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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: Skunksmash on June 13, 2009, 01:07:46 am

Title: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: Skunksmash on June 13, 2009, 01:07:46 am
When getting an engine all ready and prep'd up to go in a nice engine bay, most people of course will paint the engine block. My question is,  what kind of paint do most people use to paint it? I get the impression that most people use those spray paint cans that are labeled "High temp engine paint" or something like that. They can be found at any wal mart, oriellys or autozone. I really dont know of any alternatives. Perhaps powder coating or something? Maybe some people buy high temp paint from the paint shop and spray like you would a body paint job? I ask cause i got ahold of an old block that i want to start building up for when my motor finally kicks it. It's already back from the machine shop, a buddy had it all worked over but went another way with something else. So he sold it to me for cheap. Supposedly it originally came out of an oldsmobile, so i am thinking of painting it gold. So what would be the best looking, most glossy, most durable paint to use when painting this block?
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: BigBadJohn on June 13, 2009, 01:10:32 am
At one time I was thinking of rebuilding an engine for a camaro I sold. I wanted to make the entire engine flat black and was considering powder coating it myself. I was told by some guys on a camaro board not to use plastic-based powder coat as it could heat up enough to melt and become liquid
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: VileZambonie on June 13, 2009, 10:33:01 am
Just clean it VERY good and use rustoleum. High temp rattle can paint is garbage.
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: 82k5diesel on June 13, 2009, 11:29:59 am
I agree prep is number 1 important. Doesnt matter what you use if you dont prep and make sure it is clean nothing will stick for very long. Oven cleaner works great. We used the same paint on the block as on the body on my buddys 51 ford and after 6 years still looks great.
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: 1HI4x4 on June 13, 2009, 12:39:38 pm
I have used base and clear just like I use on the body and have had great success with it.
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: Skunksmash on June 13, 2009, 02:17:49 pm
Sweet. So just take it to the body shop and have them do it. Easy. And probly cheap as well. Kinda weird though, i never thought that just plain old car paint would stand up to that temperature. Do you know if they have to primer it like a car? Or do they just spray on the paint and then some clear?
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: 1HI4x4 on June 13, 2009, 02:38:15 pm
Sweet. So just take it to the body shop and have them do it. Easy. And probly cheap as well. Kinda weird though, i never thought that just plain old car paint would stand up to that temperature. Do you know if they have to primer it like a car? Or do they just spray on the paint and then some clear?






I primered mine just like the body, everyone said it would discolor around the exhaust but it never did. I'll be painting another one this fall that goes in my current truck.
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: exilous on June 13, 2009, 10:39:50 pm
Wow, i never would have guessed rustoleum or regular car paint would work. So I should probably return the cans of high temp engine paint I bought?
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: Skunksmash on June 13, 2009, 11:27:53 pm
Anyone else know if you are supposed to use primer?
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: Blazin on June 13, 2009, 11:33:21 pm
I have used a self etching primer on a block before. I have also use Chassis Saver, then sprayed over them both with both single stage acrylic enamel, & High temp spray bomb. All of them have held up good.
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: Stewart G Griffin on June 14, 2009, 10:12:14 am
Why paint in the first place?
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: VileZambonie on June 14, 2009, 10:41:39 am
Why paint in the first place?

Protection, appearance, better heat dissipation...
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: Skunksmash on June 14, 2009, 02:38:38 pm
I didnt know it helped with heat dissipation, i figured if anything it would help hold heat in.
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: Stewart G Griffin on June 14, 2009, 06:00:47 pm
Protection against rust?

Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: VileZambonie on June 14, 2009, 06:20:52 pm
yes rust and corrosion protection. A clean painted engine will better dissipate heat.  And of course most of all appearance. I have a nice clean engine in all of my vehicles.
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: exilous on June 15, 2009, 07:14:02 am
I cna't wait to make my engine all painted and pretty
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: Skunksmash on June 15, 2009, 03:25:51 pm
What cleaning steps do you take when you clean a block for prep, vile? Maybe just a wire brush and some oven cleaner, like the other member said? Then wash it with plain water and towel dry perhaps?
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: 1HI4x4 on June 15, 2009, 03:33:10 pm
I have good luck using accetone and some wire brushes, if you use oven cleaner make sure you get all the residue off the motor or the paint won't stick.
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: VileZambonie on June 15, 2009, 03:44:16 pm
Personally I use aircraft remover after the initial gunk down. If it's going to the machine shop I have it hot tanked also. Pressure wash it with simple green and make sure there is NO residues. Once it's dry, prime and paint. I usually do 3 coats.
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: Blue 82 on June 15, 2009, 06:12:00 pm
When i was younger, Plasticoat Orange was my color of choice. It always looked "wet"
On boats, we would paint everything white after red primer.
Anymore, I just paint em black,
Rustoleum Hard Hat works for me (after a red primer of course)
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: Blazin on June 15, 2009, 07:55:25 pm
I have used Simple Green but my opinion Castrol Super Clean works better.
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: Jay2D2 on June 15, 2009, 08:24:44 pm
I have used Simple Green but my opinion Castrol Super Clean works better.

X2
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: Skunksmash on June 15, 2009, 08:34:59 pm
I guess it leaves no residue?
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: Blazin on June 15, 2009, 09:48:16 pm
None of them leave a residue if they are rinsed off good with hot hot water. I use break clean to hose any mechanical part down before I paint it. Oil pan, valve cover, intake what ever. A good auto body prep solvent works fine too.
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: Skunksmash on June 16, 2009, 02:22:30 pm
Let's see some pics of some nice painted engine blocks!
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: VileZambonie on June 16, 2009, 03:41:43 pm
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=12053.0
Title: Re: What do yall use to paint your engine blocks?
Post by: Skunksmash on June 18, 2009, 03:03:38 am
What color gold should i use, if i want to be true to the whole Oldsmobile thing?