Engine paint?

[Britexpat2]

Hi,

Can anyone recommend a suitable paint for repainting engine cases? :D

[Pedro]

I used Smoothrite recently which is epoxy based and quite tough. Looks ok so far!

Ped

[CK & AK]

Al used crackle black on the tri-colour.

Also have used Hon*a silver engine paint for engines - seems to give the best finish - which we will be doing to the desmo bike too.

Both out of aerosols, over 5000 miles done with both engines - no probs ..so far :)

[DesmoDog]

CK,

Where did you get the crackle black in a can? Crackle was the effect Dom used on his mighty mighty monster no?

DD

[A Yerbury]

I used sperex ,black, it cures a bit with the heat and doesnt need priming. also black is easy to clean and touch up. Oh and it looks cooler. CK what make was the paint that Al used?

[A Yerbury]

dom used 2 pack through a pump not an aerolsol but top marks for speedy ear pricking Desmond!

[DesmoDog]

I know mate - that's why I'm asking about the make of the crackle finish in a can. Dom used crackle on the cooling fins and other warm bits if I remember right, and lovely sparkly two pack (not the rapper) on the casings.

[A Yerbury]

you may need to pm CK, these days I have no idea who is and who isn't ignoring me/us/them/the voices...it's all rather confusing?! Anyway get to it our kiddy! how long have you been thinking about painting this engine?!
Alex.

[SimonH]

The problem with painting engine cases is not the paint, it's the properties of the underlying metal. Aluminium is highly reactive and forms a thin layer of oxide within 20 minutes of being exposed to the air. To get paint to stick to the metal (as opposed to failing to stick to the oxide) you must clean the metal and paint it immediately.

Industry generally gets around this by using an undercoat called "etch Primer" which is mildly acid based. This eats through the (very thin) oxode layer and keys to the metal. You can buy etch primer from specialist car paint shops.

In your case is suspect the best trick is to clean thoroughly with fine wet/dry and immediately paint.

SimonH

[DesmoDog]

you may need to pm CK, these days I have no idea who is and who isn't ignoring me/us/them/the voices...it's all rather confusing?! Anyway get to it our kiddy! how long have you been thinking about painting this engine?!
Alex.

Forever my man, forever! Being lazy isn't always what it's cracked up to be - neither is having a garage that can only be tiptoed through because of the amount of junk on the floor.

Simon, thanks for the advice on the acid etching - there are indeed white oxidised patches on the lump. The benefits of sea air eh?

[CK & AK]

you may need to pm CK, these days I have no idea who is and who isn't ignoring me/us/them/the voices...it's all rather confusing?! Anyway get to it our kiddy! how long have you been thinking about painting this engine?!
Alex.

Alex, you nut! :rolleyes: :lol:

no need for pm, I just hop on here when work allows - 30 secs at a time! :(

Will ask Alan after work tonight, exactly what paint it was & post up for you :)

as Simon says - its the finish that you need to obtain on the casings BEFORE you paint!

C

[moor-ph0]

Hi,
Visit a HD shop. They sell black crinkle paint for their engines. To achieve a good crinkle effect heat the casing first. It doesn't mention this on the can but you can experiment first by applying to a small piece of aluminium. You get a much better crinkle effect if you preheat.
Geoff

[DesmoDog]

Geoff, forgive my ignorance - what is a HD shop?

[CK & AK]

DesmoDog/Yerbs, it was Sperex that Al used, and needs applying (for best effect) at 70 degrees, so the casings have to be heated (useful if wife/partner has oven in kitchen! :eek: )
His casings were cleaned back to a very polished finish first.

This is not now readily available in UK, but you might find some 'old stock' on somebodys shelves. Comes from the USA.

C :)

[A Yerbury]

sperex! cool thats what I used. It is good but I have just run out. get to it des, I got mine from alfords but it wasnt crackle.

[DesmoDog]

Bugger, so I'm going to have to have the engine to bits anyway. Oh well.

[A Yerbury]

no but if you take the covers off it's a bit easier, use vht slap on black is fine for the hot bits.

[moor-ph0]

Hi,
HD - Harley Davidson shop. I'm sure if Berto reads this reply he'll have some sarky comment.
Geoff

[spacemonkey]

Is it possible to effectively paint the engine whilst in situ? I'm thinking brush for the heads/barrels and spray for the main lump? Is etch primer brushable? Reason I ask is that I really must do something, but really lacvk the facilites/time/willpower to drop the lump... I know that by using a decent brush that a smooth finish can be achieved, so.....? And which paint would be best for using thus?

[A Yerbury]

Is it possible to effectively paint the engine whilst in situ? I'm thinking brush for the heads/barrels and spray for the main lump? Is etch primer brushable? Reason I ask is that I really must do something, but really lacvk the facilites/time/willpower to drop the lump... I know that by using a decent brush that a smooth finish can be achieved, so.....? And which paint would be best for using thus?


the right hand comes of easily, no need to drain the oil as the sidestand keeps most of it leftwards, and as its dry clutch you dont have to worry/fiddle with the hose. paint on vht gloss black goes on fine and is a doddle to maintain, sperex for the cases no priming needed, cures with heat poss a petrol res lacquer for a bit of polish....cripes how many more times do I have to blather on about engine painting?! good luck and keep me posted!

[M900Dom]

I know mate - that's why I'm asking about the make of the crackle finish in a can. Dom used crackle on the cooling fins and other warm bits if I remember right, and lovely sparkly two pack (not the rapper) on the casings.

I did indeed, but the Crackle Finish I used on the Barrells was a Powdercoat finish so not really DIY.
The engine cases were done with 1K Etch Primer, 2K High build Primer, Pearl Black Basecoat and 2K LAquer to finish :D
Requires a knowledge of painting and a Compressor set up really ;)

The heads were done with Spherex epoxy gloss black, heat, fuel and oil proof :D
Sticks like S**t to a blanket as well :D
Just key everything properly with wet n Dry 180g clean with thinners and paint. will need 3-4 coats to get a really good finish, flat or de-nib after the second coat.

Painting as has been said, is ALL about the preparation ;) :D
Post some picks when you`re done
Cheers
Dom