EFI-1
Viper Owner
Along with a couple of nice blisters!
After looking at pics of the MGW caps for the last couple of weeks, I decided I preferred the profile and appearance of the stock unit better. So at about 9PM last night, I finally got the urge to pull my stock aluminum gas cap and refinish it. When I bought the car, it was one of the 2 items I really wanted to address. It was oxidizing under the factory clear and the roller was rusting.
After pulling it off the car last night, I noticed that the former owner had painted the base silver at some point in time. The paint was a little too thick and it was flaking. I brought the piece into my workshop and hit it with some 220 grit wet. After getting most of the clear and silver off the cap, I used my dremel to get into the cracks and crevices. I also made it a point to machine the surfaces a little more true as the factory casting is kinda crappy. Gave the edges a little more definition and smoothed out the hinges and latch. Upon sanding, I noticed a rough spot in the center of the cap that I think is attributed to the fastening point on the cap underside for the bolt. Oh well....
6 hours later, I had the piece 220'd, 320'd, 400'd, then 600'd before hitting it with a red rouge and finally a white rouge to get as much shine out of the polished portion as possible. I finished the base with a worn piece of 320 grit to give it a little contrast (and polishing all those little cracks and crevices would **** big time).
Reinstalling the cap was not too bad at all. Removed the rubber gasket, and installed it in the gas cap. I used a little silicone on the filler neck and with the use of an old metal hanger, I held the filler neck in place while pressing/slightly twisting the cap back on. Note: Use your finger tips to apply pressure to the recessed area surrounding the gasket to get the cap on quick and easy.
Before refinishing: Note heavy oxidation
Mid Point: 400 grit
3/4 Complete: Base finished, polishing & clear coating
Complete: Clearcoated base only!
Installed:
After looking at pics of the MGW caps for the last couple of weeks, I decided I preferred the profile and appearance of the stock unit better. So at about 9PM last night, I finally got the urge to pull my stock aluminum gas cap and refinish it. When I bought the car, it was one of the 2 items I really wanted to address. It was oxidizing under the factory clear and the roller was rusting.
After pulling it off the car last night, I noticed that the former owner had painted the base silver at some point in time. The paint was a little too thick and it was flaking. I brought the piece into my workshop and hit it with some 220 grit wet. After getting most of the clear and silver off the cap, I used my dremel to get into the cracks and crevices. I also made it a point to machine the surfaces a little more true as the factory casting is kinda crappy. Gave the edges a little more definition and smoothed out the hinges and latch. Upon sanding, I noticed a rough spot in the center of the cap that I think is attributed to the fastening point on the cap underside for the bolt. Oh well....
6 hours later, I had the piece 220'd, 320'd, 400'd, then 600'd before hitting it with a red rouge and finally a white rouge to get as much shine out of the polished portion as possible. I finished the base with a worn piece of 320 grit to give it a little contrast (and polishing all those little cracks and crevices would **** big time).
Reinstalling the cap was not too bad at all. Removed the rubber gasket, and installed it in the gas cap. I used a little silicone on the filler neck and with the use of an old metal hanger, I held the filler neck in place while pressing/slightly twisting the cap back on. Note: Use your finger tips to apply pressure to the recessed area surrounding the gasket to get the cap on quick and easy.
Before refinishing: Note heavy oxidation
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Mid Point: 400 grit
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3/4 Complete: Base finished, polishing & clear coating
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Complete: Clearcoated base only!
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Installed:
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