Painting my toploader...

[EL1NOR]

What should I do/use in order to scrub down the toploader I purchased and paint it??

Are there any how-to's online? I want to paint it and not worry about the crap just peeling off in 3 months of driving.

Thanks,
-Tim

 

[Ronstang]

I'm not a fan of painting aluminum castings myslelf because I feel it blocks the pores and holds in heat but others will disagree with me so the decision to paint is up to you. That being said I like to use Castrol SuperClean (WalMart ~5 gall and you dilute it) on all my greasy parts. It does a great job and it is a mild acid so it cleans castings pretty well. Once again some will say not to use it on cast aluminum but I'm not sure why. I cleaned up a T-5 that was real nasty and it looks almost brand new now. Just use a brush and lots of water to make sure you get all the residue off and you might be surprised at the way your tranny looks unpainted when clean.

 

[mr-fixit]

I have only seen cast iron top loaders. I had mine hot tanked when it was apart. Castrol Super Clean should work well if yours is assembled. I then painted it with "Cast Blast" and it has held up for over ten years. Just do not paint the part that is bolted to the bellhousing.

 

[EL1NOR]

I have only seen cast iron top loaders. I had mine hot tanked when it was apart. Castrol Super Clean should work well if yours is assembled. I then painted it with "Cast Blast" and it has held up for over ten years. Just do not paint the part that is bolted to the bellhousing.

Where can I get "Cast Blast"?? Is that also at Wal-Mart?

You guys don't know if there are any seals I'm going to need to buy for the swap out of my 3-speed to the 4-speed do you? I just got my Hurst Competition Plus shifter in the mail and I'm ready to clean/paint this thing then do the swap, I ordered a transmission jack from Harbor Freight Tools so that should be here by mid-week next week.

Thanks,
-Tim

 

[Ronstang]

"Cast Blast" is what Eastwood calls the product they sell but you can get a similar (if not the same) product at any auto parts store where they usually call it cast coat. I know Duplicolor makes it and I once had a can of it from Plasticoat so there are several manufacturers.

 

[allcarfan]

Take it to a local shop and have the bellhousing powdercoated? Then just clean, sand, and paint the trans whatever color you want...no one sees it anyway. I suggest a semi-gloss black