24 replies to this topic

[ClubbyAsh]

Right, well as you can see from the picture i've attached the engine bay of Milligan is one of his worst features although it's not too bad considering it's not been messed with. Anyway, i'm not much of a mechanic as i'm only 16 but over the years of "helping" (standing around watching most of the time) my dad in the garage i've got to know a few things to set me off on my way to discovering all sorts of weird and wonderful things to do with my mini and maintaining it.

Anyway, to get myself started on the engine i thought i'd take on the simple task of using the grinding wheel to clean up my rocker cover of any surface rust and also the existing black paint. Once i had it cleaned up i had the idea i could potentially polish my rocker cover and leave it as polished metal, possibly lacquering it for a bit of protection from the elements. Either that or i will probably end up spraying it boring old black again. I'm all for keeping my mini original but would like to have something different that stands out, i know the polished idea is nothing special but i think it would add a little something to my car. I've only sat it on in the picture i've added and it's terrible quality so excuse that.

I just want to know other peoples views! Also, i thought it would look really cool sticker bombed, although i'm aware the rocker cover will get reasonably hot so i'm guessing it would melt the stickers?

Many thanks, Ash!

[Mini_Alex]

Alloy rocker covers from various companies are priced at around £20. However if I was you I wouldn't be worried about the rocker cover at the moment, i would concentrate on cleaning up the engine block with a engine degreaser and maybe painting it after. There are quite a few topics on here covering cleaning up your engine bay which will give you plenty of ideas.

(Or you could spray the rocker cover metallic silver and see how that looks)

Alex

Edited by alexcumbers, 20 November 2012 - 12:38 PM.

[steven]

if you are going to polish it i would say lacquer it after to give it a bit of protection, not sure if stickers would melt rocker covers don't get that hot well there not supposed to anyway

Edited by steven, 20 November 2012 - 12:45 PM.

[samsfern]

I painted one with flip paint once, looked ace.

[ClubbyAsh]

Cheers for the input guys, going to clean the block up sometime but it just depends on when my dad has time to help me lift the engine!

[minilee94]

No need to take the engine out to clean it up and paint it etc i never did and mine looked good thats what it was like before i added the alloy rocker cover

Attached Files

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[ClubbyAsh]

No need to take the engine out to clean it up and paint it etc i never did and mine looked good thats what it was like before i added the alloy rocker cover

That looks sweet! i'l just try that then and i'm gonna save for some samco blue pipes if i can! :)

[fusionfanatic]

I love a tidy engine bay, there is so much you can do without spending loads! I recon the silver contrasts really well with the rest of the engine bay blacks etc. Give it some clear coat will look great!

Personally I think the blue hoses look a little saxo but that's just a matter of taste!

[ClubbyAsh]

Yeh think i'l try stick with the polished rocker cover, and kind of agree with the blue hoses in some senses not sure it will suit my car although some people make them look good, the hoses in mine are relatively new anyway the old owner fitted them a couple of years ago so may just leave them :)

[jmmini]

I've always wanted to see a clear one so I could see the rockers working, it would just have to be made so oil couldn't stick to it.

[steven]

nothing better than a tidy bay

love the idea of a clear rocker cover !

[minilee94]

Yeah its not like that now been paint satin black with orange artel hoses and st orange brake servo pipes and steady bar with blue dsn classics accessories :) just do it to your taste

[fusionfanatic]

A mechanic friend of mine has the opinion that as the blue silicone hoses don't expand like the rubber ones when expansion does occur to a massive extent then something else has to fail. I personally think they are there for a reason on high performance cars for performance reasons but on a pretty much standard road car they are there for show. That being the case I'd leave the standard ones and make everything shiny and pretty that way!

A clear rocker cover, that's quite the idea, how cool would it look with some LED illumination back there! Got to be done!!!

[ClubbyAsh]

I'm liking the sound of that! Clear rocker cover with blue LED's.. would look awesome!

[ClubbyAsh]

This may have to be a chosen product for my A2 Product design next year!