How do I paint under the hood?

[Platinum Ace]

Hey everyone.

So I bought some Red paint ( heating paint ) and masking tape and I was just wondering how do I paint the engine cover and the fuse box cover you know the usual stuff everyone paints.
Me and my mate think we should sand it down and then paint it like you should with anything but we just want to see what you guys did and the do's and don'ts of painting your engine covers.

Thanks in advance,
Angelo

[Glenn]

Depends if you want a smooth glossy look or same texture as stock just red. When I did mine on my old vrx I just made sure I gave it a good cleaning then sprayed it with no sanding. A few coats and it was good to go.

[Platinum Ace]

Yer that was the other way we where going to do it we just weren't sure if anyone has done it like that and we didn't know if it turns out ok but we might just do it the way you said glenn

[malkinfalcon]

Without sanding turns out very very well !

[aspir3]

Just clean it with prepsol and use a plastic primer before the colour paint and finish with a clear.

Take the parts off the car before painting and paint in a dust free environment.

[Graham]

I painted my old engine covers, do it right the first time and prep it properly (clean it, get rid of dust etc)

Mine lasted a few months and then the paint started to deteriorate, I just repainted over it another colour though

[LZY_EYE]

If you want a smooth finish, use an etch primer after plastic primer.

[Platinum Ace]

Thanks for all the tips. Ill give this a go sometime this week