Engine Painting

In the midst of my engine rebuilding, and need to paint before the reassembly process can proceed. It seems the paint that Yamaha originally used is quite tough, besides the spots that have flaked off, so how does rattle can paint compare?

I plan to primer, high temp paint, and clearcoat, and the engine parts are currently being bead blasted and cleaned, but I was told by a body shop that basically I could do just as well as they could with rattle cans being it's an air cooled engine and anything they apply would probably just be out of a rattle can as well. I'm a bit apprehensive on whether all body shops would simply use high temp spray paint, but to save money that's probably the route I'll go.

After a couple years do any of you guys who used spray paint on your engines have any regrets?

 

I have used VHT paint on air cooled two strokes and had it last for years. Stuff is available at any auto parts store. If you have a Harley dealership near you, you can buy a can of the engine paint they use, grey or black. Its expensive ($25/can) but supposedly it is top notch and will last a long time.

 

3 layers of paint ? = 3 layers of insulation, probably no big deal. but it is 3X the work and the paint is getting kind of thick under the bolt heads.
i got a quart of this stuff and used a airbrush, might be the best paint i ever used. i'd paint a tank with it
http://www.eastwood.com/paints/hi-temp-engine-paints/engine-paints.html

 

Nothing is final, so I'll take all the input I can get. Thank you.

 

VHT is my got to ..last for years

 

Anyone ever had, or know someone who has had, their air cooled engine powdercoated? I know people argue back and forth about cooling, but otherwise I know you can have high temp powder used so I'm curious what others think.

 

Idk,,, powder coat cures at 350f (200c). Never messed with it YET, be curious if it will soften when heated after curing. As far as tempature diferance between painted and unpainted, I only had a 5 to 10 degree diffrance after painting my engine black. Will it make a diffrance for day to day driving? I think not.

 

I'm also curious about how it reacts to being continuously heated and cooled after curing. I'd assume the high-temp powder is an answer to the issue, but does it still tend to weaken faster than paint over time?

 

The biggest issue I have with powder coat is that you have a scratch that goes to bare metal, water has a tendency to seep beneath the surface via that scratch.

 

I painted mine with POR-15 or POR-20 Aluminum. It will cure at 200-300* .I can be sprayed or bushe
I can send you some pics if your curious.

 

I don't really have access to an adequate compressor to use a spray gun, and curing in the kitchen oven is a definite no.

If I paint it I'm basically stuck with a rattle can. I've seen some decent options, but don't really feel like spending $100 on top quality rattle can primer and paint just to have the crap peel off when you spill gas.

 

The vht is chemical resistance, my tank is painted with it and has stood up very well. Its only $6. As far as curing, let the heat of the engine cure it. The stuff is very forgiving, flows out very smooth. Just dont paint when its cold or with the humidity high, but thats with any paint.

 

Maybe I should have explained a little further;
It dries after you brush it on, especially in small hard to reach spots,it just fully cures when engine reaches temp. If you were to see engine temp with a infrared gun its going to be somewhere in the 200 * range. Plenty hot enough to cure.1 pint can will easily do an engine or two . $ 30-40
Don't settle for just the rattle can

 

This was put on with a brush, VHT paint is very good as well

 

That's sweet looking bobcat, are you going to change all the allen head bolts to stainless?

 

No need to primer or clear coat with vht, as soon as it clears up hear I will send you some pics, my engine paint is going on 3 years now, other than the road grime the job still looks good, now the paint on the headers are starting to fade.

 

Thanks
Probably not , kinda dig the semi gloss look,

 

Probably not , kinda dig the

They don't reccomend priming just a water soluble etching spray. Very easy spray it on let it sit, spray it down with water and blow or wipe it off, definitely takes more time than spray bomb, but worth it. Comes in a matte black also.

 

Machine shop got my parts cleaned and recommended Goodson ALB-1 aluminum paint. They use it on their engine rebuilds and it apparently needs no primer or clear coat, and they said it makes the parts look brand new. Anyone have experience with the stuff?

 

we have given you two reliable and affordable options ?

 

When a machine shop tells me they use product X on their rebuilds and it does excellent my curiousity peaks. I guess I should feel mistaken?

 

Yet you don't trust their expert advice either, why question. Use product X.

 

I don't like basing decisions on the word of one when I don't have to.

 

Good luck

 

I'm not convinced you really need to repaint your engine. I'm going to wait and see what a whole bunch of other people say. I'm not going to go on the word of just one person (you) either......since I don't have to.

 

Post wasn't meant to convince you my engine needed repainted, was it?

 

Lol!

Seriously though, there's been a lot of positive responses based on people's experiences. My 2 cents is just about any paint works well if you follow their directions. I've used rattle cans and POR brush paints with good results.

 

I'm gonna go forth with the AlB-1, with a primer. Shop wouldn't bead blast the engine case so I'll have to finish it by hand. Hot bath they gave it only did so much.

I do appreciate the feedback. I came off more hostile than I'd intended.

 

Goodson ALB-1 aluminum paint the stuff works great, the other paints work great to all based on what you want to spend on paint. Personally I have used Goodson and I love it. Thats just me tho.

 

Frame and other parts after powdercoating. Came out great. Really impressed with the stuff.

 

Looking good. My bike looks just like that one at the moment!

 

That looks great, seriously tempting to go that route looking at these pics.

 

I'd recommend it. Guy had a lot of other stuff displayed and it all really looked great. Glad I went this route.

 

What are you using?

 

Glad I went with the powder coating I guess I should say. Haven't done anything with the engine yet. Too cold here at the moment to paint anything myself.

 

I might be a little late to the party, but I'd look at wood stove paint. Flat black look and if your engine ever gets as hot as a stove, you're going to have more problems than flaking paint.

 

The trouble with that is stove paint needs to get to 300ºF to cure properly. It's great stuff if you need a cheap way to salvage rusty exhaust headers, but not so good to paint an engine with.

 

And chemicals can take it off very easily

 

how much did it cost to get the frame powder coated?

 

Frame, swing arm, center stand, kick stand and brackets (everything pictured) was $285. That was to have it all prepped and coated. Seems to be about the average from pricing other powder coaters.

 

we sell the VHT at work and nothing but good stories about it. I picked up a few cans for my project but haven't been able to use it yet. ZERO bad mouthing about VHT from folks who have used it, and that's sayin something!

 

I hope what they say about VHT is correct. I've bought A bunch of it it varying finishes of black. Satin, flat and gloss.