Engine air duct restoration

[Gezzer]

Hi there,

Looking to start (eventually) my engine restoration, i wonder if anyone has any tips or links for the the restoration of the fibreglass air duct?

It's a red 3.0 item, 600 quid to replace...

I guess gelcoat and cracks are reasonably straight forward to repair but what about the colour?

Any tips or links gratefully received!

Steve

[Phill]

I tried to bring the colour back on mine with various cutting compounds and polish but it did not work at all. I think heat and oil and fumes eventually get embedded so deep it's impossible to bring back to life.I think spraying with probably be among your limited options. I'm sure someone will have a solution.

[Gezzer]

7 hours ago, Phill said:

I tried to bring the colour back on mine with various cutting compounds and polish but it did not work at all. I think heat and oil and fumes eventually get embedded so deep it's impossible to bring back to life.I think spraying with probably be among your limited options. I'm sure someone will have a solution.

Thanks Phil !

[Busybee]

I’ve had great success bringing plastic trim back to “as new” using ceramic coatings. As long as it’s cleaned thoroughly (isopropanol with distilled water mixed and worked into the plastic with a brush, removed with a microfibre and allowed to air dry), ceramic coatings impart a real depth of colour that seems to last a while. Worth a go 

[Gezzer]

Excellent tip, many thanks!

[Gezzer]

I've just given mine to a friend that is a composite specialist.

I wonder can any shed any light on these points.

 

Why are these two holes larger and slotted?

 

Also, when i stripped my engine, a lot of the ducting and tin-wear was held down with allen bolts.....not the standard bolts listed in the parts catalogue. Anyone seen this before?

 

 

[Chris_911]

Could give this a try - I've had good results with some items.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/OWatrol-Polytrol-0-5-l/dp/B003BZXN9Q/ref=asc_df_B003BZXN9Q/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309954591991&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=9207914790538086440&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046427&hvtargid=pla-701266666057&psc=1

[Gezzer]

Thanks Chris, I've also had this suggested...

https://www.cerakote.com/shop/cerakote-coating/H-318/habanero-red

Oil resistant and temp resistant.....but very aggressive on the wallet 🙂

[Type911]

I just sanded mine down and the sprayed 3 or 4 coats of VHT clear lacquer, came up like new. The holes and slots are for adjustment

[Gezzer]

48 minutes ago, Type911 said:

I just sanded mine down and the sprayed 3 or 4 coats of VHT clear lacquer, came up like new. The holes and slots are for adjustment

Thanks Matt

[Chris T]

19 hours ago, Gezzer said:

Also, when i stripped my engine, a lot of the ducting and tin-wear was held down with allen bolts.....not the standard bolts listed in the parts catalogue. Anyone seen this before?

Yes, whenever I've had tinware or any other light duty fastenings off I've replaced with stainless allen bolts. Looks way neater IMHO of course. Readily available from Ebay etc. but my local fastenings shop does better quality for a few pennies more. 

[Gezzer]

15 minutes ago, Chris T said:

Yes, whenever I've had tinware or any other light duty fastenings off I've replaced with stainless allen bolts. Looks way neater IMHO of course. Readily available from Ebay etc. but my local fastenings shop does better quality for a few pennies more. 

I think I'll put it back with allens like I found it, but i live in France and it's a nightmare to get good quality hardware here, Wurth only sell to commercial businesses.....luckily I have colleagues travelling weekly from Hamburg and German Ebay is fantastic for good quality zinc plated gear!!

You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to buy spring washers without selling your first born male child!!!

Just now, Gezzer said:

I think I'll put it back with allens like I found it, but i live in France and it's a nightmare to get good quality hardware here, Wurth only sell to commercial businesses.....luckily I have colleagues travelling weekly from Hamburg and German Ebay is fantastic for good quality zinc plated gear!!

You wouldn't believe how difficult it is to buy spring washers without selling your first born male child!!!

I'm spending a fortune I know.......but it'll be a cold day in hell before I pay 90cents for a spring washer!!!!

[proporsche]

On 01/11/2023 at 16:49, Gezzer said:

I've just given mine to a friend that is a composite specialist.

I wonder can any shed any light on these points.

 

Why are these two holes larger and slotted?

 

Also, when i stripped my engine, a lot of the ducting and tin-wear was held down with allen bolts.....not the standard bolts listed in the parts catalogue. Anyone seen this before?

 

 

What you are missing or not using any longer are 2x spacers which went under the a/c bracket...

here

 

[Gezzer]

1 hour ago, proporsche said:

What you are missing or not using any longer are 2x spacers which went under the a/c bracket...

here

 

Genius !!!  now where can i get some?? 🙂

Why do i think i'm going to have to make them!!!

[proporsche]

i think i have more of them just have to look tomorrow for them.

let you know

 

Ivan