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Thu Jul 31, 2003 2:30 pm

Would it be better to paint the fan housing or not? I just had it cleaned up and it looks nice now. I guess it is made of magnessium. Are there any considerations either way? Thanks.

Thu Jul 31, 2003 2:56 pm

I've seen them painted and powdercoated. Also polished!

I think it just depends on what you like. I prefer the stock appearance but if a shroud could not be cleaned up to my satisfaction, I would get it powdercoated grey.

Thu Jul 31, 2003 4:32 pm

Yes - I too have powdercoated the fan houseing on both of my type 3's
I have had one that was polished, and then clear coated..well after about a year the clear cracked and dirt got in the craks...looked like crap big time.
I wouldnt run a polised one.

Fri Aug 01, 2003 7:33 pm

Thanks for the input. I do want to keep the appearance nice, so I will probably end up painting them. I am not very familiar with the powdercoating option. Thanks again.

Sat Aug 02, 2003 11:04 pm

Another option is to have it bead blasted. It is ussually cheap to get done and a lot of local machine shops can do it. I had a fanshroud and fan done for a type 4 engine and couln't believe the results. It actually changes the apearance of the metal in a way that is hard to describe. I told the machine shop I didn't want the parts painted when I saw them and they said they hadn't its just the effect of the bead blasting. I thought they would just get really clean. a benefit is, If you don't like the look it's a good base for a paintjob. The only concern about painting I've heard is that the fanshroud absorbs and dissapates some heat from the block. I don't know how much but if you feel the fanshroud when the engine is hot it does get pretty hot too. I would think a thin coat of flat black paint would be best if you do paint it and you take this into consideration.