This might be on another topic but I didn't look that hard, ya I'm lazy
The rear deck lid vents on my fiero are getting, well, old and they need a new coat of paint.
can I use of the shelf spray paint or do I new to use a higher heat, or specialty paint?

I would recommend a semi gloss black engine enamel from Duplicolor. It comes in a spraypaint form and is ceramic and resists heat up to 500 degrees. You can also get a high gloss from them but the semi gloss looks stock.

quote Originally posted by IMSA GT: I would recommend a semi gloss black engine enamel from Duplicolor. It comes in a spraypaint form and is ceramic and resists heat up to 500 degrees. You can also get a high gloss from them but the semi gloss looks stock.

X2 Just get the engine enamel kind that holds up to heat. The vents don't get as hot as the engine, but the regular spray paint might bubble on you.

Jim

I always just use Krylon BBQ black. Just the right amount of gloss and takes engine heat just fine (made for painting BBQ grills). Easy to cover with 1 or 2 coats and no runs.

A) Have them powder coated. It'll never come off.

B) Get some "new" NOS ones from the Fiero Store.

not everyone can get stuff powered coated.
but i like the BBQ paint idea. im thinking thats what im going to do.
not quite flat black. and not gloss. just the right amount.
im in the process of painting mine actually. im in the sanding part. and man. its a royal pain in the rear to remove all the paint!!
sorry to hijack but is there a easyer way to remove the paint?
would paint remover work? or will it damage the alumium vents?

Paint stripper is fine with them off the car. Just make sure you clean and rinse them thoughly, then wash them some more. After stripping, I usuall go over the whole piece (or metal car body) with a scotchbrite pad soaked in laquer thinner. Then you need no further sanding at all and everything is gone. Krylon is also nice because its self etching...dont need primered, but dont hurt.

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With the Fiero Store selling a brand new pair of GT vents for $50 it didn't pay for me to refinish the old ones. The OEM vents had a very unique finish to them. It was like a low luster gloss that I have not been able to duplicate.

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quote Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua: With the Fiero Store selling a brand new pair of GT vents for $50 it didn't pay for me to refinish the old ones. The OEM vents had a very unique finish to them. It was like a low luster gloss that I have not been able to duplicate.

How did you get these for $50.00 a pair, the price is $39.95 each?
jim

[This message has been edited by sparx22 (edited 02-01-2009).]

Dennis, if you wanted them exact, its easy enough to add flattening agent to make them as glossy or dull as you want. You do have to use a spray gun though. Even cheaper way is just add some baby powder to the paint. Thats all flattening agent is with a reducer added. Thats how we used to make flat color panels years ago before they even started selling the agent. Only takes like a teaspoonfull or two in a pint to make it completely flat black. I cant say how to make them look same as OEM, I dont think I ever saw an original set to compare them to.

Well since we have a vent post... One set I have cracked. They feel awfully lightweight but I know they are a ferrous metal of some sort since they have light surface rust on some of the areas where the paint is worn. I haven't attempted to weld them to reinforce the crack, but is it doable, or is the metal to lightweight?

So, was the factory finish on these grills flat or gloss or maybe semi-gloss?
sparx22

[This message has been edited by sparx22 (edited 02-15-2009).]

I just repainted mine - 2nd time. The first time I used a Rustoleum semi gloss black - worked fine and looked good for 2 years. This time, I used Rustoleum - Charcoal Metal Flake - cause in the sunlight it has the same tint as the bronze wheels. I sanded with 400 grit paper, primed with Rustoleum Automotive - dark grey primer - 2 coats sanded between 1st coat with 800 and final with 1000. Then 2 coats of the color and 2 coats of clear.

[This message has been edited by katatak (edited 02-15-2009).]