How to: Paint an intake

[991.8l]

I always wanted a blue intake for my protege and a red intake for my TSX. I paid about $260 for a new blue AEM intake... all the while passing up chrome AEM intakes for half the price. I went a different route this time... I found a used AEM intake for about $100 that was chrome... but it sat for a year or so in my basement.. cause I wasn't happy that it wasn't red. :p

I finally took the time to paint it, and I wanted to share the excellent results.

Tools:

1. Can of Metal Cast Red Paint.
2. Can of Caliper Cleaner or acetone/brake cleaner.
3. Painters Tape
4. Newspaper
5. Hair Dryer
6. Face mask (or you will end up like me with red in your nose lol)

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/th_PICT8925.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/?action=view&current=PICT8925.jpg)

Step 1.

Removed all the AEM stickers (two) with a hair dryer... tried to save them as best I could.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/th_PICT8911.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/?action=view&current=PICT8911.jpg)

Step 2.

Cleaned the intake with the acetone to remove the sticky stuff and remove the dirt/dust. The can recommends that you also consider sanding... but I skipped this step.. didn't want to ruin the shiny finish.

Step 3.

Stuff the intake with paper and tape the holes with painters tape. Tape the edge. This prevents the paint from getting in the tube (all I need is paint flaking off and ending up in my motor).

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/th_PICT8912.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/?action=view&current=PICT8912.jpg)

Step 4.

Spray a light coat from half a foot away as a base coat, front and back. Wait to dry 3-5 mins between 3-5 sprays.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/th_PICT8913.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/?action=view&current=PICT8913.jpg)

Step 5.

Keep coating the intake as much as you have patience for... I found that it only became shiny when I sprayed slowly about 1 inch away from the pipe.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/th_PICT8916.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/?action=view&current=PICT8916.jpg)

Step 6.

Allow to dry for 1 hour or 5 days (according to the can)... I waited 3 hours, then did one final coat.

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/th_PICT8917.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/?action=view&current=PICT8917.jpg)

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/th_PICT8919.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/?action=view&current=PICT8919.jpg)

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/th_PICT8920.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/?action=view&current=PICT8920.jpg)

Step 7.

Affix AEM decals that you removed (or leave them off).

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/th_PICT8923.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/?action=view&current=PICT8923.jpg)

http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/th_PICT8924.jpg (http://s115.photobucket.com/albums/n318/2K5TSX/TSX%20Intake/?action=view&current=PICT8924.jpg)


Note: The intake looks awesome, but I can't give it any points for being durable... it scratches off fairly easy... so i'm hoping it will look ok a few years down the line... if not I will repaint it.

[1MAZDA]

Very nice work!

[991.8l]

^ Thanks, excited to finally install it. Check out my old thread about the issue, lol.

http://www.toprotege.com/forums/showthread.php?t=42924&highlight=AEM+intake

[evil_y2k_twin]

Copy cat. lol. Except i didn't use Metalcast red.

[991.8l]

ya, I didn't want to use the metal spec... wanted a darker red.

[Brian MP5T]

Nice job..

[Filippo]

wouldnt a few coats of some clear help the durability?

[Demetron]

Nice surface finish! Looks maad OEM..

[991.8l]

wouldnt a few coats of some clear help the durability?

I've had bad experience with clear coat, for some reason the paint tends to crack. I may test some on the back of the intake... the paint however according to the instructions can be used without it.. and in the motor I'm not sure how heat resistant the clear coat will be.

[00bluees]

metalcast doesnt get along with clearcoat is my experiences with it.

[991.8l]

^ thanks for letting me know. :)

[Logan]

The can recommends that you also consider sanding... but I skipped this step.. didn't want to ruin the shiny finish.


If you had have followed this step, the paint wouldn't be so easy to flake off...

[991.8l]

^ it doesn't flake, it can be scratched off.. the pipe would also lose it's shine. Will see how it is after its had time to fully dry.

[thekid]

^ does the shine matter when it's covered with paint? :confused:

[e2wJunglist]

The paint will have it's own shine. Sanded or not all you are seeing is the paint.

you should lolways sand before painting :)

[991.8l]

If I need to repaint, I will use the 400p sand paper as it recommends. (i'll need too anyway, to get all the paint off.. lol.)

[viper_707]

^ does the shine matter when it's covered with paint? :confused:
the metal cast is like a candy so it will show what ever u use as a base.