Painting the belt covers

[herm]

could someone who has done this already (Nakid ) post up a how to, specifically type of paint used, bake on time, etc...

thanks

[NAKID]

I used BBQ paint from Lowe's called American Tradition. It's a satin black.

I started by taking off the belt covers and cleaning them with dish soap. After thoroughly rinsing them, I popped them in the oven at about 150 for 15-20 mins.

After they cooled, I used several light coats of paint allowing them to dry for about 15-20 mins between coats. Once they had 2-3 coats and they had dried for a couple hours, I put them in the oven at about 180 degrees for 30 mins to "cure" the paint.

Once they cooled, I repeated the process a couple more times and ended up with a pretty durable product. Here is the end result.

[herm]

thanks dude!

exactly what i was looking for. i know you posted this on TOB, but i am tired of looking there for old info

edit: DAMMIT! my oven wont go as low as 150..........suppose 200 is safe?

[NAKID]

Should be fine. I think I've cooked the belts as high as about 240 or so...

[red baron]

get a red/maroon scuff pad and some Ajax.

use the scuff pad and Ajax together with some water, this will abrade and clean all in one step.

rinse well and allow to dry.

clean with some rubbing alcohol

I like to use a product from SEM called Trim Black needs no adhesion promoter and has the right sheen.

[Charlief]

I washed them real good with dish detergent.  Dries them well.  Then wiped down with acetone.  not letting my greasy fingers getting all over them I then sprayed light coats.  Maybe 3-4 total letting them dry between coats.  I used a paint made for automotive interior trim.  Has a nice satin finish to it.  I used it on my Corvette and got it from Ecklers.  I'm sure NAPA might have something similar.  I did not bake them.

[Vindingo]

Krylon makes a product called Fushion, made specifically to bond with plastics.  I havent used it FWIW...

[herm]

all right........anyone got a set of stock belt covers for a DS motor? 

[Charlief]

What did you do?

[red baron]

all right........anyone got a set of stock belt covers for a DS motor? 

yup

What did you do?

+1?

[herm]

wellllllllllll,

while my newly painted belt covers were sitting drying before i put them in the oven, a strong gust of wind tossed them into the dirt. they didnt look so good with the dirt and scratches in the partially dry paint

so, i once they were dry, i started scraping. and then i came across this......



kind of caught my attention, so i worked on the theme a while, and this is where it stands now...




what do y'all think? pursue this look. keep going with the all black belt covers? i am going to look for some metalic flake to match the engine case, and see how that looks on the parts of the belt that are currently grey. then i am gonna see if primer and a bunch of coats will cover up the ugliness that is my painted/scraped/sanded belt covers.

and if that fails, i will be looking for another set of belt covers

[NAKID]

Looks decent, but I think for the proper look, you'd need a satin clear over the whole thing...

[red baron]

I like it too.

[herm]

Looks decent, but I think for the proper look, you'd need a satin clear over the whole thing...

i agree, it is definately rough as-is.

i guess i will spend some time staring at spray paint tomorrow.

the goal would be for the outside of the covers to blend in/disappear against the engine, while the insides are defined and highlighted in black.

not sure if the bumps over the pulleys should stand out, or fade away?

maybe i should cut em out and glue in some clear windows...?

[herm]

ok, almost done.

still need to put a few coats of clear on em.......