Thread: Engine Paint

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I've got my engine (302) back from the machine shop and ready for paint. I would like some opinions on brands and how you prep for the paint.

Thanks!

when i get a eng from the shop, i wash it, after washing and drying I paint the lifter valleys with gyptol, better oil drain back, then wd 40 the internals. wash the block with lacquer thinner then prime , and paint with krylon, your choice of color.this is only on a bare eng.

krylon holds up pretty well for a few years, provided you put it on real thick.

Epoxy appliance paint holds up better, but comes in fewer colors.

A two-part automotive paint is the better choice. I painted a block with an airbrush once, never again! took too long. A detail gun would probably be the cat's meow.

Depends on what you want to end up with, and how long you want it to last. Spray cans are ok, but won't give you a "show car" engine, or hold up as long as painting it just like you would the body............using epoxy primer and your favorite enamel or catalyzed enamel. This way you can match or contrast your body color, and the overall gloss is much better than a spray can.

Touchup, detail gun is perfect. Hardly any waste, easy to fit into tight areas, and easy cleanup. I'd post a picture of mine, but I'm sure everybody is bored seeing them.


Don

Second thought, I see you are a relatively new member and maybe you haven't seen it, so here is mine, painted as described above. The first picture is the epoxy primer sprayed on, the second is the final color, and the third is my Sons Olds engine, painted the same way.

Don

Thanks!! Those are some nice looking engines. I want a nice show engine even though it is under the hood of a 55 effie. My frame is silver metallic and I'm planning on viper blue for the body. I want it to look nice, but more important... stay on.

I've hears some people use por-15 engine paint. Anyone use it?

If you decide to paint it to match your body or whatever, it is really not that big of a process. You just use tons of wax and grease remover on several different rags, to get all the oil and dirt off, then you can grind whatever smoothness you desire into the block with an air angle grinder. Some guys just knock off the casting flash, and some make the engine look like a bar of soap. Then you dewax some more, shoot several light-medium coats of epoxy primer on, and then topcoat it with a few more coats of your favorite color.

I did the engine in my '27 17 years ago, and the engine was still presentable when I tore it down for it's rebuild 7 years ago. The paint held up really well.

Don

Originally Posted by JoeSacamano

Thanks!! Those are some nice looking engines. I want a nice show engine even though it is under the hood of a 55 effie. My frame is silver metallic and I'm planning on viper blue for the body. I want it to look nice, but more important... stay on.

I've hears some people use por-15 engine paint. Anyone use it?

never used the POR-15. Had a buddy that did. You could tell what color his engine was by looking at his hands for about a month afterwards Rubber gloves are a MUST when working with it.

Personally i do the scrub & scrub the block method, final rinse with prep solvent, and spray bomb Krylon. Not really high zoot, but it suits my needs.