Mazda3 Engine Cover

[OTUA YM]

Finally finished my engine cover.

Had to sacrifice a TM3 window sticker for the sake of art.... good thing I bought 4 of them.
Cover is completely done with high-heat paint.... no stickers or sharpies !!

The Mazda3 logo came out okay, considering one of the A\\\'s is hand painted.
... when removing the sticker the second \\\"a\\\" peeled off the base orange/red coat. :(

Here\\\'s some pics.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/Mazda3Pix/cover_01.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/Mazda3Pix/cover_02.jpg

[majic]

looking good! :) your negine bay is pretty clean!!!

i guess you did the whole thing red/orange and then did the black in the middle?

[Junior]

NICE WORK! ..... A+ for originality ... big ups to trying out something different, looks hawt!

[Optimzer]

very very nice

where did you get the paint? was it spray or brush?

[OTUA YM]

i guess you did the whole thing red/orange and then did the black in the middle?


Ya, I actually did 2 colours.
Painted it WHITE first so that the ORANGE RED would come out brighter.
I also used HIGH GLOSS BLACK, but it was a pain.
The paint has a rough texture to it, so that it reflects the light.
The edge of the Mazda3 is not a clean as I had hoped.

Anyways, Here is the process.... Fun Wow !!!

- Remove Mazda Logo
- Clean cover with Alcohol
- Cover back with plastic bag
- 2 coats of Duplicolor High Heat (WHITE)... light sanding between coats
- 3 coats of Duplicolor Engine Enamel (CHEVY ORANGE RED)... light sanding between coats
- Tape off and cover ORANGE RED area with plastic bag... The bottom of the groove on each side was left exposed
- Apply Mazda3 decal
- 4 coats of Duplicolor Engine Enamel (HIGH GLOSS BLACK)
- Remove Tape and Plastic
- Remove Mazda3 decal... very slowly and pray it works !!!
- Paint Small Letters in Duplicolor Engine Enamel (CHEVY ORANGE RED)... spray paint into margarine container and use a tiny brush to apply
- Paint Large Letters in Duplicolor Engine Enamel (ALUMINUM)... I also painted the letters on the valve cover with this paint
- 2 coats of Duplicolor Engine Enamel (CLEAR)
- Reapply Mazda Symbol with new 3M tape
- DONE !!! :D

[Electra-fire]

OUTSTANDING!!! GREAT EFFORT and a fantastic turn out!! Props to you!!
You really took your time and it shows!!
Good choice of color, matches really well :]

[WhiteSpeed3]

i messed up my cover
i used hi heat paint how do i remove it

[ZeroChalk]

Good job OTUA YM!

[Junior]

Originally posted by the only dual


i messed up my cover
i used hi heat paint how do i remove it


brake fluid

DISCLAIMER: try at your own risk

[WhiteSpeed3]

i got some of that red tuck tape and put it on and just ripped it off really quick and all the paint came off good as new ready to start over again:D

[Electra-fire]

Originally posted by the only dual


i got some of that red tuck tape and put it on and just ripped it off really quick and all the paint came off good as new ready to start over again:D

Tape eh? Good thinkin RED GREEN hehe \"I love that guy\"
Hey good luck with attempt #2, hope it turns out better for you
Posts pics when ya get a chance :]

[al01]

i dont have a engine cover lol :p

[DeLaY_NoMoRe]

As soon I picked up my m3 at new, I just took off the engine cover......there were several reasons:

* I think it has no actual use other than a better looking in the engine bay (but who cares, no one can actually see it except urself!)

* When it\'s taken off, there will be a better ventilation/cool down for the engine compartment

* The engine cover won\'t get dirt from my daily driving, and I will definitely put it back on after yrs when I am ready to sell the car (it\'ll keep the engine bay looks like new!)
:D

[TheProfessor]

You could just wash it when it\'s time to sell the car you know.

[Newlook]

Outstanding job OTUA YM, it looks damn good!!