Lq4 clean up

[Vandals909]

I JUST BOUGHT A 2006 lq4 WITH ALL ACCESSORIES. I HAVE THE ACCESSORIES OFF AND WANT TO CLEAN IT UP BY PAINTING THE ACCESSORIES AND BRACKETS. PLUS I WANT TO PAINT THE BLOCK BLACK.

PLAN TO DO THE ACCESORY BRACKETS ALUMINUM.

ANY TIPS? BEST BRAND PAINT TO USE? IS ETCHING PRIMER REQUIRED?

IS PAINTING THE ALTERNATOR CAGE A BAD IDEA? HOW DO YOU GET IT APART?


THANKS

[BR3W CITY]

Step 1, turn caps lock off.

That high heat engine enamel is the way to go. I prefer the super high heat stuff in general, because I feel it coats thicker and harder...but it doesn't have nearly as many colors or finishes as the slightly lower temp stuff.

Even the low temp stuff is like 500*. I used that for my block and bracket. My memory sucks right now but I think had better detail in my build. I did use a primer, but I think I was using an epoxy primer instead of a self etching.

Either way, prep is everything as usual. For the block, try to REALLY degrease that cast iron and make sure there is no residue. The cast itself will most likely still oxidize past the paint (long term, depending on use). There is always a nick or chip or bolt hole that can get water/chemical/oil under it, and irons natural defense mechanism is iron oxide.

I've got about 5 years on mine, and its seen rain, chemicals etc. Still looks fine in most areas, but if you look under the headers or close in common assembly/dissasembly locatations, you'll see rust.

[Vandals909]

Any idea on how to paint the cage of the alternator? I pulled the 4 bolts that appear to hold it together, it does not budge.

[ls1nova71]

Originally Posted by Vandals909

Any idea on how to paint the cage of the alternator? I pulled the 4 bolts that appear to hold it together, it does not budge.

They dont come apart easily. You have to unsolder part of them and then resolder to put back together. I wouldn't try it unless you really know what youre doing.

[Vandals909]

Is there a certain brand of high temp paint that works best? They have VHT by my house good uproar 550F

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by Vandals909

Any idea on how to paint the cage of the alternator? I pulled the 4 bolts that appear to hold it together, it does not budge.

Don't. Alternators fail from time to time, and I wouldn't waste effort on something that will at best become a core, and no one really rebuilds their alt internals anymore.

[Vandals909]

I have scrubbed it and it looks like crap. Any idea what might work best to clean it up? I tried an SOS pad and it didn't to much

[Willie Makeit]

don't paint the aluminum parts. go to Advance Auto, O'Reilly's, AutoZone, etc and buy a bottle of this (make sure it's the ETCHING type) and 2-3 stainless scrub brushes (the ones the size of toothbrushes), a red scotch-brite pad and a box of rubber gloves.

- Wet parts
- Spray on Mag Wheel cleaner
- Allow to soak for 1-2 minutes
- Scrub with brushes (2-3-4 times if needed)
- Rinse
- Reapply wheel cleaner
- Scrub with red scotchbrite pad
- Rinse
- Enjoy your new parts


-

[Vandals909]

Is it safe to get the alternator wet?

[Willie Makeit]

I've never had a problem. No need to flood it with rinse water, use just enough to remove the cleaner residue.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by Willie Makeit

don't paint the aluminum parts. go to Advance Auto, O'Reilly's, AutoZone, etc and buy a bottle of this (make sure it's the ETCHING type) and 2-3 stainless scrub brushes (the ones the size of toothbrushes), a red scotch-brite pad and a box of rubber gloves.

- Wet parts
- Spray on Mag Wheel cleaner
- Allow to soak for 1-2 minutes
- Scrub with brushes (2-3-4 times if needed)
- Rinse
- Reapply wheel cleaner
- Scrub with red scotchbrite pad
- Rinse
- Enjoy your new parts


-

Thanks!!

[Vandals909]

I will try that on my alternator and water pump. I was thinking about painting the large bracket that holds the alternator and power steering pump black. Do I need any type Of primer if it is completely clean? Do I need primer when doing the block black?

[Willie Makeit]

unfortunately paint isn't going to stick to any aluminum very well, that's why i clean it with the etching cleaner and leave it raw.

[MalibuSSwagon]

I used lacquer thinner in a paint gun cleaning bottle, along with scraper tool, wirebrushes, and compressed air gun to the clean the block and heads. heads looked almost new. Just squirt it down in small sections and scrub away, and use that air gun to blast away whats left, get in tight spots, etc.

Use engine paint on the block, pick your favorite color and use the engine primer first. Accesories and brackets really don't need high heat, your engine shouldn't get any hotter than 190! And most paints are rated for temps much higher than that. I painted the accessory brackets in Duplicolor wheel paint and they are holding up well.

[Vandals909]

Willie thanks I started cleaning the alternator and it looks great. Would this same process be to harsh for the heads? I don't want them to become discolored

Thanks

[Willie Makeit]

Not at all for the heads. I clean ALL my raw aluminum parts with this stuff (oil pan, accessory brackets, heads, etc). Makes them look "just cast" ... I swear by this stuff.

As far as the heads, after cleaning the "ends" where they are somewhat shiney from the fly-cutting operation will become dull, use some mother's or similar polish to return the shiney finish.

[Vandals909]

Is primer needed when painting the block? I'm going with gloss black same color as it was stock

[Willie Makeit]

I did not prime the block when I painted. Purple Power / Castrol Super Clean & a power washer then about 3 evenings spent with spray bottle of Purple Power and a toothbrush cleaning all the nooks and crannies. Scuffed the factory coating with red scotch brite pad and rattle-canned it with high temperature semi-gloss black. This isn't on a daily driver, but the paint is holding up fine over a year later.

[Vandals909]

I plan to pressure wash the engine and clean it very good. Do you guys feel a primer is needed? I plan to paint it the same color black that the block already is

[Vandals909]

Thanks again Willie everything came out pretty good, just needed some elbow grease! Dont mind the dirty oil pan, it will get replace so I didnt spend any time on it.

[65standard]

That came out really nice.

[Willie Makeit]

Originally Posted by Vandals909

Thanks again Willie everything came out pretty good, just needed some elbow grease! Dont mind the dirty oil pan, it will get replace so I didnt spend any time on it.

Glad to help. LOOKS AWESOME!