Painting the block engine still installed

[Mrturner1]

what do you guys do for prep? and whats the paint code for chevy orange?

[davepl]

There are two answers to this. I did the first because I didn't mind the investment (was doing other colors, consoles, lots of parts). I'd advocate the second.

Approach One - Expensive, as good or better than the factory

- Strip motor down, bag (or remove) carb and distributor and accessories
- Steam clean (or seriously pressure wash) everything
- Scrub with degreaser and Scotchbrite pads until wipe-up paper towels are spotless
- You're in the right environment (temp and humidity). Can't do it outside on a damp 35F day.

Now is where it diverges - I got leaded PPG Delron acrylic enamel paint that's only available from one autobody supply in our entire region. Leaded acrylic enamel is hard as heck and will hold its gloss for a long time. But it needs to be shot from a gun with a compressor and needs a hardner and a reducer and about $300 in materials, not counting the gun part, before you can start. I have the PPG color code for the engine somewhere, but couldn't find it easily. I can dig if no one else has it and you need it. The Chevelle/Camaro/Corvette forums are a good place to look.

Option 2 is the rattle can approach - called that disapargingly but I think it can last and look decent if:

- All loose paint is removed and any chips are feathered with sandpaper
- You use the correct primer from the same company first
- You follow the wet/light coat and number of coat instructions on the color can

In general, paint doesn't stick to metal. Paint sticks to primer, and primer sticks to metal. A self-etching primer I think is a must, so it "latches" mechanically onto the metal.

I think a decent self-etching primer followed by a quality brand of engine paint will last quite a while if the prep is good.

I'm sure there are a dozen other threads, I ran across a few searching for own post wherein I described doing Verion 1 back when I did it.

Either way, overspray goes everywhere. If there's anything else in the garage or nearby that you don't want orange or primer color, cover it. And remember paint fumes can be explosive, so use good ventilation (and a respirator if called for) and don't do it where your water heater pilot light is, etc....

[GASoline71]

Remove Anything you don't want to be painted on the engine. Even exhaust manifolds. Mask everything off. If there is something I can't mask off very well I will give it a light coat of petroleum jelly. Even if the paint sticks to the jelly it will wipe right off.

Any auto parts store will have engine enamel. There is "Chevrolet Orange" and "Chevrolet Orange-Red". The one with red in it is a darker shade of orange.

Gary