Nice warm bath for dirty AMG bits.





Tastey AMG roast.

This is what happened in my house today when my wife stepped out to go to her evening yoga class. I decided to paint my AMG plenums and they were dirty as hell. I was too lazy to buy proper cleaning materials so I used strong grease remover in the bathtub and then dried them out in the oven before painting. Best DIY ever and my wife still has not found out yet. Hope dinner doesn't taste like motor oil.

 

Good idea though. I like it

 

Needs more after-paint photos.

 

Paint drying as we speak - will check and photograph in the morning.

 

Here is how the plenums came out. I used a Q-tip to apply Vaseline jelly to the AMG logo before painting and I also taped up the air passages at the back. I applied 3 layers of Signal red engine enamel spray paint to them (high temp resistant), allowing 1 hour drying time between coats. I then left them to dry overnight and then removed the paint from the AMG logo using a wood kebab skewer so as not to scratch anything. The paint came off the logo perfectly and without much effort. The plenums are currently getting a bit of sun time and I will repost a photo when I fit them to my car later today.

 

Nice work! Gotta do mine soon.

 

evening yogurt class??? that's so werid

 

Those turned out great! Nicely done

 

Too cool.

All done and I am well chuffed with the results. I gave the air filter boxes and other plastic bits a bath too. Took my time to re-install everything to avoid scratches and chips.
Nearly forgot to add: the whole job cost R 110.00 ($ 11.00) for the 2 x rattle cans, I had everything else.

 

I like projects that turn out just right. Did you consider black? I can't decide red or black. Yours certainly looks awesome. My wife does yoga classes too do I have the same open window of opportunity.

 

I have seen them done in black and it's a matter of personal taste, but not for me.
I also considered doing the surrounding air filter & engine cover plastics in black and ended up going the 'less is more' route. I want to do all 4 brake calipers next weekend so I will have subtle hints of red all over my car.

 

Nice job on the runners. Post pics of the calipers once they're done!

 

Looks awesome! Any special instructions on how to remove them from the car? Been debating about doing this just not sure if there are any steps to take before taking them off the car

 

Nice job bud, came out looking tit man. Props to you

 

1. Undo the air filter housing screws using a T25 head and remove the top sections of the air filter housings and leave them attached to the rubber Y-pipe at the back.
2. Lift and pull the black plastic clip, which attaches the Y-pipe to the back of the supercharger. There is also a rubber breathing house attached underneath the Y-pipe which you simply pull free. You should now be able to pull the air filter housing tops and Y-pipe free as one piece.
3. Lift the air filter housing bottoms off the supercharger plenums. They each have a couple of spring clips underneath and rubber grommets, but should simply pop loose if you jerk them straight up.
4. Remove the plenum screws using a T30 head and note where they went as there are 3 different lengths. Using a 7mm socket or short flat screwdriver, loosen the clamps attaching the bottom of the plenums to the other rubber Y-pipe. It is only necessary to loosen 1 on each side. You should be able to wiggle the plenums out now. Leave the metal gaskets in place on the cylinder heads and cover the intake passages with a towel so no dirt gets into the engine.
5. Remove all grease from the plenums and make sure they are dry (bath & oven time!).
6. Using masking tape, cover all the air passages underneath the plenums, including the flat machined areas that form a seal with the metal gaskets.
7. Using a q-tip and clear vaseline jelly, apply the vaseline onto the AMG logo's. This will stop the paint adhering too them.
8. Apply 2-3 layers of heat resistant spray paint to the plenums allowing sufficient drying times in between coats. Once done, leave to dry overnight.
9. Using either a plastic implement or a small dowel stick, gently scrape the paint off the AMG logo and wipe the residue off.
10. Re-install in reverse order.
11. If any touch ups are necessary (sometimes tightening the plenum bolts causes paint to break off around the bolt hole) simply spray some left over paint into the spray can plastic cap, and using a q-tip as a paint brush, you can finish the job off perfectly.

 

Looks great Jim..

ZAYED,,

 

All masked up.





View from the back.





Nice clean edges.





All done, just needs AMG caliper stickers.

What a PITA! Took most of the day because they are a ton of prep work. Degreasing, scuffing, sanding, final cleaning, masking, etc. I only managed to do the front ones today and will have to do the rears next weekend, but they are much smaller and generally have less brake dust crud to deal with. I also managed to chip a caliper because I put the wheel on like a moron so I had to start again. Thankfully it's over, but they came out great. Pity I couldn't photograph them in the sunlight to look their best.

 

Looks great. Which paint did you use?
You can get new brake pad retaining spring clips and brake pins for when you do the rear. Not sure if they show with your wheels. Might not matter.

 

I used a local rattle can product called Sprayon. It is an automotive range and I chose a heat resistant engine enamel good for 200 degrees celcius in a colour called signal red. I applied 5 coats to each caliper. When I get the AMG caliper stickers I will do a final clear coat over the lot. I will probably just clean my existing spring clips and pins when I do the clear coat because I am a peasant of note at the moment, but thanks for the heads up.

 

Maybe clear paint the hardware after you polish it up. Should help with oxidation etc.