DIY Network

Mitsubishi Evo: Custom Powder-Coating A 2003 Mitsubishi Evolution 8 gets totally Tricked with a custom powder-coat treatment and faux JDM headlights. From "Tricked Out" episode DTRK-402

The project car: a 2003 Mitsubishi Evolution 8.

In this Tricked Out project, a Mitsubishi Evolution gets some sharp custom accents without breaking the bank. Starting under the hood, host Andrew Totolos pulls out key engine parts, strips them, preps them and gives them a powder coat finish. The plain metallic wheel rims also get the powder-coat treatment and go from basic grey to brilliant yellow. In the second part of the project, the Evo's standard headlights get the $1000+ "black-housing JDM" look for a cash outlay of just a few bucks.

DIY Difficulty Rating for This Project: We gave this a difficulty rating of 2 on a 5-point intermediate-level scale. The powder-coating equipment is a bit specialized, but it's easy to master and not terribly expensive.

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	Andrew removes engine parts to prep them for powder coating. Parts removed include the cold-air intake, valve cover and exhaust manifold heat shield.

Materials and tools for all modifications in this project:

In addition to standard auto-mechanic's tools (wrenches, ratchets, extenders, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, torque wrench, etc.), the essential tools required for this project are listed below.

powder-coating kit
standard kitchen oven
propane oven with temperature gauge
heat gun
cookie sheet
rack for suspending parts
high-temperature masking tape
paint stripper
acetone
scrapers and brushes
lubricant
towels
rubbing alcohol
spray paint
silicone sealant
safety equipment: mask, respirator and eye protection

A used kitchen oven (available from used appliance dealers) is ideal for powder-coating.

Not Your Mom's Oven!

• One of the things you'll need for this project is an oven. This can be a used standard kitchen-style oven, typically available for $200 or less from a used appliance store. The oven will be used to bake the powder onto the metal parts once they have been coated with the powder-coat particles. Larger sized ovens are best suited for this since they can accommodate larger sized parts.

• Important: This should be an oven dedicated specifically for this type of project. Do not use an oven in which food will later be prepared.

The Mad Genius says: Always wear your protective gloves when working with nasty chemicals like paint stripper or acetone.

Important: Included in this summary are the steps in this automotive procedure as shown in the episode. These steps are general guidelines that are applicable to most vehicles. With any particular car or truck, there may be procedures, specifications, settings, tolerances, components, etc. that are specific to that vehicle. There are also variations according to the type and brand of upgrade-kit or replacement part that you select. Always consult your vehicle's service manual when undertaking significant automotive repairs, and read and follow the manufacturer's directions and precautions that come with your kit or replacement parts.

Safety Alert: As a standard safety precaution, always disconnect the vehicle's negative battery cable before you begin work on any electrical or mechanical components.

Safety Alert: Always wear eye protection and follow proper safety precautions when working with power tools or pneumatic tools. Also wear eye protection any time you are working underneath a vehicle or working with caustic or dangerous chemicals.

Important: Always dispose of automotive fluids (gasoline, antifreeze, motor oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, paints, strippers, etc.) and other toxic substances responsibly. Most auto center offer recycling of automotive fluids.

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