Painting Metal Engine Shroud parts.. what paint to use?

[sempaipaul]

Guys,

I am cleaning up the engine bay and trying to paint all the metal side covers/shrouds. What do you guys recommend for paint? I completely stripped all the parts - and tried the rust oleum ceramic engine enamel - and it didn't seem to stick so well.

Any ideas?

Also I need to paint my oil tank.

Thanks,
Paul

[Cooper911SC]

If they are really stripped to bare metal, make sure they are wiped down with a prep. solvent or lacquer thinner.

Next apply a light coat of self etching primer. I like SEM, UPOL, or Wurth brands. This will grab ahold of the metal.

Next use any of the "favorite" satin or semi flat blacks.

Wurth Satin, SEM Trim Black, Rustoleum 7777 satin, Krylon satin black etc.

I did mine years ago with Krylon and it is still looking decent.

Cooper

[al lkosmal]

Get them powder coated.

[Ayles]

Originally Posted by al lkosmal

Get them powder coated.

What he said, got mine done a couple weeks ago and they came out amazing. I just wish I had taken before pics. I got 7 pieces done for $200. I paid an extra $50 for zinc primer... Not sure if that was necessary or not, so could have gotten it done for $150.

I could not have ever painted them to level they are finished at now.

[Ayles]

[mepstein]

powder coat is a no brainer. I just got 12 parts done in satin black for $75 and that included the glass bead blasting. Just look online and see if someone does it commercial in a nearby industrial park, There are a couple people on pelican who do a nice job but if you have a bunch of parts, it is more cost effective to drop off local.

[gamin]

Powder coat is the way to go. If you must do it yourself rustoleum 7777. Available at walmart.

[911pcars]

Whatever you use, it's best if the paint is compatible with solvent, oil and/or gasoline, all of which are in close proximity.

Sherwood

[timmy2]

I blasted mine, cleaned them properly and used a good primer as suggested earlier, then black semi gloss engine enamel. Worked well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[weseeeee]

I went with powder coating them. It's a nice durable finish!

[dicklague]

Powder coating would be good.

I would paint with Rustoleum satin back 7777. Home Depot, Wal Mart etc. very very good stuff. I have some applications that have been there for 6 years and still looking great.

I love this stuff.

[pmax]

So, what's the verdict between powder coating and rustoleum or equivalent rattle can spraying ?

Sending the parts back and forth for powder coating sounds like it's too much hassle for these parts on a non showcase engine.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Everyone needs to stop powder coating everything. It's typically thick and ugly making everything look like a 2001 Ford Taurus and a bi tch to get off when you want to do it right. Hard candy shells should be left to M&Ms. While not important for sheet metal, it also hides cracks on things like wheels.

Nothing wrong with sanding/media blasting and then using professional quality primers and paint. You can go down to your local body shop supplier and they'll mix you up a can of proper paint you can spray. $25 a can but it's done and done right.

Cerakote is a much better alternative to powder coat if you want to go that route.

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Everyone needs to stop powder coating everything. It's typically thick and ugly making everything look like a 2001 Ford Taurus and a bi tch to get off when you want to do it right. Hard candy shells should be left to M&Ms. While not important for sheet metal, it also hides cracks on things like wheels.

Nothing wrong with sanding/media blasting and then using professional quality primers and paint. You can go down to your local body shop supplier and they'll mix you up a can of proper paint you can spray. $25 a can but it's done and done right.

Cerakote is a much better alternative to powder coat if you want to go that route.

All good advice, but also need to use the material(s) appropriate to the application. Solvents used in the automotive world (gasoline, lube oil, brake fluid, etc.) are not compatible with all paint coatings. It would make sense to use the best product to protect the base material without introducing negative consequences.

Sherwood

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I agree Sherwood and one reason I would go to the experts at a paint supplier to get the right paint. Cerakote is impervious to everything, even aircraft stripper, but will media blast off easily being so thin.

[Trackrash]

I have used semi gloss ENGINE enamel and it has held up well and looks good. I used Prep N Prime to treat the metal after I cleaned it up.

[Daves911L]

Originally Posted by Shaun @ Tru6

Everyone needs to stop powder coating everything. It's typically thick and ugly making everything look like a 2001 Ford Taurus and a bi tch to get off when you want to do it right. Hard candy shells should be left to M&Ms. While not important for sheet metal, it also hides cracks on things like wheels.

Right on, and Thank you for saying so. Have used various automotive enamels over the years, with hardener, and eggshell to very good effect. Have used rattle can Rustoleum and Duplicolor too with decent results. Powdercoat never looks right to my eyes.

[Ayles]

Been almost 4 years since I got my tins powder coated and they still look like the picture I posted above. Save for a little residue from topping off the oil and regular old dust. They wipe down very nicely too.

[3Ddesigns911]

+1 for powdercoating

[reclino]

VHT brake caliper paint, satin black, two coats then bake it on at about 300 deg F. It's resistant to heat up to 600 and oil or brake fluid don't effect it.
David