Engine Painting Advice

Been reading the forums and have seen a lot of ways to paint, but kinda want to run my plan by you guys before I go ahead with it...

Pulled my engine recently to do some minor work, and try and get it clean. PO had this bike in a FILTHY mess. Anyhow, since I've got it out I'd kinda like to touch it up the black engine paint a bit (81 650 Midnight). I'd like to do this a) without removing all the paint and b) with the engine in tact. Here's what I'm thinking...

a) clean/degrease and remove any chipping paint or rough areas

b)tape off and remove whatever I have to (only part I want to really mess with stripping all the paint from is the valve cover, which is nearly there anyway)

c) wipe down with something like acetone?

d) paint

I was thinking of using some black BBQ paint, but then figured something like VHT or equivelent enamel would have better gas/oil resistance? Not trying for a show job, just want to freshen her up. I'm I missing any obvious steps or asking for any problems?

 

Sounds like a plan. I've had great results with PJ1 CaseBlack Satin finish paint. It is chemically resistive and is a dead ringer for stock color.

 

i used VHT on my header pipes. Still holding up strong. It can certainly take the heat.

 

Well I used the ol Duplicolor Gloss Engine enamel. Head only. I can't say that I'm impressed, but eh, it's not like I sanded everything as fine as could be. Its gloss to semi-gloss - but it's almost textured? It's as if the 'ceramic' that it boast about and the paint didn't always mix. even a little 'dusty' in some places after it dried, like charcoal?

I think it'll be ok. No big deal if not, looks fresher than it did before. I want to paint the valve cover and engine cover panels now... but I'm reluctant about this same paint. Although I need to match these to the gloss. However, maybe if I prep the covers really well? At least they're easier than painting the fins...

 

The PJ1 is good stuff; I've only used the frame paint but it works.

Duplicolor engine enamel is tricky especially gloss; you have to pay close attention to your recoat window and do many thin coats; plus let it CURE completely (takes a while some times, like two weeks) before you so much as BREATHE on it. Their "Low-gloss" is easier to get along with; but it's too "low" a gloss for the Midnight Max.

 

One more step that will really help your paint last. Use coarse scotch bright pad after sanding chipped off areas to go over everything you plan on painting. This helps the paint stick longer. I also used the semi gloss VHT engine enamal its tough and resists oils and gas you need to run the engine though to cure it then let it cool and repeat. Good luck

 

Yeah, I kinda wish I'd stuck to the flat/satin look the head and crank had. Anyone know out there what the original 81 650 Midnight engine looked like? This one was a flat/satin head and case, gloss finish (like the fenders) on all the engine covers. Valve cover was already to far gone to tell.