Engine Painting

[handi_andi]

Hello all
Now that the block is stripped, clean and in my kitchen to dry, I wish to give it a coat or two of paint. I have a tin of the correct enamel from Paul Matty's but was wondering whether I should prime the surface first with a standard metal primer or just paint over the light surface rust and existing paint after I have degreased the surface again prior to painting?
Cheers
Andy

[andyelan]

Hi Andy

I painted the engine of my Europa about 10 years ago without any primer and the paint on the block's still fine. It's the cylinder head and, to a lesser extent, the sump where it all came off.

Regards
Andy

[types26/36]

Andy, I remove all the old paint and rust with Nitromors, spray/wash the engine off a couple of times with petrol or thinners, dry it off with compressed air then just paint it with no prima.
No doubts there will be howls of "that's dangerous".... yardi yardi yah! .....well it works for me and of course you can take precautions....mask...gloves..vented area etc.

[jeff jackson]

I used a tin of black engine enamel from the local car shop. Halfords I think. I used a little drop of white hammerite smooth, to get it looking the correct ( to me anyway) shade of grey, and painted it straight on to the de-greased engine block.
Been on there for years, no rust coming through, and not flaking off. Proper job.
Jeff 72+2

[handi_andi]

Cool. Well I have two coats of QED enamel on now and am debating how many layers I should put on as with each coat there is the risk of further small runs. Normally with other components I would put three of four coats on, am wondering whether I should apply the same thing to the engine or not as would like it to look good as well as being protected.
Cheers
Andy

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Same here,

I've painted a number of twin cam blocks with "household paint", Humbrol used to be my favourite because of its covering power & 1 hour drying time.
Choice of colour was "Cosworth"(well my idea of) maroon
2 coats usually gives a smooth, shiny & easy to wipe down surface.
The Zetec was done similarly in light grey; easy to find leaks as opposed easy to hide leaks
Cleanliness prior to painting is really the only thing to worry about.

Cheers
John

[handi_andi]

That is cool then will leave it at two brush painted coats, which will give plenty of drying time before it needs to be mounted on the engine stand before monday evening when my daughter comes and wnats to help with daddy's red car

Cheers

Andy