I was working on a project and thought i would share. I don't post much and just read everyone's posts. I like to see people doing carbon fiber and modification to divide the many beautiful BMW s on the net. So anyways, I wanted to share my adventure of cheering up my engine bay with MotorSport colors. I have done this on my E30 M3 and wanted to bring that to my newer style E46 M3.
My Engine Bay was looking kind of boring and not quite what I was wanting when I pop my hood.
Valve Cover Paint (MotorSport Colors)
This is something I like to do to on my M3s just because I think it look nice and cheers up the engine bay. There is not much to it as it is simple to pull the part off and paint it. I try to do a nice job as if painted is the first place I look in the engine bay. All that is required is about 6 cans of paint, some blue and tan painters tape, and painting location.
1) White Primer ( Sandable )
2) White Base Coat (Engine Temp 500 degree)
3) Dodge Lt. Blue (Engine Temp 500 degree)
4) Ford Drk. Blue (Engine Temp 500 degree)
5) Ford Red (Engine Temp 500 degree)
6) Clear (Engine Temp 500 degree)
I am sure it wont get that hot in the engine bay but it is nice to have some protection. Plus the cost is pretty much the same for the other non engine paint.
Here is a shot I always see under the hood..
Click Here For Full Size
Now the prepping for each coat of color is a PITA for sure. Unless you enjoy taping around tight corners and around places while not screwing up the last laid color on a white background. So anyway. I used blue painters tape and the tan masking/painters tape to define the edges. Took me three day for this whole process. Sunday I pulled the part and painted the white primer and then the white back ground. Then on Monday I laid the colors. Oh the joy! Then today I was able to spray the clear with 3 coats and install back on. I ordered a new "M" badge to replace the on I broke in half prying the warmed up one off. They say the sticky wont stick so good when warm and should pop out of the "M" hole. No sure about this. So I bought another and waiting.
Here are some after pictures..
Click Here For Full Size
Click Here For Full Size
Click Here For Full Size
Click Here For Full Size
The look is something I like and I hope to see more modified valve covers or engine bays. Cheers!
Tolofou
My Engine Bay was looking kind of boring and not quite what I was wanting when I pop my hood.
Valve Cover Paint (MotorSport Colors)
This is something I like to do to on my M3s just because I think it look nice and cheers up the engine bay. There is not much to it as it is simple to pull the part off and paint it. I try to do a nice job as if painted is the first place I look in the engine bay. All that is required is about 6 cans of paint, some blue and tan painters tape, and painting location.
1) White Primer ( Sandable )
2) White Base Coat (Engine Temp 500 degree)
3) Dodge Lt. Blue (Engine Temp 500 degree)
4) Ford Drk. Blue (Engine Temp 500 degree)
5) Ford Red (Engine Temp 500 degree)
6) Clear (Engine Temp 500 degree)
I am sure it wont get that hot in the engine bay but it is nice to have some protection. Plus the cost is pretty much the same for the other non engine paint.
Here is a shot I always see under the hood..
Click Here For Full Size
Now the prepping for each coat of color is a PITA for sure. Unless you enjoy taping around tight corners and around places while not screwing up the last laid color on a white background. So anyway. I used blue painters tape and the tan masking/painters tape to define the edges. Took me three day for this whole process. Sunday I pulled the part and painted the white primer and then the white back ground. Then on Monday I laid the colors. Oh the joy! Then today I was able to spray the clear with 3 coats and install back on. I ordered a new "M" badge to replace the on I broke in half prying the warmed up one off. They say the sticky wont stick so good when warm and should pop out of the "M" hole. No sure about this. So I bought another and waiting.
Here are some after pictures..
Click Here For Full Size
Click Here For Full Size
Click Here For Full Size
Click Here For Full Size
The look is something I like and I hope to see more modified valve covers or engine bays. Cheers!
Tolofou