cylinder painting

BMB · 06-22-2001, 01:08 PM

engine is in pieces.sending out for cylinder/head work. just wondering if cyl/heads should be painted to stop the flakey white stuff on fins. will paint keep in heat or act as radiator? dark color or silver? they will come back bead blasted. thanx

Superman · 06-22-2001, 03:44 PM

I would not try to paint them for a couple of reasons. first, the paint would probably interfere with heat transfer. I don't see how it would not. The best color to rediate heat would be white, and I'm not sure you want anybody noticing your pearly white cylinders. Might get the wrong idea. Or the right idea. Whatever.

Also, it would be hard to get the paint into all the fin cavities without globbing up those air passages.

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'83 SC

Mrmerlin · 06-22-2001, 04:20 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BMB:

Hi BMB, well you have some clean cyls to work on I would recommend that you paint the cyls with engine Hi temp black this color gets rid of heat the fastest,and that is important for a cylinder however white is a good color to use for coating the exhaust system internals, (it is used on aircooled motorcycles to prevent the headers from turning blue)
Anyway black is the best for losing heat on engine cyls, it will also protect the aluminum from corroding, as a side note most aircraft engines that are air cooled also have Black engine cylinders, this makes it run cooler and the cyls dont have the tendency to corrode., and more the aluminum radiator and oil cooler is also painted black to promote cooling.........Stan

BMB · 06-22-2001, 05:28 PM

thanks for the info. black it is

Leland Pate · 06-22-2001, 08:27 PM

so why didn't the factory paint them?

Mrmerlin · 06-22-2001, 08:35 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Leland Pate:
Hi Leland, hey it is Cheaper to not paint and it is easier to make money on a new set of cyls.....Stan

06-22-2001, 10:33 PM

When I have the long block finished I usually put a thin coat of black BBQ paint over the whole engine. I admit I have way more time on VW engines than Porsche, but I beat on my poor 'dubs mercilessly and they don't overheat.

Hi-temp engine paint is good too, I just could never afford it back during my wasted youth.

Obviously mask off any places you don't want paint to go into.

[This message has been edited by robh (edited 06-22-2001).]