Engine bay and undercarriage painting

65cafastback · May 21, 2011

I love this site, you guys have a wealth of knowledge. My project started out as something I was hoping to get on the road quick, since this fastback has been garaged for over 25 years, but I have started to go a little deeper.

Before I install my motor I would like to paint the engine bay. I've been keeping up on the Por 15 posts and was originally planning on doing that and even have a quart. There seems to be some contraversy if the Por 15 will adhere to metal with no rust. I really like the painted bays that are the same color as car, so was thinking of priming and painting. Haven't done this before and looking for help.

If I paint the engine bay now orange and paint car later what should I do to the undercarriage? I would like to treat these areas now so I don't have to do it again, also to prevent any rust as I have any rust to deal with now.

I will be replacing all suspension so atleast the front of the car will be bare so pretty easy to work with.

So really my questions are,
1. How would you clean and prep for paint?
I have been cleaning with degreaser and a brush, man a pita.

2. Prime and paint?
I dont have rust so not sure if the Por 15 will adhere.

3. If I prime and paint where do you suggest on getting gun, primer, and paint? Eastwood? Brands?

Well any suggestions will be appreciated. Once I get these areas treated I can get my suspension, brakes, and get the motor/tranny installed.

Here are a couple pictures

Thanks again,
Kenny

MustangB · May 23, 2011

Myself and several friends have had good luck with Eastwood products.

As far as painting, it is like building a house. You want the foundation as stable as possible and this is usually accomplished by media blasting. You can rent one and blast the undercarriage and engine compartment. This should expose any problem areas that you will need to fix before you paint. Once the metal is clean, you are good to go. If your car is going to be a driver, why not stick with something simple like black for the undercarriage? Eastwood has paint/primer specifically for frames and undercarriages.

This post is in no way meant to spell out all the steps involved.

robbz28 · May 23, 2011

What are those two huge holes in the rear frame rails? Other than that and some spotty rust on the front of the floorpans that looks like a real solid undercarriage. The level of protection should be determined by the planned use of the car. POR-15 is a fine product, but I only use it on places you are never going to see, or have access to, or known problem areas (inside frame rails, under cowl, etc. Otherwise a nice cleaning, priming, painting should suffice everywhere else. As mentioned Eastwood makes some fine specialty products, I used their "underhood black" with ceramic for my engine bay, it has that nice semi-gloss finish to it.
Media blasting would definately be the best route, but it can be expensive, and once blasted you have to immediately prime the car or else it will get a layer of surface rust nearly overnight (if you are in a humid climate like me)

67rcks · May 24, 2011

POR15 is way overpriced, average quality paint, advertised for home mechanics. Eastwood paints IMO are no different, yet I have not tried them. Eastwood is one store in PA, I doubt they develop any paints, they just place their name on regular alkyde enamels made by duplicolor or other paint maker. Base coat+clear coat is OK (except fenders) as far as you do it by yourself, or willing to pay extra. Involves lots of sanding+preparation.

Engine bay and undercarriage painting

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Engine bay and undercarriage painting

65cafastback

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