How to paint engine?

[69GMC910]

What is the best was to prep an engine that is already painted for new paint. The old paint is peeling badly. i have started scraping it off, but should I use a paint remover? I have painted two engines in the past and have had both peel badly, what causes this, poor prep??

Also, I've been looking at peoples engine pics on here and a lot of them look super glossy and REALLY ORANGE!! How many coats of paint should be applied??

Basically, what I'm looking for is a step by step for painting!
Please help!!

910

[68gmcdually]

I really don't have the answer off the top of my head. I will ask my dad tomorrow and let you know, he sells engine enamels as a side line/hobby to his restoration business. I believe with mine we just really really cleaned it and degreased it, but I can't remember now.

[gentry69]

i have always just degreased them real good get all the oil and residue off and bought that engine paint from parts store but on this motor im gettin ready to drop in my 51 i used a engine primer and then painted it i think it turned out better than usuall

[68 short step]

heres how i do mine.
step 1- remove all pelling paint. any means nec.(scrapper, die grinder with sanding disc, scotch brite, whatever...)
2----- oven cleaner!! soak it down and let it sit for 30-40 min and keep applying it to keep it foaming.
3------rinse with a water hose or pressure washer. repeat step 2 untail clean. may need to get the tooth brush out and hit the lil nooks and crannys.
4------VERY IMPORTANT let dry and put in sun/heated room and it it around 70-77 degree ideal
5------paint it heavy 2 or mabey 3 coats.
6------once dry....and paint has hardened( usually bout 1 1/2 to 2 days) in 70 degree weather.clear it if ya want a shinny finish.
hope that helps
cleaning


paint

[68 short step]

and heres a pic of a engine that has been 'cleared'... note that in really hot areas the clear will fade ( i.e. the very bottom of exhaust manifold) havent figured out how to prevent that yet with a cleared engine.
anyone know??????

[68 short step]

[wibilly]

any body here use auto body b/c paint on their engines?

[Orange70chevy]

Originally Posted by wibilly

any body here use auto body b/c paint on their engines?

I have! Don't know how well it will hold up yet, But it looks good now!

[greasemonkey]

Me too, just painted mine.

[matthufham]

wait, wash the motor with water? moisture is really bad in a motor, and rushing water is worse. with nothing covering the exhaust valves, spark plug holes, or intake, i wouldn't use water. it'll dry out but won't it damage it?

[gentry69]

Originally Posted by matthufham

wait, wash the motor with water? moisture is really bad in a motor, and rushing water is worse. with nothing covering the exhaust valves, spark plug holes, or intake, i wouldn't use water. it'll dry out but won't it damage it?

i use brake clean several cans or starting fluid thats good to

[Joey-D]

I found that hi-temp enamel also works great for painting your stove top, mine was some old 70 almond color and a little 1200 degree white engine enamel saved me a couple hundred bucks for the new stove top. Yes I will admit, I am a gearhead. My finance called me a hoosier, but I really wanted to paint it Chevy Orange.

[matthufham]

oh and also we painted the wheels on my sister's 4runner with engine paint about 9 months ago and they havn't shown any peeling yet. she never washes it either. we just pressure washed them, took the balance weights off after marking them, and masked the tires off. this is autozone brand or oReilys. i forgot if it needed primer, might add that step in but i'm not sure.

[WHYBYNU]

Here is mine I painted it with 1200 deg high temp engine primer, paint,& clear its been on for a year now and still looks awsome !
The brakets are b/c c/c.. I used paint stripper to get rid of the old paint it worked like a champ...


John

[68 short step]

yes moisture is bad in a motor. take preventative measures to avoid that.. put sparkplgs in tape all ports and take care not to get water in there. ive done this plenty of times and no problems. just be careful and use common sence. youll be fine

Originally Posted by matthufham

wait, wash the motor with water? moisture is really bad in a motor, and rushing water is worse. with nothing covering the exhaust valves, spark plug holes, or intake, i wouldn't use water. it'll dry out but won't it damage it?

[muddpile]

Up here, anyone I know just cleans the engine thorougly with varsol until all grease and oil are gone, scrapes off any flaking paint, and the bruses on Tremclad. Brushing it on they say sticks WAY better than spraying it and you don't notice the brush strokes because of the cast. I'm going to give it a try.

[junior219]

has anybody painted their engine to match their color of the truck or vehicle?? if so, what sort of prep, primer and paint did they use?? I thought is would look good with matching glossy paint and some chrome under the hood

[mike nutt]

these two engines were fresh builds without any paint , they were cleaned good with brake clean and primed with metal etch primer . the first engine was painted with automotive urathaine the second was ppg base/clear automotive paint. the biggest thing to do to keep your paint looking new is to make sure you've got all your leaks sealed up . oil and gas can ruin your paint over time.

[MrC1]

I've always used lotsa carb cleaner and made sure it was very dry.
Then just spray away! Carb cleaner leaes no residue and I've never had paint peel or not stick using this method.

[72MARIO]

The key all of you are missing is WAX and GREASE remover. Any auto paint stores sell it.Got the right idea just not the right product.

I wire wheel used motors to get all the rust and paint off. Epoxy Prime and Base Clear or Polyurthaine for the finish. If you block get's hot enough to burn off auto paints you have bigger problems to worry about.

[Mudder]

Just finsihed getting mine painted. It's going back in next weekend I hope. It's got a lot of dust on it here and I can't take pictures anymore.

[69GMC910]

so do they sell high temp primer and clear coats?? if so, what brands do you guy's prefer??

910

[WHYBYNU]

They do make high temp primer and clear. I used DUPLI-COLOR (made by DUPONT) 1200 deg. high temp engine primer/paint and clear. I bought it at ADVANCE AUTO... Get it as clean as you can and clean it 6 more times before you start painting and you will be very happy with the results...


JOHN

[mike nutt]

VHT also sells high temp paints and primers , can be found at most speed shops , but i prefer auto paints so i can color match the vehicle.

[wibilly]

is epoxy primer suitable for high tem such as heads?