Painting the fiberglass firewall in the engine bay?

**howardc64** · 02-28-2012, 10:03 PM

01 V70 T5, got the car like 7-8 years ago now. The black top coating on the fiberglass firewall in the back of the engine bay came off when I bought it. Probably due to the an uncareful engine bay cleaning effort by the previous owner (dealer)

googled and couldn't find anything. Do I just buy some high temperature flat black spray paint like the following to repair it? This product has a BBQ grill on the picture, I figure that ought to stand up to any heat on the fiber glass matting.

http://www.rustoleum.com/CBGProduct.asp?pid=112

Here is a pic of the engine bay. Thought I repair this before I sell the car. Been having a difficult time choosing to sell the T5 or the XC. They look so nice under shop lights in the garage and at work parking lot. Can't beat that Euro styling

The truth is the more I fix every little thing.. the less I'm likely to sell it

Still procrastinating... going on 3 months now while I drive both Volvos

**Volvoholic** · 02-29-2012, 12:02 AM

I'd keep the T5...nah, keep the XC...nah, the T5...ahhh too hard of a decision lol keep the one with more power! Case closed.

Anyway, the paint looks like it'll work. I don't really see why it wouldn't if you can paint a BBQ with it.

**Astro14** · 02-29-2012, 07:55 AM

Howard - I know JRL has re-sprayed that same spot, likely for the same reason...though I forget the exact product (clearly heat-resistant...)...I would PM him...

As far as which car to keep? Oh...that's a tough one! I love the T5 for every day driving and long trips, the power, handling, fun...but the XC has a wider range of capability...and for that reason, if forced to choose, I would keep just the XC (but I might re-program the ECM for a bit more boost...).

Cheers,
Astro

**Xilikon** · 02-29-2012, 09:44 AM

On the other hand, if you don't want to deal with future AWD issues, pick the T5. I like both as well but for my purpose, I'd pick the XC and chip the hell out of it to get at least T5 performance with the AWD versatility.

**howardc64** · 02-29-2012, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by Astro14

Howard - I know JRL has re-sprayed that same spot, likely for the same reason...though I forget the exact product (clearly heat-resistant...)...I would PM him...

Yes, read that recently as well. I'll PM JRL to see what product he used.

As for keeping XC or the T5, my procrastination so far is causing me to keep both

And it doesn't cost very much to keep both. Car seems to be worth $5-$6k+ retail where I live (pricier than east coast for some reason). Given every worn item is repaired+replaced, the car should run really for the foreseeable future. Just not worth selling it. Insurance isn't very much if I eliminate comprehensive (doesn't seem worth it for this retail value + my 10 mile easy suburb commute to work). Older son is 13.5 yo so 2 more year before I can hand him a really safe first car

Just wish I had a 3 car garage so I can garage all 3 cars.

And yes, T5 drives much better when not dealing with snow+ice on the ground. Its lower to the ground and hugs the road better and definitely love that higher boost turbo

But the XC is so utilitarian

Anyway, I'll keep on fixing it so I won't sell it

But I'm running out of things to fix and worn items to replace!! haha

**haoz129** · 02-29-2012, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by howardc64

Yes, read that recently as well. I'll PM JRL to see what product he used.
...
And yes, T5 drives much better when not dealing with snow+ice on the ground. Its lower to the ground and hugs the road better and definitely love that higher boost turbo

But the XC is so utilitarian

Anyway, I'll keep on fixing it so I won't sell it

But I'm running out of things to fix and worn items to replace!! haha

Howard,

I had a quite good laugh when reading this.
This is exactly situation I am having: not too much stuff to work on,

.
So I ended up buying another car, issues loaded.

And thinking about kids, yes, you must feel much less worry putting them into a Volvo than anything else.

Enjoy them both.

Howard Z

**JRL** · 02-29-2012, 01:51 PM

It came off because critters love to eat the stuff!
I used a flat black pebble finish undercoating (good for sound deadening)

**Cyrus** · 02-29-2012, 07:39 PM

Keep um both! One would make a great first car for your son! I'm in the same boat 2 Volvos and a 13yr old boy. I keepin both of mine.

**n00bkiller944** · 03-01-2012, 11:32 AM

Howard I think you really need to keep both of them! I remember when we talked a few months ago you weren't sure if you wanted to keep one. Sounds like now you just have to keep both!