Painting M50 manifold?

[takuma M3]

thinking of painting my Intake Manifold. I have two colors in mind, 1st is wrinkle black and the 2nd choice is like a silver metal.

here's a pic of the silver.
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h329/nyc_drummer23/2012_06_29_19_43_19.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/nyc_drummer23/media/2012_06_29_19_43_19.jpg.html)

which one you think will look best?

thanks

[1000hp]

Wrinkle black if anything. That silver sht looks terrible.

[takuma M3]

lol

[sjpgoalie]

That pic makes me think of the m51. So much silver paint.

[Lints]

Do a body color match!




But really, don't do that. Black all the way

[hide1]

For anyone sourcing a m50 that looks dirty, faded, etc. wipe it down with motor oil and let it sit overnight. That how most distributors make old crusty ones look like new before sending out. The oils get leached over time and it can restore the factory look within reason. This goes for most black plastics.. ie trim etc.

[NeilM]

For anyone sourcing a m50 that looks dirty, faded, etc. wipe it down with motor oil and let it sit overnight. That how most distributors make old crusty ones look like new before sending out. The oils get leached over time and it can restore the factory look within reason. This goes for most black plastics.. ie trim etc.

Or, radical suggestion I know, you can use a product that's actually made to condition plastic. Vinylex, Armor All, etc.

Neil

[ScotcH]

Or, radical suggestion I know, you can use a product that's actually made to condition plastic. Vinylex, Armor All, etc.

Neil

Lol ... was going to suggest WD40 :D

[HeelAndToe85]

Don't paint it, man.

[hide1]

Or, radical suggestion I know, you can use a product that's actually made to condition plastic. Vinylex, Armor All, etc.

Neil

I suppose that sounds a bit thick if one's never heard of it before lol. Actually, learned this from Eric @ M50manifold.com and others used successfully as well. There's probably a link if I dig around for it. It was also a trick used by my dad when he was in the industry detailing high end stuff at the time. And, nothing wrong with a light dusting of WD-40 on the engine bay after a quick scrub/ rinse w simple green. It's one of the best ways to achieve level German cleanliness.

Also should clarify the above was not to imply, used motor oil of course. And excess should be wiped off. Just curious, have you used those products in the engine bay before? Unless they're intended for use with high heat, I'd be careful with other treatments. As far the Armor All line, I know some have good luck with it but am I the only one that wont let it near my car?

Regarding the OP pic. This is clearly a RHD car but what is that cable routed over the intake manifold? Also, it looks like this person put some time to rice up with a CF stripe over the intake header in addition to the silver?! Or are my tired eyes playing tricks on me..

[takuma M3]

so nobody likes the wrinkle black?
I think will looks nice.

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http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h329/nyc_drummer23/m313-1.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/nyc_drummer23/media/m313-1.jpg.html)

[hc1001]

Regarding the OP pic. This is clearly a RHD car but what is that cable routed over the intake manifold? Also, it looks like this person put some time to rice up with a CF stripe over the intake header in addition to the silver?! Or are my tired eyes playing tricks on me..

Throttle body cable?

[ScotcH]

so nobody likes the wrinkle black?
I think will looks nice.

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http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h329/nyc_drummer23/m313-1.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/nyc_drummer23/media/m313-1.jpg.html)

That looks retarded ... and his camber plates are installed wrong.

[1000hp]

That looks retarded ... and his camber plates are installed wrong.

...and there's a raceland sticker in there.
...and a bunch of blue nonsense

[takuma M3]

lol

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I'm just referring to the Intake manifold.
I'm neutral about it, but I think it's funny because his engine bay got many props from members here and now it looks stupid.lol

[NeilM]

Just curious, have you used those products in the engine bay before? Unless they're intended for use with high heat, I'd be careful with other treatments.

Yes, I do use them in the engine bay on a regular basis — either Vinylex, or 303 Protectant. Heat isn't an issue, even on my track car. Given BMW's extensive use of plastic and its tendency to self-destruct over time <insert own E36 plastic parts horror story here>, use of a plastic conditioner of some kind is a wise precaution to help extend useful life.

485974


As far the Armor All line, I know some have good luck with it but am I the only one that wont let it near my car?

Yeah, I actually don't care for Armor All myself. Way too shiny.

Back to the OP's original question though, I wouldn't paint the stock plastic. I've seen too many engine compartments with flaking (not to mention flakey...) paint jobs.

Neil

[jayjaya29]

Painted mine satin black. Looks OEM and I know it won't fade. Did a light coat, doubt it'll chip/flake off.

http://i.imgur.com/C0HbmBml.jpg

[takuma M3]

^
http://i1104.photobucket.com/albums/h329/nyc_drummer23/The-Not-Bad-Face_5df02dbb8465aed3df5bde5fd16d5d18-1.jpg (http://s1104.photobucket.com/user/nyc_drummer23/media/The-Not-Bad-Face_5df02dbb8465aed3df5bde5fd16d5d18-1.jpg.html)

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I decided to leave stock for now,maybe in the future I'll do wrinkle black with the valve cover.
thanks you guys for your feedback and opinions.

[SilentDawn]

When I painted my bay, I did the manifold as well. Degreased, adhesion promoter, High build primer, sanded primer smooth. Base, clear. Been fine for 2 years.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/sd_silentdawn/Forums/IMG_0719.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f143/sd_silentdawn/Forums/IMG_0721.jpg

I vote against wrinkle finish...

[hide1]

485974


Neil, how did I miss this thumbnail? Non-ricers take note^^. Tidy engine bay: check. Leak free: all gaskets look to be in proper working order, no spills/ drips, check. Possible oil cooler lines?: check. Euro reservoir relo?: check. M50 + modified M50 fuel rail cover in place: check. AL body t-stat housing: check. Do I spy Zionsville kit?

Not to flame anyone here, just proves the point there's plenty to keep you busy before you go color matching hoses and fuse box covers..

[cdmbmw]

When I painted my bay, I did the manifold as well. Degreased, adhesion promoter, High build primer, sanded primer smooth. Base, clear. Been fine for 2 years.

I vote against wrinkle finish...

All that work and the runners are still restrictive..

[propcar]

Lol ... was going to suggest WD40 :D

Worked for me.

[takuma M3]

I used black magic and olive oil.
made look brand new.

again thanks guys

[NeilM]

Not to flame anyone here, just proves the point there's plenty to keep you busy before you go color matching hoses and fuse box covers..

Thanks for the kind words. This is what happens when you like working on your car and have owned it since new. My own taste runs to factory-like, or in some cases, how the factory might have done it if they'd gone that way. Mine is primarily a track car, so everything I add or change has to earn its place.

While it wouldn't suit my needs, SilentDawn's painted manifold is an impressive piece of workmanship on his part.

Neil

[SilentDawn]

All that work and the runners are still restrictive..

Yes, but I just don't drive this car much in the upper rev ranges to see the larger gain from the m50 mani. I'd rather have the slightly better lower end torque.

And if I botched an attempt at painting a plastic manifold, I wanted it to be a crappy s52 manifold!

If I literally stumble over an m50 manifold somewhere I'll consider the swap.



While it wouldn't suit my needs, SilentDawn's painted manifold is an impressive piece of workmanship on his part.

Neil

Thanks! That means a lot.