Painting letters on plenum and cam covers and cleaning metal lines advice wanted

[Corvette95]

After I get my top end powder coated, how do most people paint the lettering in the plenum and cam covers. I know I can't do it with a brush myself, nerve damage doesn't allow me steady hands. Is there a stencil, do most free hand it? I see there was a cut out for this at Stillwater where they spray painted the lettering. Also want advice to clean the alternator and compressor's rough aluminum. I want to bring it to original condition, not above. Also I see a bunch of great looking a/c lines/coolant lines, and air lines and brackets on the Registry. I would like my 90 to look better. I DON'T want full polish or chrome look, but I would like it more "shiney" . I can do a lot with still wool, and have already begun, but there are a bunch of crevasses and non accessible places I can't get to . My a/c lines are still attached. I know this knowledge is here, I can see it in your signatures!!! BTW I have some never dull wadding that just came in I was going to try tomorrow.
Thanks!

[LGAFF]

I used a micro screwdriver and would just drip some in and let it fill... the blade to guide the paint...

[32valvesftw]

What type of paint did you use?

[Z51JEFF]

I’m surprised nobody has made a stencil for this yet,if I ever do repaint the plenum on mine I will have a adhesive stencil made for this. As far as briny a I the finish on the ALT and compressor take the ALT apart and have the cases blasted with walnut shells and scrub the compress with a soft bristle BRASS brush,nothing more harsher than brass and Simple Green. You can also try WHITE SCUFF PAD on the tubing to get the surface back to an OEM finish.

[Paul Workman]

EASY!

Of course the letter wells have to be clean, oil free, etc.., etc.

I found using a camel hair artists brush, and by hand was able to paint the bottom as well as the sided of the letter wells.

OF COURSE there was a little paint that got up over the edge of the letters, BUT! Before it dries, a little dampening of acetone (aka fingernail polish remover) on a rag stretched over the tip of my finger...worked perfectly! I was able to cut the edges to perfection - quick n easy.

Good luck!

Paul.

[Corvette95]

Thanks Paul, I am having the top end powder coated, I don't know if acetone of thinner would hurt the finish. I can't free hand (would not even think of trying) but maybe my wife can or I could find someone for that. I figured free hand would be the case, I just don't have a steady enough hand for it .Wish I had that Stillwater mold.

[32valvZ]

I simply use Hi Temp Engine paint. Spray a little in the cap of the can, grab a small brush and paint the letters/numbers. I find it helps to actually get a good amount on the brush and kind of pool the paint up a little in the recesses. Whatever paint happens to go "outside the lines", just lightly wet a rag with mineral spirits and wrap the rag tightly around your finger. Just wipe right over each letter/number and it comes out perfect. The whole operation takes maybe 15 minutes...

[mpiecyk]

Paasche Airbrush Co. makes the Flow Pencil that will work very well for your request its model # FP-1/32.
I have used this flow pencil on many auto emblems back in the 80s, the most intricate emblem was the cross flags on the C-2 & C-3 corvettes and they passed the Bloominton Gold & NCRS judging.
And for the paint I found the Sign Painter's 1-Shot works the best.

[Corvette95]

Originally Posted by mpiecyk

Paasche Airbrush Co. makes the Flow Pencil that will work very well for your request its model # FP-1/32.
I have used this flow pencil on many auto emblems back in the 80s, the most intricate emblem was the cross flags on the C-2 & C-3 corvettes and they passed the Bloominton Gold & NCRS judging.
And for the paint I found the Sign Painter's 1-Shot works the best.

Thanks!

[32valvesftw]

Thanks for the info guys.