Engine Painting Preparation

[cowboyup3371]

As I asked in my project thread, I think I'm close to a point I can start painting the engine bits. But, I'm not totally positive as I have never painted an engine before.

Here's what my pieces look like:









What more should i try to do to prep for painting? Should i just go ahead and throw some primer on then the color of choice in engine enamel?

[Agemax]

they look pretty clean, were they vapour blasted?

[cowboyup3371]

No, I wish Age. Lots of time in the parts tank last weekend at the base and then with a wire brush (hand and drill) and simple green here at home.

Thank you.

[Agemax]

depends on what paint you are planning on using whether you need primer or not. if they have been in clean tank and used simple green i would say a dam good scrub and rinse with warm soapy water to start. then start masking up very carefully!

P.S. looks cool how you balanced the head between your legs and resting on your shoes haha

[cowboyup3371]

For those with experience using the Por-15 stuff, should I spend the money on the entire kit to prep and paint or just go with the paint itself?

Can it be brushed on or is it better sprayed?

[tkent02]

Haven't used the engine paint, but POR 15 is very good stuff. If you do all the steps it will turn out great. The other POR 15 paints I have used will work fine brushed on, it leaves no brush strokes visible at all.

What color are you going to use?

[cowboyup3371]

I'm still debating if I'll take the engine back to an all aluminum or go to an all black.

Either way, the Por-15 stuff is out of the question for now. There's a statement on their site that they can't ship any orders out to the current conditions in New Jersey.

[Good Times]

That looks really good. Paint it up. VHT Universal Aluminum is talked about a lot as a good paint. I used Duplicolor primer and engine enamel and it turned out just fine. I liked it.

[cowboyup3371]

Should I clear the parts as well?

[Big Rich]

I have never cleared over an engine paint....so can't help with that.

But I read before that aluminum engine parts should be boiled in water for a certain amount of time - the boiling water brings any oils that are "soaked" into the aluminum out. I've done it to carbs with good success, but personally have never done it to engine parts.

[tkent02]

I'd go with black.

[cowboyup3371]

I'm hoping I can paint tomorrow if I can get rid of the rest of the grime from the cases. For those who have done this, would you recommend baking the head and cylinders at least in an oven? Would the cases be okay waiting until I run the engine next spring?

[Steve]

..., would you recommend baking the head and cylinders at least in an oven?

If you do the cylinders in an oven, make sure you put them in UPSIDE DOWN.

If you put them in right-side up and the temperature gets warm enough, the aluminum block will release its grip on the steel liners, making things just a bit difficult to put back together.

.

[Big Rich]

If you do put them in an oven, make sure it's one that doesn't prepare food. Chemicals from the paint are released during the curing process, and will be released again on Thanksgiving day........

I hang parts from the ceiling of the garage with a deer gambrel, with a small electric heater underneath to cure the paint. Probably not as effective as an oven, but better in my circumstance.

[cowboyup3371]

I won't be able to paint today as I just didn't finish the cleaning last night like I hoped. But I'm still trying to determine the best way to paint it so that I can get it to look right.

Will it be okay to leave the engine on the side for my dolly like this or is there a better way, short of using an engine stand as I don't have one right now?