Motor Paint
 

Pulled my engine and rebuilt. Engine bay getting new 2-part white epoxy.

I want to paint the engine with a high quality blue or red metallic.
Any good recommendations to minimize corrosion and flaking?

In the past I've had excellent results with enamels, even without a clear coat. The new engine is getting a 3 step paint system which is very cool. I'm using house of color products, but have had excellent results with PPG stuff. The thing to look for is the quanity. Alot of times you'll end up buying too much paint because of the minimum quanity. PPG and House of color will sell a small quanity. If you do go metallic be sure to use a enamel clear.

Eurathanes will work very well for a motor.

Jon

Yes, my first engine was shot with a acrylic eurethane. Very durable stuff, even without a clear.

what is the proper procedure for painting an engine?

I have used PPG urethanes (concept) with very good success on several motors. The part (block, alt., PS pump, etc...) must be thoroughly degreased. I wipe the surface with laquer thinner and 3m wax and grease removers many times to start with until a thinner soaked white rag stays clean. You can prime it with a etching or zinc chromate conversion primer, but the block will never see any significant abrasion, so all it will really acomplish is filling surface porosity (looks smoother). If the part is rough cast iron, Priming will be the next step to fill. If the block has a factory paint (most do), I used a scotch brite pad, sometimes soaked in laquer thinner to dull and roughen the finish so the paint will stick. Then just carefully drape with a tack rag and paint.

I use Imron. The stuff is so tuff it doesn't come off when you hot tank the block. It's not great stuff to breath though.

Thanks,

After stripping all of the old paint, a lot of the primer is still very solid so I picked up 2-part primer and Rich Blue Metallic Imron. This is going to look very good.

Thanks for the help.

Kent......any of the choices are real good as mentioned, the Imron might be the most durable, but also the more expensive and toxic. Either way, make sure you wear a good face mask (at least a nice 3m).........you DO NOT want to inhale that stuff....Bob

PPG