repaint (?) louvers on engine decklid

I would repaint it satin black

 

originally the louvres are black anodized, not painted

 

Do it CORRECTLY...GET EM ANODIZED... DO NOT PAINT

Some have even powder coated, still a great application but not original, maintain the originalty and have it done right, anodized.

(i like to keep things as original as possible, enjoy YOUR car.)

IMO.

 

If you have them painted, will the paint come off cause they are anodized?

 

anodized alu can be painted if the proper grounding is applied. But why should you, better had them anodized again if they are in really bad shape.


Working in an anodizing shop for years my experience: anodized alu will last a lifetime IF properly maintained.
so, never use acid or sodiumbased means but allways use a Ph7 (neutral) solvent. Clean them with a simple green abrassive sponge (als used to clean pots and pans) and after cleaning just apply some gun-oil.

re-use the oil every 6 months to maintain a nice dark look

 

The finish on my black louversand window trim has degraded to a nice purple look which contrasts nicely with the black paint

 

Just for comparison, I got a quote to re-anodize my rear engine louvers along with the front grill and the three top QV grills by the lights: $600 for everything.

I haven't done it yet though cause there's a $150 setup charge and I'm trying to decide if I should remove some window trim and do it as well at the same time.

 

Hi,

I did this last year. Yes there are rivets to take out for sure. We used a drill to drill the rivets out. Search the threads here, as this procedure discussed here before and the threads contain plenty of great useful info.

To put the louvers it, we also used rivets with a simple rivet gun found at Home Depot or Loews. HD or Loews guns work well because they are skinny enough to get in there between where the space as you can see is tight.

We used silver rivets and later I used a black testors paint and a tiny brush (both from Crafts store like Michaels) to paint them black. I do think that black rivets are available.

Overall - everything looks awesome. Just my experience and best of luck to you! Enjoy your car!!

 

I'm looking into this as we speak for my car. I found one source locally that has agreed to do this--no price from them yet though. Every other anodizer here has small tanks and the louvers simply won't fit.

They guy I found explained the process, stripping and etching than anodizing. Takes 2 weeks.

Anybody know how much this should cost?

 

that's actually pretty common for unmaintained black anodized aluminium too. Maybe can I can give some inside:


Anodizing is basically nothing else than having aluminium oxidized. Two differences between what man call anodizing and the ( known to us all) oxidizing of aluminium:

1) with anodizing we're able to actually control the building of a nice, dense and evenly formed layer of Al2O3 ( With normal oxidizing this layer will be like the moonsurface, some parts of the surface will oxide very quickly, mainly due to imperfections, while other parts can resist the attacks of oxigen far better, all this resulting in a white powerish layer)

2) with anodizing this nice layer of aluminium oxide is than closed (sealed) by dipping the produkt in boiling water.(with some additives) This water will form an AL-Watercomplex ( I admit, now it's getting really into things) closing the layer and making it resitant to any further o2 attacks

For colored anodised alu, like our louvres, before they seal the layer is basically filled with a color)

This toplayer of sealed black anodized aluminium will "wear" in time leaving a purple colored layer.
( when an adising shop does a bad job good, meaning the thickness of the layer is way above thew desired thickness of about 20 micron, even newly anodized product can have the same purple glance > bad job done, wear of the layer already done)

You can simple remove this purple layer with the green sponge mentionened above.

Bear in mind: anodized aluminium is very hard ( like glass) so do not be afraid that you hurt the aluminium. You won't, (as long as the layer is there.....)



disclaimer: all the above is BS, don't act on it

 

Wipe them with mineral oil, and go drive the car...........

 

If you put oil on them they will look really nice. Problem is that they will the attract dirt. Lots of air moves out from the engine here while you are driving. Dirt is in the air and will cling to them. Keep in mind that the world is made of dirt and rocks too, you can't get away from it. I clean my louvers every few weeks.

 

When they get dusty, wipe them with MORE mineral oil!!!

A very thin sheen, wipe off any excess.......

 

i painted mine with a product called satin black. they have held up fine, it's been three years now. i wipe them down with tire black for a nice shine.

 

Why not powder coat? Is that not an option?

These parts on my '84 are fine, but I always presumed that the day will come where I'd want them refinished. I just figured when that day arrives, I'd have them PC'd, as they would then hold up another 20 years or so.

Phil

 

PC is definitely an option. I did just that and like very much how they came out. But, as far as keeping it as close to an original ... I suppose anodizing is preferred. Still, I am very happy w. the part powder coated. (Satin black)

 

Does anyone know if the louvers/vents behind the rear wheels at the bottom of the rear quarter panel are anoadized are painted? Mine look pretty rough and I want to have them refinished by powdercoating or anodized if that was original.

Thanks.

 

Brett they were anodized as well.

 

Great, thanks. I will drill out the rivets and search for a shop to anodize them this spring.

 

Does that include the diaper on US cars, as well? Mine is flaking like it is painted. It only had 13k miles when I acquired it, so I am assuming it is an original finish.

George

 

The "diaper" was primed and painted. I had mine media blasted clean about 8 years ago, and primed and painted. Every year or two, I wash and degrease it thoroughly and then hit it with a coat of Eastwood high temp satin black. It has held up nicely. I am considering at some point taking it down to the metal again and having it powdered.

The louvers behind the rear wheels - I had them powdered about 6 years ago. They are holding up well and look brand new to this day. I figured the PC would withstand pebbles and dirt getting kicked up better than just paint, and considering they are barley visible the maintenance aspect won out over any concerns about loosing points at Pebble Beach.

Phil