DIY: Black Dip Stick

LC2ner · 04-22-2008, 09:34 PM

So I ordered my JDM Red K20A Valve Cover a couple days ago, and decided that I wanted the Black Dip stick too. Ends up that the K20A JDM Black Dip stick will not work correctly without modification. Also, the JDM variant is 20 bucks by the time you get done shipping.

So I started playing around. First off I tried using a black sharpie marker. It was good, but not perfect. Then I got the inclination to use some spray paint. Worked out pretty well, actually. I'll post a picture of it when I get and install the JDM Valve Cover.

So, here's what you need:
-Flat Black Spray Paint (I used ColorPlace from walmart, $.96)
-Masking Tape or Painters Tape
-Plenty of News Paper

-Take out your Dip Stick and wipe it free of oil.
-Cleanse the top of the dip stick with water and dry it thouroughly.
-Lay down the newspaper and wrap the metal part of the dipstick with newspaper. Use masking tape towards the top of the stick right up to the base of the knob.
-Spray 2-3 light coats of black waiting about 30 minutes in between each coat. Spray to your likings but be sure to use LIGHT EVEN coats.
-Allow to sit for 2-3 hours before you put back in engine.
-Enjoy!

I'm sure I'm not the first to do it, but I'm just happy that I could do it without messing anything up!

zhieson · 04-22-2008, 09:44 PM

Thanks for the DIY.

Although, I don't quite understand why someone would convert their dip stick.

LC2ner · 04-22-2008, 09:45 PM

It's just an aesthetics thing. The JDM one is black, and I like the Black on Red better then Orange on Red.

JDM FO LIFE!!!??11

MemphisRheins · 04-22-2008, 09:59 PM

lol, I did that a while ago, didnt bother with the tape or the DIY write up though lol.. nice way to save a few $'s though lol

audioserf · 04-24-2008, 08:37 AM

I did this too, definitely beats importing a dipstick that won't even work in your engine because it's too small, lol.

j3dimindtr1cks · 05-04-2008, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audioserf

I did this too, definitely beats importing a dipstick that won't even work in your engine because it's too small, lol.

+1

Dktran31 · 05-05-2009, 04:14 PM

this is a great idea, will do this later

audioserf · 05-05-2009, 05:04 PM

Haha, I was going to post saying I already did this but I posted that a year ago already...

Great $5 mod to clean up your engine bay a little. I hate orange (yet I love halloween, go figure)

626tsx · 05-07-2009, 02:57 AM

i did this also! but gold =)

Shogun · 05-07-2009, 08:43 AM

Great DIY. I'm definitely going to do this whenever it gets a pinch warmer here and stops raining.

laotsx · 05-17-2009, 06:38 PM

black looks so much better...i dont understand why honda made that shit orange. shits whack

Schmitzm1 · 05-17-2009, 07:30 PM

Ok, I understand the problem with the dipstick...

But did you really just post a DIY on how to RATTLECAN something?

Not trying to hate, but most 12 year olds could pull off a spray.

Bosch · 05-17-2009, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmitzm1

Ok, I understand the problem with the dipstick...

But did you really just post a DIY on how to RATTLECAN something?

Not trying to hate, but most 12 year olds could pull off a spray.

You might be surprised at how many people would just take it out and paint it without cleaning, sanding, and masking lol.

Schmitzm1 · 05-17-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bosch

You might be surprised at how many people would just take it out and paint it without cleaning, sanding, and masking lol.

Who are these people? And why can't we kill them off anymore for not having common sense?

Schmitzm1 · 05-17-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LC2ner

So I ordered my JDM Red K20A Valve Cover a couple days ago, and decided that I wanted the Black Dip stick too. Ends up that the K20A JDM Black Dip stick will not work correctly without modification. Also, the JDM variant is 20 bucks by the time you get done shipping.

So I started playing around. First off I tried using a black sharpie marker. It was good, but not perfect. Then I got the inclination to use some spray paint. Worked out pretty well, actually. I'll post a picture of it when I get and install the JDM Valve Cover.

So, here's what you need:
-Flat Black Spray Paint (I used ColorPlace from walmart, $.96)
-Masking Tape or Painters Tape
-Plenty of News Paper

-Take out your Dip Stick and wipe it free of oil.
-Cleanse the top of the dip stick with water and dry it thouroughly.
-Lay down the newspaper and wrap the metal part of the dipstick with newspaper. Use masking tape towards the top of the stick right up to the base of the knob.
-Spray 2-3 light coats of black waiting about 30 minutes in between each coat. Spray to your likings but be sure to use LIGHT EVEN coats.
-Allow to sit for 2-3 hours before you put back in engine.
-Enjoy!

I'm sure I'm not the first to do it, but I'm just happy that I could do it without messing anything up!

Not gonna prime the surface at all? lightly sand it? maybe do a thin primer? Sorry but WATER is not gonna remove oil from a dipstick. And the heat inside the bay could make your paint peel if you dont condition the surface of ANYTHING youre painting. Water = fail.

Sorry but for something as EASY as rattlecanning a dipstick... to not properly give directions on THAT...dude...