I just bought an AEM V2 CAI, kinda boring grey. Before I install it, I was thinking of painting it to match the car. I have plenty of three stage Spa yellow exterior paint, and I'm wondering if I could use that for the CAI. It doesn't get that hot, does it? What about the clear coat?

All opinions appreciated.

Thanks

 

Painting it won't have any affect on performance or heat soak. If it suites your needs, I say go for it.

Also if you have a non-AEM cai (one of those cheap e-bay ones), I'd recommend sanding it, spraying 2 coats of primer, followed by 2 coats of the color of your desire, followed by a layer of clear coat. This will significantly reduce the heat soak characteristics with cheaper intakes.

 

I do not think a few coats of primer and color and clear have significant insulating capability. Even vinyl siding, which is many times thicker than any painted surface, has an insulating value of maybe 1 or so.

Paint it anything you like, but do not worry or expect any performance effects.

 

I'm not hoping for any performance enhancement; I'd just like it to match the car and wanted to make sure using exterior 3 stage paint wouldn't be a problem on a part inside the engine bay.

Thanks to both of you for the help.