Painting Engine - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

darrel_s · 08-28-2002, 12:04 PM

Picking up my engine this week, and was wondering what is the best way to go about painting it. I've already purchased the high temp chevy orange paint, so what is the correct way to prep the engine so the top coats get excellent adhesion. Last thing I want is the paint to start chipping off?

bobs409 · 08-28-2002, 01:54 PM

I always spray parts and engines with brake cleaner right before painting. It dissolves any oil that may be on it.

Spray the paint in light coats.

I found that VHT is really good but Plastikote works good too. Avoid the real cheap paint as it's usually very thin.

GreenMystChevy · 08-28-2002, 04:16 PM

I have painted a few engines and so far i have had pretty good luck with them staying there. At least a couple years now on my Velle. Straight from the machinist, I used the degreaser that you buy from a paint store, or wherever, that degreases before painting. Then i make sure that my first coat is "fogged" on so that there is a base for it to stick to. I just wait till it is good and dry and put another coat on, then another, etc. I put as many on as I can, making sure that each one is pretty thin, at least the first couple. When I would put it on real thick, it would run and lead to chips later. The oil pan can be very slippery. Make sure there is no moisture whatsoever on top of the manifold when spraying. It is really just a bunch of common sense stuff.

**COBALT** · 08-28-2002, 05:10 PM

Yeah, brake cleaner kicks butt. I buy it by the case, because it leaves NO residue.

POR-15 makes some good manifold/engine paint. I think you have to have a spray setup for it though. No spray cans.

Stay away from the Napa cast-iron primers and cast colors. Some of them say they're high temp, but fail miserably. I made the mistake of using that crap, and the primer around the heat risers burned right off and took the paint with it.

cheyenne10 · 08-28-2002, 06:04 PM

Has anyone used the kits sold by POR? It comes with the paints, cleaners, etc. Temp. resistance seems like a must with engines and manifolds.

Do any of you have a local vendor with reasoanble prices on POR products?

thanks,

BOb

Ratpowerd67 · 08-28-2002, 06:59 PM

i used POR-15 on my 454. its VERY nice. comes in all kinds of colors, oh yah, you dont spray it. you brush it on and all marks go away when dry. its awsome stuff. you can buy directly from por, or i can post the addy here....rat

darrel_s · 08-28-2002, 07:59 PM

I bought the por-15 chevy orange. Thanks for the posts guys. I'll try the multiple coat method.

08-28-2002, 12:04 PM	#1
darrel_s Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Denver, CO, USA Posts: 212	Painting Engine Picking up my engine this week, and was wondering what is the best way to go about painting it. I've already purchased the high temp chevy orange paint, so what is the correct way to prep the engine so the top coats get excellent adhesion. Last thing I want is the paint to start chipping off?

08-28-2002, 01:54 PM	#2
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	I always spray parts and engines with brake cleaner right before painting. It dissolves any oil that may be on it. Spray the paint in light coats. I found that VHT is really good but Plastikote works good too. Avoid the real cheap paint as it's usually very thin. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

08-28-2002, 04:16 PM	#3
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	I have painted a few engines and so far i have had pretty good luck with them staying there. At least a couple years now on my Velle. Straight from the machinist, I used the degreaser that you buy from a paint store, or wherever, that degreases before painting. Then i make sure that my first coat is "fogged" on so that there is a base for it to stick to. I just wait till it is good and dry and put another coat on, then another, etc. I put as many on as I can, making sure that each one is pretty thin, at least the first couple. When I would put it on real thick, it would run and lead to chips later. The oil pan can be very slippery. Make sure there is no moisture whatsoever on top of the manifold when spraying. It is really just a bunch of common sense stuff. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

08-28-2002, 05:10 PM	#4
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Yeah, brake cleaner kicks butt. I buy it by the case, because it leaves NO residue. POR-15 makes some good manifold/engine paint. I think you have to have a spray setup for it though. No spray cans. Stay away from the Napa cast-iron primers and cast colors. Some of them say they're high temp, but fail miserably. I made the mistake of using that crap, and the primer around the heat risers burned right off and took the paint with it. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

08-28-2002, 06:04 PM	#5
cheyenne10 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,512	POR-15 kits Has anyone used the kits sold by POR? It comes with the paints, cleaners, etc. Temp. resistance seems like a must with engines and manifolds. Do any of you have a local vendor with reasoanble prices on POR products? thanks, BOb __________________ Bob

08-28-2002, 06:59 PM	#6
Ratpowerd67 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Trenton ,Texas Posts: 328	i used POR-15 on my 454. its VERY nice. comes in all kinds of colors, oh yah, you dont spray it. you brush it on and all marks go away when dry. its awsome stuff. you can buy directly from por, or i can post the addy here....rat

08-28-2002, 07:59 PM	#7
darrel_s Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Denver, CO, USA Posts: 212	I bought the por-15 chevy orange. Thanks for the posts guys. I'll try the multiple coat method.



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