Bonnet respray

[poleonpom]

I have a '96 in very dark green (not Sherwood) and the bonnet needs a respray. The rest of the car is fine, I think that the heat that gets trapped in the engine bay is to blame - has anyone else have this issue?
Also thinking I may have louveres cut into the bonnet to vent heat when at low speed

[Hoges]

I haven't had the paint problem (Java black in tropical Bris MY99 model...) but I share your concern re. heat sink effects when the engine is cooling down. A Calibra V6 I once had (for 5 glorious yrs :dbcry:) had the electric radiator fans wired to continue running for a few mins after engine shut down and dissipate the excess heat... have been wondering about employing something similar with the P38...

[benji]

i've had some of the same thoughts recently too. I'm wondering about taking off the rubber seal around the edge of the bonnet, wether that would allow the heat to rise up out of the engine bay whilst stopped and in traffic.

Just seems the underbonnet temperatures of the p38 are so much higher than the classics!

[jsp]

I believe the seal is there to stop heat and smells getting in the AirCon intakes. Mines had ten years in the work car park in the Adelaide sun and the clearcoat on the bonnet has gone in a few patches but the roof is shockingly bad i have home resprayed it.

[DaveKelly]

I have besides the RR a 97 Disco - roof went like all disco's. Went to SuperCheap and got a gravity gun and a few other bits and resprayed it - looks like new now. Bonnet would be real easy - just pop it on some saw horses. Wonder why would I spend money on slotting etc the bonnet? It's lasted +-15 years - a respray will go at least another 10 or more I'd suggest. If you do respray there's a heap of good video's on youtube. I found this guy really good for the base and clear coats- simple and clear. Edit the www. and paste the link.
www .youtube.com/watch?v=S7jFNUGUhIs&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
If you do slot - pictures would be great. All the best whatever you decide. Cheers

[poleonpom]

I've been itching to try out my spray gun, so I'm looking forward to having a go.
Part of the reason for the louvres is to vent the engine bay. I think it just gets a bit too hot in there and that can't be good for the electrical components in the long term

[glenhendry]

I am watching this thread very carefully poleonpom. I have the exact same issue, and I am very interested in spraying my roof and bonnet. I am trying to work out if I have the skills or the courage. Rave talks about all kinds of interesting paint protection layers that I dont understand.

I think the vents are an excellent idea too. Please keep up informed. Pity we arent in the same city.

[Grumbles]

I always thought it was the paint or probably the final clear coat failing to cope with our Aussie sun. There's no engine heat on a roof and these are failing simultaneousdly with the bonnets. Two flat surfaces facing the sun and hello damage.

[jsp]

I always thought it was the paint or probably the final clear coat failing to cope with our Aussie sun. There's no engine heat on a roof and these are failing simultaneousdly with the bonnets. Two flat surfaces facing the sun and hello damage.

yep - uv light on the clear coat, then give the underlying paint long enough and it turns to a white chalky powder.

[Hoges]

that's why I apply the polymer sealant every few months...esp the roof. Another handy hint is to glue a layer of alfoil over the top of the sunroof shade to reduce the deterioration from heat trapped under the glass.

There is some stuff called Nycote which I am trying to get hold of... was used on the lunar lander in Apollo 11 to protect the exotic metals. Can now get it in spray cans for DIY use (I think). Certainly it is widely available in the USA in Dept stores for all sorts of protective uses. It self levels, can be sprayed, brushed or put on with a rag...etc

[DT-P38]

You sure that stuff will work?!?

After all, P38's have more computers than Apollo 11.

[Hoges]

very droll indeed:D:D:D
yep, seen it used on aircraft (C-172), oxidised garage door etc ...all come up looking like new and stayed that way for 5 yrs. At that time, although they still looked quite OK, they were washed with soapy water , rinsed, dried and a new coating put on as a preventive measure...just like that:eek:

[zuk]

After reading post and checking temp under bonnet I beleve heat could be a problem for lots of things belts,battery,motor,anything rubber but mainly after stopping no air flow so $39 later a chep tubo timer switchers thermo fans on for 2min after turning off key.

[glenhendry]

This sounds excellent to me. I would love to see some before and after temp readings.

I assume that you just used the existing air con thermos? And ran them off the same turbo timer? If you have any notes on your wiring I would really appreciate it.

[33chinacars]

Some old fashioned bonnet vents would also help to get some of the hot air out from the engine bay. In my younger days we would miss aline ( ie lift) the rear of the bonnet . Hot air out / cold air in / go faster.

Gary

[zuk]

I thought about lifting the back of the bonnet but wasent happy with it and yes just using the standard thermos will try and up load pic when I get a chance.
Ps i remember Landcrusers having lots of probs with bat,and belt because of heat under bonnet.

[Grumbles]

very droll indeed:D:D:D
yep, seen it used on aircraft (C-172), oxidised garage door etc ...all come up looking like new and stayed that way for 5 yrs. At that time, although they still looked quite OK, they were washed with soapy water , rinsed, dried and a new coating put on as a preventive measure...just like that:eek:

Could that be put on already oxidised panels or is it too late by then?

[Hoges]

Could that be put on already oxidised panels or is it too late by then?

the oxidised panels were simply washed with soapy water and a brush to remove grit/wax etc and dried off thoroughly, then coated with Nycote. The effect is like what happens when an oxidised boot lid/bonnet is washed then a bucket of water is poured over it...you don't see the oxidised paint until it's really dry...

[Grumbles]

Thanks for that Hoges - it sounds great.

Now to find out who sells it here and probably the biggie - how much??

I assume this is what you are referring to -
NYCOTE® 7-11: Meets the specification requirements of MIL-S-4383. 7-11 is a one-component system in clear liquid form. Color tinting available upon request. Tinting can be used to identify parts that have been coated and to improve appearances. NSN: 8010-01-134-0415

The net isn't that helpfull - drying time?

[Hoges]

Drying time...touch dry in 30 mins recoat after a couple of hours. Fully hardened in 30 days.

contact: (02) 9624 8455 . The importers/distributors are a stainless steel manufacturing business at 15 Welder Rd Seven Hills NSW
They use Nycote extensively for protecting stainless steel in difficult conditions...

Anti-Corrosive Metal Coating - Liquid Nylon Metal Protective Coating - NYCOTE® Laboratories Corp. (http://www.nycote.com/)


cheers

[Grumbles]

That is terrific info Hoges. I'll be following that through.

Thanks a lot.

[Grumbles]

Just an update Hoges.

Nycote - is no more.

New company and new product is Nyalic - tel 0420 982329
28 Helena St.
Lillyfield 2040

I haven't spoken to them yet.

[poleonpom]

I am watching this thread very carefully poleonpom. I have the exact same issue, and I am very interested in spraying my roof and bonnet. I am trying to work out if I have the skills or the courage. Rave talks about all kinds of interesting paint protection layers that I dont understand.

I think the vents are an excellent idea too. Please keep up informed. Pity we arent in the same city.

Thanks, I'm going to give the respray a go as I figure if I stuff it up I can always get it resprayed:D There's some good self-help car spraying videos on the 'net and they make it look quite straightforward.

I'm quite keen to have a go at putting the vents in the bonnet myself, a few internet searched have shown that there are vents you can buy and then 'let in' to the bonnet.

Unfortunately this project is off the boil for a bit as my car has decided it needs urgent attention and much money spent in other areas of its vehicular anatomy.

Shame we're not in the same part of the world as I'm sure a few beers would set this right (and produce some interesting overspray!)

[TheTree]

Hi,

Bumping an old post here and wondering what the results were?

My clear coat is beginning to craze here and there :(

Steve