Engine Paint - PJ1, VHT, or POR 15?

[pete]

Haha yes true Psyguy, missed your location there... ooops.

So around $300 NZ, should make it $50 AUS right? Just kiddin...

What you say sounds right going by what he has on the website too.

And Steptoe, that sounds like what I need.

The whole point of this for me was I wanted it to look good but not have to spend all weekend polishing and cleaning as that takes away from riding time (of which I will have very little when it's back together).

So the plan was to paint and just polish the bits that were easy to get to and wouldn't take long, but this blasting could solve all those problems for me...

I will have to call the man next week...

[Einstein]

I sent an email to a company called RS Motorbike Paint Ltd... they are probably the largest bike paint manufacturer in Europe, and best of all, they have a depot 10 minutes away from me..

Here is the reply I got..

Hi John,

Thanks for your enquiry.

We have a satin silver grey engine colour listed on a 1981 GT 250.....do you think this could be the same as on yours? If so, we can supply this colour, no problem at all. You can either call us quoting order number 19770 or of course you can order online at www.rsbikepaint.com

If not, if you are able to supply us with a small sample of the paint (eg flake from the damaged area), we can match from that ...it just takes a couple of days.


Kind regards

Heidi
RS Bike Paint Ltd





I have asked a few more questions regarding the paint, and will keep you guys updated.. I may even try to get a colour match done if I can find any paint left on anything !


John

[Agemax]

good research mate. surprising what you can find if you simply ask!

[hampshirehog]

We have a satin silver grey engine colour listed on a 1981 GT 250.....do you think this could be the same as on yours?

The 81 GT250 will be an X7. The paint on those motors was more grey than silver - way different to the silver on a GS. All the other GT250s weren't painted, just lacquer over the alloy.

[Einstein]

Yeah, I gathered it was an X7...

My reply to them..

Hi Heidi,

Many thanks for the reply..

This paint you mention, is it suitable for air cooled engines, (barrels, cylinder head etc)
or is it only for the engine side covers..

I have looked at an '81 GT250 X7 and it looks a little dark, then again, some look right, so it could be the photos..

So long as the paint will look right, and stand up to the heat, that's all I want..

I will try and bring something to match to as well..

John


I like the fact that they can match the colour... and so long as it can stand up to the heat, it could be a good source for engine paint.

John

[JasonEllis]

I used dupli-colors ceramic paint on mine. Check out the pics on my profile. I've bult alot of hotrod cars and I've had great results on all my engines. I build import motors mostly. The inportant thing is to make sure its clean before you paint. Use a GOOD paint stripper. Then what I do is clean it with JBI dull buster it pulls all contaminates out of the metal. Paint sticks better when its REAL clean.

[Einstein]

Well, it turns out the local depot is closed, and it's now mail order only..

no big deal, but after a few more emails, I get one from a different guy who says the paint is only suitable for the crank and gearbox casings.. and the only high temp paint they do is black or silver.... probably the matt finish ceramic stuff that isn't what I want.

Back to the drawing board


John

[pete]

So... I haven't called the guy about the blasting. I decided I already own the Black Velvet high heat paint, so I should use it.

End result is I actually got the first coat on both crank case halves, sump cover, valve cover, and breather cover.

I haven't done anything more with the cylinders beyond letting them soak in marine clean for a while and the head is completely untouched at the moment until I can make up a valve removal tool, so both of these aren't ready to paint.

I looked at the head and cylinders very closely today and decided that there's no way I'm going to get a wire brush in between all the fins and I'm certainly not going to be able to get a paint brush in there, so I think I will have to call the blasting guy anyway for those two bits, but that might actually look good.

Anyway, I suspect my prep for the painting is still not quite 100%, so after the second coat is on I may still find some peeling when I bake, but I'll just have to wait and see.

Here's the results:

[pete]

So I called the man this avo... he reckons $130 - $140 to blast the cylinders and head, and that's his estimated max price.

He said he hasn't done my model before, but that price is based on other air cooled parallel twins and is on the assumption that I clean all the grease and grime off first including any gasket remnants.

That's right in a price range I should be able to afford, so once I get the head dismantled I plan on taking it for a long drive.

Oh, and he also knew what I was talking about when I said I had soaked the cylinders in marine clean too and said that should prepare them nicely as far as getting all that grime off.

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Hi Pete, are you going to have any before and after pics as a reference? And for us as well, cheers.

[chef1366]

[pete]

Hi Pete, are you going to have any before and after pics as a reference? And for us as well, cheers.

Most definitely! My photographic skills leave a lot to be desired, but I certainly intend to take some to try to give a good impression of the result.

I'll probably do this on the weekend when I put the second coat of paint on the crankcase halves etc.

And Chef, that PJ1 certainly made a difference!

Quick edit... forgot to mention I need my pic fix on the forums too

[82gs1100]

I used about 1.5 cans of PJ1 on my skunk. I sprayed all case covers, starter cover, levers, brake & gear pedals, fork legs, rear shocks & some miscellaneous hardware.

I would think 2 cans will see you right. PJ1 is about $15 a can at Z1 Enterprises.

Dan

haha i gess i wont need 6 cans for a 1100 motor

[pete]

Ok, second coat done this morning, still drying in the photos which is why it isn't looking that crash hot.

Mind you, there are some places that just don't look right that I will touch up in the morning so I can BBQ it on Monday avo.







Also, as promised, here are some before shots of my cylinders and head. My guess is at least a month until I get it blasted as it's not exactly top of my priority list at the moment, getting gaskets and starting the bottom end rebuild is first, plus getting the frame etc. prep'd and painted.

The cylinders have been soaked in marine clean and washed down, the head still has valves etc. in so hasn't been cleaned at all yet except I scraped some carbon off from underneath.

[Nessism]

I painted my latest engine using VHT silver engine paint. It looks good but the paint instantly turns soft when any kind of solvent hits it. Tried to bake the paint hoping a good hard cure will help make it more durable but no difference. POR-15 engine paint is unaffected by solvents, even harsh stuff like carb and brake cleaner spray but it turns yellow under heat. There has got to be some paint that will hold up to both heat and chemicals. Eastwood sells a catalyzed engine paint which they say will work but I'm hesitant due to all the work involved with a repaint if they are wrong. Anyone have any other ideas?