Painting Engine Blocks

[MeanS14]

When I originally did my swap about 2 years ago I disassembled the engine to replace all the gaskets and painted the block while I was at it. I just painted it with a single stage High Temp spray paint from Checker Auto and didnt use any clear or anything so naturally after 2 years it looks pretty bad. Im getting ready to pull my engine again and want to repaint it. I have a couple questions though.

1. Will painting and clearing the block trap in heat and make the engine run hotter?
2. For those who have painted and cleared their block what brand of paint products are you using?

[Kuzumi]

I personally don't have any experience with engine paint other than looking at the ceramic stuff they sell at auto zone. All I know is that when you spray a ceramic paint onto something like an exhaust manifold, it reduces the engine bay temperatures. This might increase the internal temperature though. I would suggest to just clean the engine really well and leave it bare. Hot tank it for the best results at removing all the contaminants.

[koukimonster139]

at our shop we sometimes paint engine blocks to match the exterior color, sikkens base/clear setup is amazing. The only way we've managed to get it to adhere well is to sandblast anything you want painted to etch the metal. After a coat of etching primer it gets sealed and painted just like anything else.


Never had any temperature problems, and these are big flashy high comp v8's. The trans case is the same procedure.

[florante rea]

^^^^^^^^^^do u have sample pics of your work?

[koukimonster139]

these are a couple ive got on file at home; a candy red 67 chevy pickup, a metallic green 53 pickup and a met. purple 70 GTO with a blown LS

67
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/driftgay/67pu3.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/driftgay/67pu.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/driftgay/672.jpg


53
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/driftgay/53pu.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/driftgay/53pu3.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/driftgay/53pu2.jpg


GTO
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/driftgay/GTO2.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/driftgay/GTO3.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/driftgay/GTo1.jpg

[CrimsonRockett]

^Although that does look somewhat nice, that's really for show only imo.

I'd rather sand blast and go with a gunmetal/silver. Something that looks relatively stock, but nicer.

[koukimonster139]

It is for show, but i promise you these cars are driven, not trailered. somewhere ive got burnout vids and slalom/skidpad vids. The paint adheres and seems to do fine at all temp. ranges, it is pricey though. These were just examples you could use any finish and color you wish.

[wisdom01]

Wow so the paint that you guys use on those motors and transmissions are the exact same as the rest of the car? Not a high temp rated? Any idea how long that will last? Sure looks great.

[drivens13]

It is for show, but i promise you these cars are driven, not trailered. somewhere ive got burnout vids and slalom/skidpad vids. The paint adheres and seems to do fine at all temp. ranges, it is pricey though. These were just examples you could use any finish and color you wish.

Use Sikkens also and is hella pricey.Yes regular automotive urethane based paints work on engine blocks but like he says gotta use a coat of etching primer and a good job preping the surface is key.
For a cheaper alternative i like to use POR 15 Engine enamel.Its epoxy based and holds up to high heat very well thanks to the ceramic in it.Can be brushed or sprayed on.
Spray can shit works ok but for the price rather pay little more for the POR.

[koukimonster139]

2-3 coats of base. If its candy 4-6 coats of base. Add 2-3 coats of sikkens hi-temp clear (obviously). The clear itself runs about $400 to $600/gallon depending on your rep and retailer. Basecoat depends on the color and wether or not its a pearl, metallic, candy or solid.

[koukimonster139]

If you want good results be prepared to pay good money. Thats it. Advance auto part's krylon engine paint will not stand up to any of the pics you've seen, to any degree.

[silviaguy240]

heres two coats of duplicolor engine enamel. semi gloss black.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e210/silviaguy240/IMG_0062.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e210/silviaguy240/IMG_0067.jpg

but i got it back from the machine shop like so, hot tanked and blasted, looked brand new.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e210/silviaguy240/IMG_0055.jpg

[koukimonster139]

heres two coats of duplicolor engine enamel. semi gloss black.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e210/silviaguy240/IMG_0062.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e210/silviaguy240/IMG_0067.jpg

but i got it back from the machine shop like so, hot tanked and blasted, looked brand new.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e210/silviaguy240/IMG_0055.jpg

Exactly. tanked and blasted.
OP, whatever sort of finish you put on it the key is to prep it right.

Whatever you decide to do, take the block/head somewhere and have it sandblasted or tanked. Priming is also key.

[S14_Kouki]

IDk about painting the block, iv talked to ppl that say painting aluminum blocks trap in more heat. IDK how true that is but I would not take the chance.

[dynamicck]

I like the raw color of cast iron/aluminum.
Just get your block hot tanked and clean it up if there are still oil/grease spots.

here's mine. only thing I added was new freeze plugs.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/mooseknuckle/Cars/IMG_1194.jpg

[projectRDM]

You can also powdercoat the block, better heat resistance, but you need to have an expert with the particular engine tape it off so you're not spraying areas that shouldn't be covered. I've seen a few done that way and it's just as vivid as the about hot rod pics, and durable too.

[kevinphan]

Doubt this is of any help but heres my block, got it hot tanked as well so it was pretty clean:

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l113/kevin_phan/D70s/D70/KA24DE-Block-2.jpg

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l113/kevin_phan/D70s/D70/KA24DE-Block-3.jpg

Just normal hi-temp engine paint, might repaint it silver.

[fcken_engus]

yeah, sandblast is good enough for me but that looks pretty clean none the less