papinist
The Italian Pony
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2014
- Threads
- 47
- Messages
- 3,188
- Reaction score
- 781
- Location
- Tuscany, Italy
- First Name
- Stefano
- Vehicle(s)
- Mustang EcoBoost MT Race Red EURO - NO MORE
- Thread starter
- #1
Hey guys,
almost every Mustang owners hate that big white football-shape tank that Ford placed right in front of you when opening the hood.
Many replaced it with an aftermarket model, but actually this is a part that is doing its job perfectly so I can't see why pay 150-200 bucks for replacing it.
I've seen also some plastic cover, but at some crazy price (like 80 usd!), and still it's not a perfect solution since the bottom part remains uncovered.
Someone has the right idea to simply use plasti-dip to black it out and frankly I think it's a great idea! Searching the forum I've found many that already did it but a tutorial is missing, so during my mod I took some pictures for helping others
I have used plasti-dip but actually you can also do this mod with regular paint: when seeing the result, there is no reason why you want to revert back to stock in future. So if you haven't plasti-dip or it's too expensive (I already have an half can but shops does not have it here, and online you need about 20 eur + shipping), use high temp spray paint and you're done.
REMEMBER TO DO THIS WHEN YOUR CAR IS SITTING DOWN FOR A WHILE, OR YOU'LL BE HIT BY HOT COOLANT AND IT WON'T BE FUN :frusty:
This is the initial situation:
Start by removing the cap and loosen the two clamps that are holding the two side hoses. This is better accomplished by using nose pliers. Squeeze a bit the two hoses before removing to allow any extra coolant to flow in the tank. To remove the hoses easily, twist them forward and back before trying to pull them apart.
Set apart the two pipes keeping the one in the back higher than the coolant tank or coolant will spill from it. I also used a channel lock plier to keep the hose shut.
Remove the two 10mm front bolts and place some masking tape on the upper thread and on the two side plugs. At this point you can raise the tank a bit with the help of something (I used two plants poles)
Place some used towels or kitchen paper under the tank bottom to avoid spraying something else. Cut open a trash bag and make a center hole where you will place the tank to cover most of the engine components.
Detail of the masking job
Now the key feature: since you still want to know if the coolant is at the right level, place a strip of tape in the back of the tank. You can place wherever you want on the back: it will be hidden to direct view but you can still check the level easily. I found a 1cm wide electrical tape that is perfect for this goal.
Now it's all ready to start
Start with the first coat, you don't need to cover it up perfectly since it's only the first coat. Wait about 15 minutes between coats and if you have enough spray, the best result should be obtained with 5 plasti-dip coats (maybe 3 is enough with paint). I did only three coats because my plasti-dip can was at about half and it finished after the third coat :headbonk:
Don't forget to spray the bottom part.
First (or second?) coat
Third coat
Wait until plasti-dip\paint is dry. Now we need to remove the tape we used on the back, to reveal the window you will use to check the coolant level.
Before pulling it out, follow the tape's edge with a knife to avoid peeling back plasti-dip with the tape (ask me how I know)
You have almost finished: remove the masking tape (pay attention here too to not peel off plasti-dip)
Remove the trash bag, place the tank at its place, put back the two bolts, reconnect the tubes, tighten the clamps and put back the cap.
End result:
Looking at the back you can easily check the coolant level (not so easily in this picture, with tangent sunlight!)
Direct comparison before\after
waaaaayyy better and with a negligible expense!
:cheers:
almost every Mustang owners hate that big white football-shape tank that Ford placed right in front of you when opening the hood.
Many replaced it with an aftermarket model, but actually this is a part that is doing its job perfectly so I can't see why pay 150-200 bucks for replacing it.
I've seen also some plastic cover, but at some crazy price (like 80 usd!), and still it's not a perfect solution since the bottom part remains uncovered.
Someone has the right idea to simply use plasti-dip to black it out and frankly I think it's a great idea! Searching the forum I've found many that already did it but a tutorial is missing, so during my mod I took some pictures for helping others
I have used plasti-dip but actually you can also do this mod with regular paint: when seeing the result, there is no reason why you want to revert back to stock in future. So if you haven't plasti-dip or it's too expensive (I already have an half can but shops does not have it here, and online you need about 20 eur + shipping), use high temp spray paint and you're done.
REMEMBER TO DO THIS WHEN YOUR CAR IS SITTING DOWN FOR A WHILE, OR YOU'LL BE HIT BY HOT COOLANT AND IT WON'T BE FUN :frusty:
This is the initial situation:
Start by removing the cap and loosen the two clamps that are holding the two side hoses. This is better accomplished by using nose pliers. Squeeze a bit the two hoses before removing to allow any extra coolant to flow in the tank. To remove the hoses easily, twist them forward and back before trying to pull them apart.
Set apart the two pipes keeping the one in the back higher than the coolant tank or coolant will spill from it. I also used a channel lock plier to keep the hose shut.
Remove the two 10mm front bolts and place some masking tape on the upper thread and on the two side plugs. At this point you can raise the tank a bit with the help of something (I used two plants poles)
Place some used towels or kitchen paper under the tank bottom to avoid spraying something else. Cut open a trash bag and make a center hole where you will place the tank to cover most of the engine components.
Detail of the masking job
Now the key feature: since you still want to know if the coolant is at the right level, place a strip of tape in the back of the tank. You can place wherever you want on the back: it will be hidden to direct view but you can still check the level easily. I found a 1cm wide electrical tape that is perfect for this goal.
Now it's all ready to start
Start with the first coat, you don't need to cover it up perfectly since it's only the first coat. Wait about 15 minutes between coats and if you have enough spray, the best result should be obtained with 5 plasti-dip coats (maybe 3 is enough with paint). I did only three coats because my plasti-dip can was at about half and it finished after the third coat :headbonk:
Don't forget to spray the bottom part.
First (or second?) coat
Third coat
Wait until plasti-dip\paint is dry. Now we need to remove the tape we used on the back, to reveal the window you will use to check the coolant level.
Before pulling it out, follow the tape's edge with a knife to avoid peeling back plasti-dip with the tape (ask me how I know)
You have almost finished: remove the masking tape (pay attention here too to not peel off plasti-dip)
Remove the trash bag, place the tank at its place, put back the two bolts, reconnect the tubes, tighten the clamps and put back the cap.
End result:
Looking at the back you can easily check the coolant level (not so easily in this picture, with tangent sunlight!)
Direct comparison before\after
waaaaayyy better and with a negligible expense!
:cheers:
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