9/27/10 Update.
Tonight was spent in the garage prepping the car to have the engine bay painted this coming Friday. I got a roll of painter’s paper to cover the car with, and I already had a roll of blue painter’s tape. I started inside the bay covering anything I didn’t want painted with the tape. Since I left the rear brake lines attached to the proportioning valve, they needed covered. There were some other misc. clips and lines that needed covered as well. I also taped up the holes in the firewall where the main wiring harness and the deleted a/c lines used to be. To protect the exterior of the car, I had to cover the windshield, fenders, mirrors and roof with the paper I purchased. I made sure to tape over any seams between the paper sheets. I still have a few things left that need taped, but I finished my roll of tape when I was covering the rest of the car with the paper. I also placed a plastic sheet on the floor and will attach it to the underside of the bay by the wheel wells. The wheel wells will be a gloss black to match the underside of the car. Tuesday night I’ll finish covering the car up, and then I’ll be spraying Friday.
Update 10.1.10
Well today is the day. Today started out at the paint store where I picked up my two cans of acrylic enamel vermillion paint and one can of etching primer. Spent around $54 for everything. Then I headed to the garage to get started. I used some scotchbrite pads m dad had in his shop to scuff the surface. Then I taped up the plastic drop cloth under the engine bay.
I started spraying the primer in the bay. I finished off the can and had two coats in the bay. I made sure the really bad areas that were down to bare metal were fully covered.
After I let the primer dry for a while, it was time to start with the red paint. Initially I started off inside the bay at the bottom and worked my way up the bay. The first can covered the first coat in the bay. I let that dry for a while, then decided it was time to spray the second coat on. I got started with the second can and about half way through the second coat the nozzle got clogged. With this happening, and due to the fact that the second coat wasn't done, I had to get another can.
Lunch Break!!! That double whopper was delicious.
I returned to the garage to finish the second coat after lunch. I finished off the second can and even hit some hard to reach/see places. All in all the bay turned out great. I have two or three minor runs in the paint, but for this being the first time spraying, I think it turned out good.
In between paint coats I decided to clean up the wastegate I purchased the other week. I had some leftover polish, so I started cleaning it up. It only took a few minutes to do. It's so clean that you can see yourself in the surface.
On a side note to anyone that plans on painting in the future. It's a good idea to wear a protective mask to cover your mouth and nose. Here's why.
Before paint.
After paint.
10.15.10
The only thing I have to update right now is the selling and purchasing of my coilover set-up. The other day a member of TeamZX2 made an offer on my Ford Racing coilovers, and I'm gonna take it. That way I can get a brand new killer set-up for my car, (which will be made known as soon as the deal goes through).
I need to find time to get back in the garage and start installing the support rails and suspension parts that I have painted.