engine paint question

[greg78gs750]

Hi all.

Got my head back from the machinist's (thanks headbikesmopars!) and looking to start putting my engine back together soon. I want to freshen up the paint, but I am NOT going to blast it clean first. My question is what prep work can I do to spray some black over the existing black engine paint? I have thoroughly degreased the jugs and head, and thoroughly wiped/cleaned with laquer thinner. Planning on using either the vht engine enamel or the caliper paint. I know there are better products out there, but for my purposes, these will be ok. I am going for a refresh here, not a full concourse restoration, good enough is good enough.

Should I spray primer over the existing paint?

Do i need to sand (as best i can with all those fins....) or is the existing rough paint enough?

any additional cleaning needed? Wiping with the thinner and a white cloth comes back clean.

Thanks for any input!!

greg

[P09luis]

Want a long lasting results, Prep Prep Prep the surface is very important. I would light sand everything as much as possible, clean surface with a degreaser, 2 coats of HT primer, 2 coats of HT paint. I never painted an engine so not sure what brands are good. Good luck

[Fjbj40]

The existing factory paint has no primer under it. I have read that it is similar or actually is Gun Kote.

I just painted my 1100ESD engine. I however blasted it and did the Gun Kote process. There is no primer involved with Gun Kote just the Parkerizing treatment which is sprayed on then follow with the black.

If it has the original black paint then just a really thorough cleaning and degreasing with a pre paint degreaser, not laquer or acetone, will be the best you can do. then scuff as much as possible with burgundy scothbrite and follow with the cleaner again, and again.

Then spray with your favorite black, no primer required. I used the VHT caliper paint on my 1000 engine and it has held up really well so far, just make sure you follow the instructions for baking.

[greg78gs750]

I am leaning toward the caliper paint myself, i have had good results with side covers and (?!) calipers....

[Sandy]

I am leaning toward the caliper paint myself, i have had good results with side covers and (?!) calipers....

I used the VHT caliper paint on my cylinders and head and after a couple of years it's still in great shape. I used the aluminum colour, baked as required and it seems to be tough as nails.

[Steve]

I have used VHT caliper paint with virtually NO prep and I consider it a 20/20 paint job.

Yep, 20 feet away at 20 mph, it looks pretty good.

.

[Deuce]

I used a degreaser on mine and then brushed lacquer thinner between the fins to be thorough. I used a silver engine paint I got at AutoZone or something like that.

A side note, when I had my KZ1000, it had a black engine. After cleaning, I'd spray it with Armour All. Made it look brand new!

[Fjbj40]

Never heard of the Armor All trick! Will have to try that sometime, thanks.

I used a degreaser on mine and then brushed lacquer thinner between the fins to be thorough. I used a silver engine paint I got at AutoZone or something like that.

A side note, when I had my KZ1000, it had a black engine. After cleaning, I'd spray it with Armour All. Made it look brand new!