Engine Painting

[RetroTexan]

I've got the k100 broken down and I've used two bottles of Zepp Fast505 cleaner and a whole box of shop towels cleaning all the gunk and buildup. I've still got some cleaning to do on the engine to set my mind at ease to make sure my paint job works out well.

I'm about ready to get going on the painting but first I want to use a primer. The only primer I've read online anyone using on aluminum blocks is Duplicolor DAP1690 but I searched everywhere for comments specific to K100's and found little info.

https://www.google.com/search?q=zep+fast+505&oq=zep+fast&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j0l4.3019j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Does anyone have any experience with this stuff? Afterwards I'm planning to use VHT High Temp.

Concerns, experiences, suggestions welcome.

[Bill]

I would check to see what VHT recommends as a primer as not all paints are compatible. Does VHT have a primer ?

[rbm]

I setup a temporary spray booth from some scrap 1x2 lumber and vapour barrier plastic I had around the garage, stapling vapor barrier to the outside and installing a ventilation fan at the back. I laid plastic on the floor of the garage to prevent overspray from ruining the tiles.  I completely dismantled the components from the engine block and spent quite some time cleaning, degreasing and masking the engine.  I cleaned the engine block using a drill and a variety of brass wire wheels along with plenty of WD-40 to take off the engine grime.  I then used Wax and Oil Remover to degrease the block, prior to laying down the finish coat.  Once that time-consuming work was done, I set the engine block (on the movable carrier) in the spray booth and proceeded to give it several coats of the DupliColor silver engine paint.  I skipped a primer coat (as advised by others) and went straight to the Duplicolor.  I laid down 24 light coats and "baked" after each session by setting the engine out in the hot summer sun for several hours.

This work was done three years ago and the paint is still holding up. I can't stress enough the need to thoroughly clean and degrease the block prior to painting.  That is the most important step.  The next most important tip is to use light coats, almost dusting the block.  It causes a sandpaper rough surface that keys into the subsequent coats of paint and ensures no runs.  Avoid the temptation to cover in the first coats; runs are inevitable that way.   Take your time, be patient.  It took me several days to complete the job using spray cans.

[jay1622]

I prepped my parts to the damn letter, used VHT high temp primer and high temp paint, and baked all of the parts accordingly. I can barely let anything graze my finished parts without the topcoat chipping away. I'm so pissed. I'll be a touch-up mo-fo for sure. Don't use it brother. Sorry.

[Martin]

I've had excellent results using Rustoleum Ultra Cover Paint and Primer in Satin Canyon Black.  But as Robert stated cleaning is vital use a wax and grease remover first, and multiple light coats are better.
C.heers Martin.

[RetroTexan]

Jay, sorry to hear your troubles but I can't thank you enough for letting me know and saving me a huge headache!

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'm surprised to hear that a primer wasn't even necessary. I may just go ahead and try that, taking a couple of days to do the job right is well within my time frame, and being in Txas I'm sure I have plenty of heat to help it bake!

[lilau3]

I've had excellent results using Rustoleum Ultra Cover Paint and Primer in Satin Canyon Black.  But as Robert stated cleaning is vital use a wax and grease remover first, and multiple light coats are better.
C.heers Martin.

Hi @Martin, Is this the paint you mention:
https://www.bunnings.com.au/rust-oleum-340g-ultra-cover-2x-satin-spray-paint-canyon-black_p1580677


I have just had just had my engine covers hydroblasted in preparation for painting so hopefully they should be fairly clean. I was going to powder coat but it sounds like that is an insulator, so I guess I should just paint it myself.


(they actually look shit hot in their raw hydroblasted finish but the rest of the engine is black)

[blackie1]

I wouldn't be able to sleep at night with only 24 x coats Rob, talk about a half assed job :hehehe