I'm getting ready to swap in a new drivetrain into an 85 Formula 242 I just got. I found a little bit of chipped paint down there. All the wood looks good. I was planning on repainting the engine compartment while doing the swap.
Questions are: What to use for paint? Pre clean of course, but what other prep do I need? Are there any other trick I should know about? Thanks Steve

Also should I spray it in or brush and roll it in? How many coats. Should I use a primer or some kind of base coat?

Anybody that knows about this?

Try something called bilge cote I think it has a few diffrent colors. Or go with a good cleaning and rustolium.

I used bilgekote on my cruiser. Degreased, scrub, scufff up with sandpaper, then wipe down with their prep solvent. I rolled/brushed on 3 coats. It's a tough as nails and stills looks like new, and it doesn't stain from spills, although has only been 4 months since painted. In between coats, you have to scuff it up. I used scotch brite pads, then wipe down with their cleaner.

I used a 2 part epoxy by Valspar. Good cleaning to remove grease and dirt, fiberglass prep wipe down and 2 coats of epoxy. I used a 4" roller and a small brush. Here is a picture after the painting and engines were re-installed. It was a time consuming effort to un-rig, paint, and re-rig everything. I had the engines out this winter for some work so I took the opportunity to play in the bilge.

Good luck.

I have used two part epoxy for garage floors brush on it's tuff as nails and cleans up easy

Algrip can't beat it. I have done several and tried other products before. Alot of manufactures use this as well I've been told.

Was a full day yesterday. Cleaning, Prep, A little repair work, and then 2 coats of 2 part Epoxy paint. Should hold up alright. Today I'll put the engine compartment back together, and then pull the motor and drive from the donor boat.