Eastwood Engine Paint Universal Aluminum

[rustybronco]

Has anyone tried this product yet? and if so how does it compare to VHT's universal aluminum engine paint or Suzuki's factory engine paint?

http://www.eastwood.com/ew-ceramic-engine-paint-qt-universal-aluminum.html

I do know about VHT universal aluminum.

Found this inquiry also, but nothing definitive on the matter that I can find.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showpost.php?p=1203493&postcount=105

Thanks in advance.

[Nessism]

Humm, catalyzed engine paint. I'm curious too. "Aluminum" color paints tend to be a little grayer than the original Suzuki silver color, but not sure about this particular color.

Edit: Starting to remember now...researched this stuff back when restoring the S, and some review say the paint darkened around the exhaust ports (Pontiac blue). This is exactly what happened with the Por-15 silver engine paint I used on my first S. Black is probably safe, but I suspect the silver will turn brownish.

[rustybronco]

Humm, catalyzed engine paint. I'm curious too. "Aluminum" color paints tend to be a little grayer than the original Suzuki silver color.

Starting to remember now...researched this stuff back when restoring the S, and some review say the paint darkened around the exhaust ports (Pontiac blue). This is exactly what happened with the Por-15 silver engine paint I used on my first S. Black is probably safe, but I suspect the silver will turn brownish.

Ed, in the picture Eastwood shows, it looks to be a darker shade of aluminum than the factory color. That was one of my concerns as well. But what I'm mostly concerned with is, having fuel or what not, destroy all the work put into refurbing the cases.

[Nessism]

Dale,
I share your concern about fuel spill durability.

Might be time for an experiment: paint some pieces with VHT engine paint, bake them, then drip gasoline on them in a controlled test. I've spilled gas on VHT painted parts before and they survived okay, but the gas only stayed on the part very briefly.

So you going to run the test or am I?

[rustybronco]

Just blasted off an e-mail to Eastwood inquiring about the colour difference between their 51631ZP universal aluminum engine paint, and VHT's SP127 universal engine paint.

[rustybronco]

Dale,
I share your concern about fuel spill durability.

Might be time for an experiment: paint some pieces with VHT engine paint, bake them, then drip gasoline on them in a controlled test. I've spilled gas on VHT painted parts before and they survived okay, but the gas only stayed on the part very briefly.

So you going to run the test or am I?

I'll run the test when warms up a bit and I can find out if Eastwood paint if it's a close enough match to SP127.

[rustybronco]

Another product to consider.

Eastwood's ceramic caliper paint available in silver.

http://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-s-urethane-caliper-paints.html

http://www.eastwood.com/images/pdf/ceramic_caliper_paints.pdf

A little on the pricey side, but if it matches our engine colour correctly, this might be the route to go.

I'll call them during my lunch hour and see what they have to say about the colour match between the hi-temp engine and caliper paints, and VHT's SP-127.

[rustybronco]

And another...

http://www.hirschauto.com/prodinfo.asp?number=EE-QUART

Looks like a p.i.a. to apply but the reviews look promising.

http://www.hirschauto.com/engine.pdf

http://forums.aaca.org/f169/engine-paints-324812.html

[Nessism]

Dale,
Many of those high temp paints are brittle. I believe some of those caliper paints for example. Some of them spray out funny too, Duplicolor for example. Difficult to lay down a smooth layer.

Most roads lead back to VHT. Just need to check chemical durability after baking...

[rustybronco]

Ed, I just got done sending an e-mail to Bill Hirsch

Hello,

I'd like to see if there is some possibility of getting a color swatch of this paint? What I am trying to do is to see if it will closely resemble the silver/aluminum paint used on the early Suzuki GS series engines. What we as a board (thegsresources), and myself in particular, are trying to find a paint that matches well and provides good resistance to fuel spills and other less aggressive chemicals. Or, if not the bright aluminum paint, is there some other hi-temp paint you make that I might see if it will match closely as well?

Thank you for your time

Dale XXXXX

From what I can tell, this is what they state...

Hi-Temp paint is easy to use and withstands virtually all weather conditions. This product dries fast and yields amazing results! Use on intake and exhaust manifolds, headers, or exhaust systems - anywhere that requires a hi-temp paint. Will not crack, chip, or peel. #BH-ALP. Made in USA.

Are the claims to to good to be true? I don't know at this point.

[rustybronco]

More

http://www.gtotigers.org/paint.php

A discouraging aspect of a freshly detailed engine is burnt, dis-colored or peeling paint. This is a common occurrence on many Pontiac engines at the heat cross-over on the intake manifold and the exhaust ports on the heads. I've been asked about these areas on my engine last summer, of which I've had good luck with no paint burning in either area. In addition to the "high heat areas" the rest of the engine has a good finish too. Maybe it is just luck, but here's how I did it and so far it's held up well.

I know what He's saying about those old Pontiac crossovers. They discolored easily, and yes I see where he blocked them off.

The other area of concern is the exhaust manifolds if you decide to paint them, which I did, and the all too common Pontiac- exhaust-port-burnt paint syndrome.
For the exhaust manifolds and ports I used a high temperature paint purchased from Year One. It's made by Bill Hirsch Automotive, item number: EMPT-14, High Temperature, 1800° Paint. The label is printed with "Exhaust & Manifold Paint" Color; Cast Iron. Eastwood has a similar product in 3 colors, with a temperature rating up to 1200°. I chose the Year One stuff because it had a higher temp rating and I liked the cast iron color. I'm sure the Eastwood product is good, but again the Hirsch product has a higher temp rating and I didn't want to do this more than once, (yeah right..)

Pipe dream? $40 and I'll know more if it matches.

And again>>>>

http://fastcraft.biz/blog/?p=523

I painted the Hubs with KBS silver rustseal coating. While I had the spray equipment out I also painted the spindles and brake covers with Bill Hirsh aluminum engine enamel.

[08rangerdan]

I did my engine with east woods universal aluminum and i used their hardener. Turned out great. Just remember to use an acid etch on bare aluminum to help the paint stay put and not chip off.

The paint itself goes through a gun very nicely and once applied smooths out like glass. Remember once you add a hardener to it, it then becomes high gloss and as you would expect its very hard and chemical/weather resistant.. Defeniately a close clour match to most aluminum paints. but the gloss might not be what you desire.. I personally wouldnt reccomend any paint without a activator or hardener.

[rustybronco]

08rangerdan, How did the colour match the original paint? lighter? darker? metallic in it or not? etc.

How did it hold up under heat around the exhaust ports? Did it brown?

[08rangerdan]

From what i could make out of the original aluminum paint it was a satin finish as most are. Since i added the hardener to my paint it enhansed its properties and as a side effect it makes the paint a very high gloss.. As i said it may not be your oem specific requirement.. If you apply just the paint i can achieve a similar satin finish.. But it will deminish without a hardener. There is alot of metalic in this paint and you spend most of your time mixing it up. But once its mixed its a great colour. The bike isnt running just yet but Im 100% certain this paint is able to handle the heat

[greasyjonny]

^^^looks great