Technical Engine Painting

I've always used rattle cans for painting an engine, but I want to try using a PPG single stage urethane this time. I was planning on shooting DP40LF epoxy primer on first, but a friend said to just shoot color on the bare block. Is epoxy primer on cast iron a no-no for some reason ??

 

I've heard that on cast part, no primer is necessary. On sheet metal ones, yes. Personally I use a thin coat of epoxy on all the engine parts. It has better adhesion than paint, evens out the coloring, and can smooth it out a bit. You can't go wrong with primer. Just keep the entire paint film as thin as possible. SS urethane is a great paint for engines, as is BC/CC, Centari or polyurethane.

 

I've done a couple with acrylic enamel, over bare iron. Seems to work fine.

I don't like seeing primer spots when the paint gets chipped....same on frames, I just paint black over the steel, no primer.

 

Epoxy on any bare iron or steel. Just get it clean. Done many restos that way. Unless you have an industrial dtm paint you can't expect any real durability by applying automotive paint to bare metal. 32 yrs exp speaking. RS59


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

that engine I painted with Centari 25 years ago still looks pretty good...

 

I used an epoxy primer and painted my flathead base clear. Turned out great

 

Look at por 15 paint I absolutely love it and have been painting all my engines with it

Sent from my SM-G900V using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Etched first and light coat of primer before painting..wet rubbed

 

Even Pearl White is possible, using House of Kolor urethanes.