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Air Intake Cover Removal

August 11, 2015, 10:14:23 am

My air intake paint is starting to flake and peel.  I'd like to take it off and repaint it as part of my new camera and air deflector project.  From the outside, it looks like it is rivieted on.  I know how to get to the inside by pulling the cover off inside the bedroom overhead cabinet.  I did that a couple of years ago and don't remember how the intake cover is held on.  Can anyone enlighten me before I dig into this?

Thanks,

Rich

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Re: Air Intake Cover Removal

Reply #1 – August 11, 2015, 10:39:58 am

Rich, If I recall correctly that piece that holds the camera and is also the air intake is held on by four  itty  bitty nuts accessible from inside the cabinets.  A real bear to get to.

Gary B

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Re: Air Intake Cover Removal

Reply #2 – August 11, 2015, 11:18:43 am

Rich,
If the cover on your 2002 is like the 99's, the grill has studs welded on to it with nuts on the back side. As Gary says, hard to get to. The camera on ours was was in an enclosure that was also part of the grill. I used an angle grinder with a cut off wheel to remove the camera. I have seen most just mount the new camera right over the old one, so I guess you could skip that step...
Don

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Re: Air Intake Cover Removal

Reply #3 – August 11, 2015, 12:04:31 pm

Thanks.  I'll try to take a look in the next few days.

Rich

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Reply #4 – August 11, 2015, 05:08:18 pm

If you would like to know how to get your new paint to stay in place..  just ask.  pc

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Re: Air Intake Cover Removal

Reply #5 – August 12, 2015, 07:59:31 am

OK-How?  I will add that I have a friend helping me who paints airplanes.

Rich

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Re: Air Intake Cover Removal

Reply #6 – August 12, 2015, 02:28:47 pm

Locate a media blaster with medium/small aluminum oxide in the hopper.  After you have stripped the old paint, @ 50 psi and a distance of 12/15" completely blast a pattern with no holidays. 
Rinse the piece in warm water and using air, pressure dry and hang the piece in the sun to heat it up. 
From here on your friend can take over. 
If you have any distillates (oil) left on the piece, a vapor degreaser or get something that will remove the oil before you paint.
Try to put no more than a light primer and 2/3  passes of finish with at least an hour between coats. 
Let it dry in a well ventilated area for a few days.  I've used frame paint with results that look like a good powder coat job..  pc

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Re: Air Intake Cover Removal

Reply #7 – August 13, 2015, 08:48:38 am

Thanks for the tips.  I think my friend has everything we need to strip and paint including the media blaster.

Rich

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