New Build Questions - Heater and Aluminum panel coating

[whinz]

Hi everyone. I just got my new build started. Finally unboxed everything. I identified a few dozen missing parts and over 40 on back order. But I am optimistic. :-) Although I have been doing research for years, I thought I would ask a few questions, before making any key decisions.

1) Are there any small, compact and easy to install heaters anyone would recommend? FYI. I do plan on buying the ff metal firewall forward kit to help with space.

2) I just read a build thread where someone sprayed truck bedliner on their aluminum panels. I was impressed. It looked excellent. Anyone have experience or thoughts on this?

Thanks in advance Walter

[Ted G]

Hi Walter and good luck with your build. I will be right behind you (about 4 months out) with my build. I've heard the FFR heater is a good choice and works well. I already purchased my FF metal wall as well. I plan on coating some of my visible with either a black powder coat or a clear powder coat after polish (firewall). The others I am leaving as is, but the underside might be a good idea to spray with bedliner for protection and sound deadening.

Ted

[egchewy79]

FFR uses the Vintage air heater, which fits well with the normal firewall. The FF forward firewall is used if you'd like both a shallow glovebox and a heater since they both take up the same real estate. Just make sure your valve cover for your engine of choice doesn't interfere with the heater if it's bumped forward. I've also seen others fabricate their own bump out box for the heater, leaving the rest of the stock firewall in place.

I used spray on bedliner for all the panels exposed to my wheel wells (F panel outside, elephant ear splash panels, back side of the rear cockpit walls). I used rustoleum hammered silver for my engine bay panels and left everything else bare as it was going to be covered by carpet/sound deadener. It's up to you what look you want. Some polish the aluminum and coat it with Shark Hide which preserves the aluminum look.

[CaptB]

You may want to consider powder coat for your panels, I did this and it was only $300 for the entire set of panels however, depending on where you live that could be much higher. If you're going with a heater, I believe there is a more thicker firewall you may want to consider from FF metal.com.
Good luck.

[edwardb]

Like a lot of things on these builds just depends on what you want. In this case there's no "best way." Unless you're by the ocean in a salty environment, or plan to drive the car on winter salted roads (), you could mount the bare aluminum and not have any issues. It will slightly oxidize and maybe even stain from fluids or whatever. But it will remain solid for the life of the car. Some guys like that raw look. I'm personally a powder coat advocate. I like the look, how it stays clean over time, and coat basically all the pieces including the underside because for me that's visible too. Only exceptions are pieces that are completely buried on both sides. There are only a few. But not everyone feels the same way. I have a couple local powder coat guys I use. It's not the cheapest. But compared to the overall cost of the build, not a big percentage. Finishing yourself is a lot of work, whether painting, polishing, Sharkhide, whatever. But many are done that way. Just realize that powder coat is probably the most durable over time. It resists solvents, fluids, heat, even scratching better than most other finishes.

As far as bedliner, I apply multiple coats on the tire-facing side of the splash panels. (Plus the underside of the fiberglass body, but that's a different discussion.) But personally I don't use it on the balance of the panels. IMO too hard to keep clean and for me that's important. My cars are drivers. But I show them a lot too, so that's what I prefer. I wouldn't spray the whole underside. But again that's just me. It's not needed for protection, and if you properly insulate the inside, don't gain anything there either IMO. But if you do decide to put bedliner on panels, highly recommend to apply after they are installed. Or mask off the areas they would overlap if you spray them before installation. The added thickness of the coating will affect how they fit.

Can't help you with the heater on the Roadster firewall. I've installed heaters in builds, but not in the Roadster. The thicker firewall is nice. But don't be completely put off by the .040 firewall. It seems a little flimsy when first attached. But it does get bulb seal on the top and is firmly planted on the underside of the body. Plus it has some support from the DS footbox. So it's stronger than you might think once the build is completed.