I have seen a couple max's on here who have painted the black plastic pieces under the hood (like the ones covering the struts and the engine) to match their cars...I think chernmax and then there was a silver one I saw as well. I'd like to do mine, but I am curious to know if there's any sort of specific process as in: sanding, what type of paint, spray or brush, etc. Any advice would be helpful. (I have the ivory pearl/ winterfrost white color on my car, so what should I get to match it...I don't think touch-up paint comes in an aerosol can ) Thanks in advance.

 

Some members are gifted with a spray can and have done excellent cover work, I personally fine sanded mine with 600 grid sandpaper, applied plastic paint promoter then high temp flat black and took all covers to a body shop for color match. The key to a long lasting great look is the prep, if you cut corners in this area, the paint may look great at first but then start peeling up in chunks (paint seperates from the plastic). I learned this lesson the hard way...

 

There is a product called Krylon Fushion. It bonds to plastics without primer or sanding. Very easy to apply in light coates, and dries in about 1/2 hr. Biggest problem with a do it your self spray can is it won't match your color, I think prepin it yourself then to a paint shop is the best idea if you want a color match. Otherwise go with another color like gloss black or other, like I did.
The paint has held up great, but I'm gonna do another color come spring or maybe all gloss black.
Good luck.

 

thanks for the advice from both of you...I'm going to try it tomorrow I think...depends how ambitious I feel. I mean, it IS winter break for me

 

On mine i just used spray cans 1st primer, 2nd high temp 3rd is clear coat for it to shine

 

And you my friend are one of the gifted ones I was referring too, your bay looks HOT!!!

 

Thanks CHERN cant afford to bring it to a shop... rather spent the money on other parts

 

I took mine to a paint and body place... they used just normal paint from the dealership... did a SLIGHT sand job.. very minor... and BAM... came out great..

they wouldnt NOT however paint my engine cover... LOL... said it would crack.... some bs like that LOL...

Anyway ... they charged me 140 for all mine...i only have pics of the two... ill get the other two soon

and yes i have cleaned my engine bay ... i know it was dirty LOL

 

THANKS FOR ALL THE TIPS! One other question though: Do you all use some sort of masking tape to cover the nissan emblem in the middle of the engine cover?

 

Might be easier to use a product called Liquid Mask. Its mainly for hobbyist, model airplanes and cars but it goes on wet with a brush and dries rubbery. You just peel it off afterwards. The Nissan Burger is not that easy to get a good mask job on and around, especially if you want to paint the areas inside the emblem.

 

The nisssan burger has 3 snap clips to hold it into the engine cover. Just pops off. Carefull not to break the clips.

 

Materials: $25 to $30
1) 1 Can spray paint [I used Red Opulence to match the color of my car, you may use a different brand spray paint, I see Krylon has a spray for plastics called "Fusion" thats very good. and I believe primer is not needed]
2) 1 can spray primer [I used red primer, but black would be ok, or grey if your painting it a light color]
3) 1 Can spray clearcoat
4) 1 tack cloth
5) 400 or 600 wet sandpaper [I had this plus I used fine steel wool]
all of the above was purchased from the link below
http://www.automotivetouchup.com/spray_paint.asp

1) After removing the cover I removed the Nissan hamburger & the silver top center section [these are very easy to remove] and masked off the "V6 3.5"
2) A light sanding was next, followed by a cleaning [hosed off] & wipe down with the tack cloth
3) 1st primer coat [I let it dry over night]
4) very light sanding, then a cleaning & wipe down with tack cloth
5) 2nd primer coat, [I let it dry over night]
6) repeat step 4
7) 3 color coats, 15 to 25 mins between coats, let dry over 24 hours, do not sand color coats
8) 2 clearcoats, let dry 24 hours,
9) Remove masking tape & reinstall Nissan burger & silver section
10) Reinstall engine cover, pat self on back

I painted this cover in June of 2006, it still looks this way today, no cracks or peeling, photo below taken on 10/16/07

 

Wow that looks so good, it almost looks fake!

 

I shaved my emblem: