What's a Good Engine Paint?

ReefBlueHatch

Active Member

Jan 12, 2010

682

96

39

Central KY

Aug 20, 2011

#1

• Aug 20, 2011

• #1

I'm picking up my heads from the machine shop and I wanted to paint them black. What's a good paint that won't burn off? Also, what's a good way to clean a short block to paint it also?

Thanks!

 

Riceslayer302.0

New Member

Jul 24, 2010

123

1

0

connecticut

Aug 20, 2011

#2

• Aug 20, 2011

• #2

i just rattle canned my whole stock 302 black with VHT 1200*, hope it works lol

 

bentley429isBAC

10 Year Member

Jul 23, 2009

922

188

84

CT

Aug 20, 2011

#3

• Aug 20, 2011

• #3

Duplicolor 500 degree paint. I use it on EVERYTHING.

 

B

Boss 351

Here sthhhhhhhheeeve take a picthh of my man flowe

Jul 13, 2003

2,433

23

48

Canada

Aug 20, 2011

#4

• Aug 20, 2011

• #4

bentley429isBAC said:

Duplicolor 500 degree paint. I use it on EVERYTHING.

Click to expand...

Been using that too, no issues.

 

aar0s

Founding Member

Dec 20, 1998

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Aug 20, 2011

#5

• Aug 20, 2011

• #5

Ive always been told that a painted block will hold heat and possibly over heat easier, you guys had any problem with that?

 

B

Boss 351

Here sthhhhhhhheeeve take a picthh of my man flowe

Jul 13, 2003

2,433

23

48

Canada

Aug 20, 2011

#6

• Aug 20, 2011

• #6

lol If your engine overheats because of paint, you may have bigger issues than a layer of paint lol

 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end

15 Year Member

Nov 11, 2003

6,945

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Northern KY

Aug 20, 2011

#7

• Aug 20, 2011

• #7

VHT 1200 is some very nice paint. I painted my valve covers with it and baked them, they've held up really good. I painted my block with the same stuff and it looks to be holding up great.

 

aar0s

Founding Member

Dec 20, 1998

1,015

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69

Aug 20, 2011

#8

• Aug 20, 2011

• #8

Boss 351 said:

lol If your engine overheats because of paint, you may have bigger issues than a layer of paint lol

Click to expand...

I always thought that it sounded funny but ive been told that for years.

 

lancec2c30

Member

May 14, 2008

570

0

16

Washington

Aug 20, 2011

#9

• Aug 20, 2011

• #9

A lot of engine and high heat paints have ceramic in them. When you think about ceramic coating headers. It insulates a lot of the heat.

I could see how you would get some minor heat trapping spraying a block. But not nearly enough to notice on your gauge.

 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end

15 Year Member

Nov 11, 2003

6,945

1,598

223

Northern KY

Aug 20, 2011

#10

• Aug 20, 2011

• #10

Actually it has been said that painting an engine a light color (like when Ford used gray) can make an engine run cooler because it reflects heat. The same goes with painting the under side of intake manifolds. It's an old hotrod trick to paint the under side white. Supposedly it helps to keep intake air cool. Could be an urban myth...who knows.

 

ALMOST STOCK

Founding Member

Sep 23, 2000

1,250

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CA.

Aug 22, 2011

#11

• Aug 22, 2011

• #11

POR 15 IMO

It still looks the same after 10 yrs........... and even with BLACK it's never once over heated.

 

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ReefBlueHatch

Active Member

Jan 12, 2010

682

96

39

Central KY

Aug 22, 2011

#12

• Aug 22, 2011

• #12

That's so, so beautiful! POR 15 can withstand heat?

Anyone have tips for cleaning up a block for painting?

 

TenorPlayinGuy

Founding Member

Aug 3, 2001

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36

Canyon Country, Ca

Aug 23, 2011

#13

• Aug 23, 2011

• #13

about 20cans of cheap brake cleaner

Or if you have access to a hose, then the foamy engine bright works well enough.

 

VibrantRedGT

"STANGNET'S PENGUIN SMACKER"

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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154

Boca Raton, Florida

Aug 23, 2011

#14

• Aug 23, 2011

• #14

Lots of break clean ($2.97 per can at Walmart) to clean the grease off, use compressed air (air compressor) to further dry brake clean and removed dirt. I also used VHT 1200 Black. Can use the Duplicolor 500 Degree Black High Gloss, Rustoleum 500 Engine Enamel 500 Degree Black High Gloss as well.

The engine block on the 92GT came out so good we painted the engine bay while it was stripped down to the block. Man what a difference. Just need to redo in front of the powerpipe. The MAF use to sit there and scratched it all up. Also painted a bunch of brackets with VHT.

 

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ReefBlueHatch

Active Member

Jan 12, 2010

682

96

39

Central KY

Aug 23, 2011

#15

• Aug 23, 2011

• #15

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys; I really appreciate it.

Next week the front clip is coming off and I'll be starting my long project. The engine bay will be getting painted base/clear in Reef Blue along with a mild wire tuck. The engine is getting a GT40 top end with a TFS stage one. My goal is to have a very clean, stock-like engine bay.