Repainting an engine

3twinridges

3twinridges

Well-known member
When dad and I built our freshly machined 8BA two years ago I used VHT rattle can primer and engine paint. When we first fired it up we had a gas leak and it lifted some of the paint on the intake and top of the block. I need to touch that up and recoat it. Since then I have been introduced to Bill Hirsch engine enamel and really like that paint and would like to recoat the entire engine in it. My thoughts were to rough up the block with 320 paper and reshoot it. Has anyone shot over VHT rattle can paint with Bill hirsch and had good results?

JB
 
3twinridges said:
When dad and I built our freshly machined 8BA two years ago I used VHT rattle can primer and engine paint. When we first fired it up we had a gas leak and it lifted some of the paint on the intake and top of the block. I need to touch that up and recoat it. Since then I have been introduced to Bill Hirsch engine enamel and really like that paint and would like to recoat the entire engine in it. My thoughts were to rough up the block with 320 paper and reshoot it. Has anyone shot over VHT rattle can paint with Bill hirsch and had good results?

JB
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I would also think red/maroon scotch brite would help you scuff everywhere and form to some of the shapes. I would want to make sure that it is completely scuffed everywhere. Before you sand, clean with prepsol and the again after you sand right before paint. Oil would be your enemy i would think....
 
I would clean the loose paint off first.

Then I would get a good quality foam brush and brush on the paint. You will get better coverage on the cast iron and the Bill Hirsch paint flows nicely so you will not see brush marks and it will look like you sprayed the paint on with a gun. No over spray mess and clean up is easy.

I've done this on many blocks and the latest 1940 engine I built is going in a Dearborn class car. It's beautiful.
 
For me brushing on the engine paint works best, it really flows out nice!
 

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Try a spot and see if the paint lifts. You never know with some of the rattle can stuff. I've seen some bubble right up as soon as any solvent hits it. Fuel is also a volatile form of naphtha and it just depends on how long the paint was exposed to it as to how long it took for it to bubble up.
 
Hint: if there are bolts or ? you want to avoid painting instead of using tape try little pieces of aluminum foil...easier to manage... Chap
 
Eventually any paint will be overcome to the heat cycles. Clean it best you can from paint and oil and apply. Probably last 5-6 yrs or more, or more if you don't drive it.
 
As an old sign painter, I would suggest adding a little Penetrol to the paint. Really helps with the "flow" of the paint and it does not "thin" the paint as adding thinner would do.
 
We are going to pull the engine and repaint it. Scuff it up and such and get it clean for a repaint. Would you use a rattle can primer before the Hirsch paint or shoot it with DP50 ppg epoxy to ensure good bite?

JB
 
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