Hey guys, I just finished the port & polish on the UIM and LIM on my VQ30DE-K, I'll post some pics after work today.

Yesterday I hand sanded the UIM in order to paint it, but before I go ahead with the painting of the UIM I was wondering what stuff can I use to clean inside the UIM ?

I've tried some engine cleaner on a towel and it work great but before I empty the can inside the UIM and let it soake for a while, it is suggest to rinse with water after, is it ok to throw water in the UIM ? I mean it will have plenty of time to dry before I install it on the engine.

Thanks for advising.

AA

 

Find the most costic chemical you can find because it takes a lot of elbow grease to get that buildup crap out. Nothing can really hurt the aluminum.

 

I have a 2001 maxima so the UIM is made of composite material not aluminum but let me guess it make no difference.

 

No, no difference. Grease Lightning works wonders. Let it set for a while and use a rag, not paper towels. Go green! haha, but you will use a lot.

 

Oh yeah, missed that you were 01.

 

I finally sprayed some engine cleaner, let it soak for a while. I then let the UIM soak in a hot soapy water for a couple of hours and rinse it thoroughly with clean water. Blow some air and now I'm letting it dry completely for a week or so before painting.

Thanks

AA

 

So did the cleaner/hot soapy water dissolve all of the caked grease?

 

Oh ya it came pretty clean so I'll be able to spray paint the UIM this week-end.

 

with the stock aluminum UIM, I filled it with acetone and let it soak for a day. is this a bad idea on the 00vi? i'm thinking so.

 

No. Its a composite material. I HIGHLY doubt it will affect it. Its tough, hard and durable.

 

Here is a few pics of my UIM painted. The pics doesn't do justice to the color, which is purple haze and look really good.

 

8O Thats it, Im painting mine before it goes on.

Mind sharing what kind of paint you used? What it simply the 1200* paint?

 

I used Duplicolor that can sustain up to 500 degree F.

I first sanded the UIM by hand, it took me a good 4-5 hours since I'm very meticulous and I didn't wanted the paint to easily peeled off.

I used a good quality primer. I put the first coat of primer then I lightly sanded, then second coat of primer another sanding and them third coats or primer and sanding as well.

I put 3 coats of DupliColor Purple Haze and finally apply 3 coats of high velocity clear coats on top.

Even if your painting is not perfect the clear coats will mask most of it and make it shine, but even though give your best
shot when painting knowing that if it doesn't turn as good as you would like the clear will make it shine anyway.

 

looks good, but why would you paint it?

 

The UIM isn't corosive so why paint it? Looks? Go for the sleeper look FTMFW!

 

BTW it looks good. Sorry for the criticism.

 

it looks great sure, but why trap the heat?

 

Looks good, better than that marbled look of the 00vi when not painted, Also in regard to trapping heat, I read that painting the VIM actually helps to keep the flowing air cool instead of latently absorbing heat from the engine bay, but in this case since the 00vi is composite... heat transfer wouldn't be much of an issue like in the aluminum intake. Thinking of doing the same, great job DOUBLEA, what do you think MOHFpro will painting b an issue, I don't believe it will..?

 

I dont think it will, just my opinion. In theory, smoother surfacing transfers heat better, so it might release more. Who knows. Either way, its negligible.

 

the paint will trap the heat inside the manifold, where it didnt use to be a problem because it was composite. but the paint now makes another layer for heat to transfer through and it will trap more heat. the difference wont be huge but will be there. and the thing about it keeping heat from the engine bay out proves that point more, it is a barrier to heat. we all know (or should know) that the manifold's heat doesnt come from engine bay heat but heat transfer through the materials.

the point: it looks great, but just like most things that look great, its more for looks than performance

 

True true...now you're making me not want to paint mine before it goes on...

 

well its all about what you are MOST interested in. for me, absolute performance is atop the list. i think if appearance is 50% or greater in your interest, then go for the painting.

 

Because it look much better, wait until the engine is all together with all the chrome polishing, powder coating etc.

 

Sorry guys but the theory of the heat trap in the UIM because of the paint is not very strong you have to try harder. It's incredible what jaleous people can say. Lol

 

it looks cool !

 

Nice sig pic Chris! Where was it taken, Kapiti Coast?

 

 

yeah, im jealous of your 3.0

 

Trust me you will. Lol

 

lol...lol....
3.5ftw

 

125 shot should do the trick.

/thread