Paint in engine bay questions

[B0udreaux]

I wanna refresh my intake manifold plate. I have an '86 GT Hatchback.

I see some refurbished ones on ebay for like $120, but first I'm uncertain about fitment. It lists that it fits an '86 as well as 87-93 , but when I look at new ones on other sites like lmr or cjpony the 86 and 87-93 seem different, and I cant find one that looks like the one I have, there seem to be blank ones available, but not the OEM looking one. I guess I'd like to take my current one off and clean it up and paint it first before fooling with fitment and replacement.

Things I do not know:

• How do I get the old paint off? Chemicals? Wire brushes? Sandblasting (how does one even do this ? special equipment?)?
• What type of paint do I need to use to finish it? I assume the heat of the location will dictate that some kind of special paint is used but I really have no idea. I'm working with the art teacher at the school I work at to make it look pretty, but she hasn't worked on engine parts before and is as ignorant as I am regarding this.

Thanks in advance,
B0udreaux

 

[91AOD5.0LX]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6R3N90UBCA

 

[91AOD5.0LX]

Dont over think this project.
Use the drill with the wire wheel as in the video to rip the paint off, then clean very well with isopropyl alcohol, spray the entire plate with whichever black you choose, then sand the surface (high spots) with 600 grit sandpaper. It will come out looking great.

 

[Mustang5L5]

It's actually pretty easy to restore them. Hardest part is stripping them down. Sandblasting would be ideal but you can get creative.

Then, spray the entire plate top with your color of choice, and then hit the top surface with a sanding disk and done.

Oh and 1986 did have a unique plate, but they interchange with 87-93 and the 97-01 explorer plates. Pick whatever one appeal to you.

 

[rednotch]

Hardest part is taking them off without stripping the hardware lol. Paint and a belt / palm sander for 87-93.. 86 and non ho plates need a bit more detail sanding With the raised logo and lettering but same deal.

 

[limp]

Before and after Valve covers... Same idea
Cleaned them up with sand paper and wire wheel, paint the entire surface, then sand off the paint on the ribs and lettering

 

[ctandc]

Prep - clean it. Clean it again. Wipe with tack rag.
Ceramic engine primer - heat the piece to be painted with a heat gun - just to warm it up - the primer / paint flows MUCH better. LIGHT coats. After a bit of off gassing - use the heat gun on each coat. Then top the primer with your color choice of high heat engine paint. Same process. Then top with a good clear if you really want it to last.

Alternatively - you can hit up a local auto body / paint supply. Get your choice of color (actual auto base coat) put into a spray can. Use a good primer. Top with light coats of color, then hit it with a true 2K (2 part hardened clear that resists gas etc - same clear coat used on the car's paint)

Spraymax makes a true 2K clear in a spray can. It's an actual 2K clear coat in a spray can. I've repainted bumper covers / fenders with BC/CC using this process when I didn't feel like getting my spray gun out.

 

[ctandc]

Here's an engine done with the ceramic engine primer / paint- no clear. It looked the same except for dust after 15k miles when I sold the vehicle.

Check my thread for pics of the bumper covers I painted / cleared on my car as well if interested.

 

[AeroCoupe]

If you can find someone with a bead blaster its worth paying them to clean it up for you. Most powder coating shops have them.