Today Is Car Day

[violentrapture]

Hey everybody,
A friend from work got a new truck, so we're going to be playing with our cars today. My plans are: painting the engine thing (what's it called... that long piece that says 2.4L on it... it's like a cover), painting the brake calipers, re-siliconing the headlights and putting in new spark plugs. So, here are my questions for the day:

1. I know I need to use the VHT paint for the calipers, but do you have to use some kind of clear coat after doing the color, or do you just do the color?
2. How many coats of paint?
3. How long should it be left to dry? (both on the engine part and the calipers)
4. Billy (guy from work) is a big fan of Bosch "4 way" spark plugs - are they any good, and should I use them, or some other kind for my car?
5. Any other quick things that y'all can think of that I should do today?

Thanks a bunch,
Collin

[Redog]

I bought a brake paint. It stands up to the heat, and you can use it on the engine. Brake paint can stand more heat than engine paint.

I only did one on my manifold and I'm sorry I didn't do more. I did 4 on the calipers and I was happy.

I had the Bosch +4's in my car and after about 25000 miles they started to misfire something crazy. I have the 3400 so I don't know if the 2.4 is different. I know Oldsman has the +2's in his car with no problems

[violentrapture]

So, if I understand right - use the same VHT paint for both the calipers and the engine parts and do at least 4 coats on everything? What about cleaning the calipers - do I need to do anything special there? Also, what about clear... does just the spray paint leave a good enough finish to not need coats of clear? How long did you let yours dry before using it?
Sorry for all the questions, I just don't want to mess anything up, or have it look like some high school kid tagging the side of a building.
Thanks for the response,
Collin

[eag182]

I don't think the clear coat would stand up to the heat, and you don't need it. My regular engine paint works fine on my calipers. I used about 5 to 7 light coats. Make sure you clean them really well before hand.

[Pimpalero03]

they make a really good caliper painting kit. here it is. u brush it on. i did like 5 coats then clear coated it. dirt never stuck to it

[Pimpalero03]

final product...

^ that looks nice, i've gotta paint my calipers black sometime soon

[ImSoBored]

I've heard of people having bad experiences with the +4s

[violentrapture]

Alright, got some good info. I'll look for that kit Pimpalero3 - I'm about to head out to go do all this... got about an hour for any last tips if anybody has any. Regarding the spark plugs, since I'm hearing some bad things about the "+4" - what should I get. Redog mentioned the "+2" up there - if I want those, do I just ask for the plus two spark plugs? Also, what's the best way to clean the calipers prior to painting them? I've seen a couple of posts on here about people cleaning their calipers, but they said it took a wire brush, sandpaper and like three hours. Is there some sort of something you can soak them in and eliminate the "elbow grease"?
Thanks guys,
Collin

[Cliff8928]

Originally posted by violentrapture@Apr 23 2005, 06:19 AM
(what's it called... that long piece that says 2.4L on it... it's like a cover)

That thing is called an IDI Cover. IDI = Integrated Direct Ignition.

The problem with the Bosch platinum plugs (any of them) is that they usually don't work too well with a waste spark ignition system (this is where one coil is used for 2 cylinders) which the 3400 and the 2.4 have (the Ecotec does not however). Some people have had experiences of the platinum center actually wearing away on 1/2 of the plugs, which causes it to run poorly. I would recommend the use of either a standard plug, or a double platinum plug (like the stock ACDelco plugs). That way they all wear at the same rate.

[cannaert]

I work at Murray's Dicount Auto and i dont even sell the Bosch +4 to any one that owns a GM. Ever time some buys them with in a week they come back and get the the Bosch Plats. But if you got a Ford your find. Witch you dont.

[violentrapture]

Well, here you go:

More pictures in my showcase thread. Thanks guys for all your help.

[attachmentid=6364]

:wtf: what happened to painting your calipers IDI? your heads look great tho...i'm going to be clearing mine this weekend! for anybody who reads this...does the oven trick work pretty well?

[violentrapture]

Ah, the calipers... well, I bought the stuff (see pictures below). All I had time to do today though was re-silicon the headlights, paint the IDI cover and clean the front driver's side caliper - those things are a pain to get clean. I was helping a co-worder today also - replaced his rear shocks, cap, spark plugs and some other assorted goodies. His truck is on air bags, so it took a good while to get the shocks replaced. The lighting angle on the picture below is kind of bad, so you can't really see how glossy the IDI cover looks. I should be able to get some more pictures tomorrow.
Cheers,
Collin

[attachmentid=6368]

[violentrapture]

VHT paint (used for the IDI cover) and the kit, which was supposed to be used for the calipers - should get around to doing them sometime this week, bosch plugs (they kept saying i should get the platinum 4+ ones, so I did - they're only like $6/ea., so I guess if they go bad it's no big deal to replace them, and the new xenon chrome 194 bulbs.

[attachmentid=6369]

[violentrapture]

Billy's truck... (pain in the rear working on the underside of this thing).

[attachmentid=6370]

[Pimpalero03]

i dunno if u did this or not, but u should clear coat ur calipers. works great for making the calipers look wet and stay clean. oh and to clean, just use brake cleaner and a tooth brush. that is all i did