b!tch to get off.
Once you have the tanks out of the car, drain any remaining fluid out of them (DO NOT THROW IT AWAY!). I picked up a set of those cheap plastic, lidded cups from a dollar store to store my fluids.
Painting
Wash the tanks in soapy water, then dry them thoroughly.
Its a good idea to leave a small, inconspicuous area of the power steering and coolant tanks unpainted so you can still check fluid levels. Use masking or painter's tape. I don't have a picture of mine on this computer, but I'm sure someone on here (Shane, Sean, etc.) can post up one of theirs.
Its probably a good idea to spray on some plastic adhesive or primer before painting, but I didn't. Instead, I just put on a bunch of coats of high-temp black spray paint. Use flat or semi-gloss paint - gloss sticks out too much IMO.
Reinstall
Let the tanks dry for an hour or so and put them back in your car. Reconnect the hoses, refill the tanks carefully to the proper levels, and make sure there are no leaks.
You should be good to go
#1040
03-15-2009, 11:24 PM
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia
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#1042
03-15-2009, 11:47 PM
#1044
03-16-2009, 01:11 PM
Last edited by 2GoRNot2G; 03-16-2009 at 03:21 PM.
#1048
03-16-2009, 03:30 PM
To get an even and uniform coating that will be durable and look perfect, the metal item needs to be electrically charged so the negatively charged coating will bond to the metal properly....pretty different than just spraying on paint.
