Recommendations for engine paint and exhaust manifold coating/paint?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Econman · 02-20-2014, 08:55 AM

I'm getting my engine back from the machine shops next week and want to get the paint ordered while I'm doing the assembly.

What suggestions can you give on brand/type that is the most durable and looks best? I'll be using Chevy orange and some semi-gloss black for pulleys, brackets and breather and silver on the exhaust manifolds.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

cherokeejohn · 02-20-2014, 10:18 AM

Any of the name brand (Rustoleum) rattle cans available at Advanced, Auto Zone, O'Reily's, Etc.. are good enough as long as its Hi-Temp rated. The key to it all is in the prep. Sand,Media,Soda blast if possible, then degreaser the whole thing (pay special attn. to small crevasses, nooks & cranny's, etc... Then the Important part, Use a Prep-Solvent (DX330) that removes any and all residues, glues, sealants, and even oils from our own skin. It also leaves a coat of its own Adhesion Promoter that helps the paint stick to the surface and avoid any "fish-eye's" or separations. There is an assortment of "Prep-Solv's", and mix in additives you can use if you are spraying with a gun that will help a great deal, but they can be quite pricey also. I personally haven't had any problems using the Rattle Can method, and I am a Painter/Body Tech. Best of luck to ya. Hope to see some pics when its painted.

**DeadheadNM** · 02-20-2014, 12:49 PM

Consider ceramic coating for the exhaust manifolds and zinc phosphate coating (Parkerizing) the pulleys (also works great for the door strikers, hood hinges, hood latches)

Econman · 02-20-2014, 01:33 PM

I appreciate the tips.. Where is the best place to find the ceramic coating and zinc phosphate? Any special prep, such as high temp primer for any of the above after thorough solvent cleaning?

Bigdav160 · 02-20-2014, 01:41 PM

When I was a dealer tech, I used to send my engines over to the body shop and the painter would epoxy prime and paint them with BC/CC

They stayed nice and shiny. Very easy to clean.

leftybass209 · 02-20-2014, 02:13 PM

Plasti-Kote is said to have the most accurate Chevrolet Orange paint color. My engine doesn't have any flaking, bubbling, or issues. As far as exhaust goes, there's 3 options that I know of that have worked with excellent results, and I am on the fence of which one to choose as well. There is Calyx coating. It was developed for Corvette enthusiasts. It is NOT a paint, but rather a paste that you can rub on a dirty manifold, and it will look amazing. The downfall to that is it needs to be reapplied periodically. There is POR manifold Gray paint. That seems to last a very long time, but needs blasted manifolds to adhere properly. The same goes for Eastwood Manifold paint, which also lasts a really long time. Best of luck!

BB72CHEVKT · 02-20-2014, 02:36 PM

I use the Eastwood paint and had the manifolds cleaned at the radiator shop and they still have some rust coming thru. I will ceramic coat the next time.

**DeadheadNM** · 02-20-2014, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Econman

I appreciate the tips.. Where is the best place to find the ceramic coating and zinc phosphate? Any special prep, such as high temp primer for any of the above after thorough solvent cleaning?

I used (what was then for me) a local coating company: http://www.kaehr.com/ Search for someone local to you or you can mail parts to this place. The have a minimum $100 order (does a lot of parts) but you can send a pile of greasy hinges, pulleys, bolts, etc. and get back parts that look new. In fact, I had them re-do a set of NOS door strikers that had shelf wear. Even the used set of door strikers they did for me looked new - only the wear on the plastic block belied that appearance.

GM you can see some pics of phosphate coated parts on my K20 build thread linked in my signature below (see post #181).

GASoline71 · 02-20-2014, 02:44 PM

I have used Duplicolor engine paint for the last 10 years with good results. Prep your block, by making sure that all grease and assembly lube is cleaned off.

Gary

BrianG · 02-20-2014, 03:54 PM

[QUOTE=cherokeejohn;6535074] The key to it all is in the prep. Sand,Media,Soda blast if possible, then degreaser the whole thing (pay special attn. to small crevasses, nooks & cranny's, etc... QUOTE]

Question on that comment,

Is it okay to do such things to the motor once it is assembled? I would assume blocking off openings would be a must, but is it okay to sand blast and/or power wash an assembled motor, or are you just asking for trouble doing this?

02-20-2014, 10:18 AM	#2
cherokeejohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wasteminster, Maryland Posts: 409	Re: Recommendations for engine paint and exhaust manifold coating/paint?? Any of the name brand (Rustoleum) rattle cans available at Advanced, Auto Zone, O'Reily's, Etc.. are good enough as long as its Hi-Temp rated. The key to it all is in the prep. Sand,Media,Soda blast if possible, then degreaser the whole thing (pay special attn. to small crevasses, nooks & cranny's, etc... Then the Important part, Use a Prep-Solvent (DX330) that removes any and all residues, glues, sealants, and even oils from our own skin. It also leaves a coat of its own Adhesion Promoter that helps the paint stick to the surface and avoid any "fish-eye's" or separations. There is an assortment of "Prep-Solv's", and mix in additives you can use if you are spraying with a gun that will help a great deal, but they can be quite pricey also. I personally haven't had any problems using the Rattle Can method, and I am a Painter/Body Tech. Best of luck to ya. Hope to see some pics when its painted. __________________ 72 C/10, LWB, 5.7, Auto, with A/C F.B.I = Full Blood Indian Appalachia/Eastern Cherokee,"Tsalagi"

02-20-2014, 12:49 PM	#3
DeadheadNM Carpe manana Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Eau Claire, WI Posts: 12,351	Re: Recommendations for engine paint and exhaust manifold coating/paint?? Consider ceramic coating for the exhaust manifolds and zinc phosphate coating (Parkerizing) the pulleys (also works great for the door strikers, hood hinges, hood latches) __________________ 1972 K5 CST Highlander Blazer: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=708547 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=528308 Members met: ORANGBLAZ, 2003 silverado, MikeCofield, BB72CHEVKT, Duncan&Son, Sameyrasmea72, THENEWMEXICAN, HotRod C/10, brianthelion02, Sport/Truck, ryanroo, michael bustamante, Dirt's72, Already Gone, WestButteTruck, 57taskforce, Moreyel, painterljp, AASmedic, SoCoC10, Lumaestas, carbuff382, Chevyland

02-20-2014, 01:33 PM	#4
Econman Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 362	Re: Recommendations for engine paint and exhaust manifold coating/paint?? I appreciate the tips.. Where is the best place to find the ceramic coating and zinc phosphate? Any special prep, such as high temp primer for any of the above after thorough solvent cleaning?

02-20-2014, 01:41 PM	#5
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: Recommendations for engine paint and exhaust manifold coating/paint?? When I was a dealer tech, I used to send my engines over to the body shop and the painter would epoxy prime and paint them with BC/CC They stayed nice and shiny. Very easy to clean. __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

02-20-2014, 02:13 PM	#6
leftybass209 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 2,186	Re: Recommendations for engine paint and exhaust manifold coating/paint?? Plasti-Kote is said to have the most accurate Chevrolet Orange paint color. My engine doesn't have any flaking, bubbling, or issues. As far as exhaust goes, there's 3 options that I know of that have worked with excellent results, and I am on the fence of which one to choose as well. There is Calyx coating. It was developed for Corvette enthusiasts. It is NOT a paint, but rather a paste that you can rub on a dirty manifold, and it will look amazing. The downfall to that is it needs to be reapplied periodically. There is POR manifold Gray paint. That seems to last a very long time, but needs blasted manifolds to adhere properly. The same goes for Eastwood Manifold paint, which also lasts a really long time. Best of luck!

02-20-2014, 08:55 AM	#1
Econman Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 362	Recommendations for engine paint and exhaust manifold coating/paint?? I'm getting my engine back from the machine shops next week and want to get the paint ordered while I'm doing the assembly. What suggestions can you give on brand/type that is the most durable and looks best? I'll be using Chevy orange and some semi-gloss black for pulleys, brackets and breather and silver on the exhaust manifolds. Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

02-20-2014, 02:36 PM	#7
BB72CHEVKT Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Hideaway, TX Posts: 4,950	Re: Recommendations for engine paint and exhaust manifold coating/paint?? I use the Eastwood paint and had the manifolds cleaned at the radiator shop and they still have some rust coming thru. I will ceramic coat the next time. __________________ 71 Suburban 350/700R4 Project Trixie 72 CHEVY,Highlander,SWB,396,T400

02-20-2014, 03:54 PM	#10
BrianG Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oakley, Michigan Posts: 735	Re: Recommendations for engine paint and exhaust manifold coating/paint?? [QUOTE=cherokeejohn;6535074] The key to it all is in the prep. Sand,Media,Soda blast if possible, then degreaser the whole thing (pay special attn. to small crevasses, nooks & cranny's, etc... QUOTE] Question on that comment, Is it okay to do such things to the motor once it is assembled? I would assume blocking off openings would be a must, but is it okay to sand blast and/or power wash an assembled motor, or are you just asking for trouble doing this?



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.