Engine Paint

[TomMull]

In the past, I’ve simply pointed a can of Krylon in the general direction of my engine as a last step in a rebuild. I got the expected results but didn’t really care as long as it ran, had oil pressure, compression, and I could keep leaks to a trickle. Now, instead of a rebuild, I find myself doing a “restoration”. (I just wrote a check to the chrome plater!).
Consequently, I’m thinking about a proper engine paint job. I recently bought a new engine for my sailboat (one of the very few new “durable items” I’ve purchased in my 3 score plus years) and noticed that it had what appeared to be a 2 part paint job, not very well done I might add. It seems to hold up under the heat, although probably somewhat cooler than a car engine. Any thoughts on engine paint will be appreciated. Tom

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

Tom,

After the last thread on POR 15 I am a little hesitant to post a reply but I had good success with the POR 15 Engine painting kit when I did my TR6 resto about 4 years ago now. It has held up well over the past 4 driving seasons over 15000 miles.

Here is the Kit

You need to follow the instructions for prep carefully. Clean/Degrease/Clean with Marine Clean, Etch with Metal Ready, Paint with the Silver Por 15, Cover with the Black (or other color if you prefer).

Here are some pics in order of process

Cheers,
M. Pied Lourd

 

[Brosky]

You can see my engine being painted from the bare block up, if you look here: Engine Assembly & Painting

 

[Darrell_Walker]

I used Hirsch Automotive Engine Enamel:

https://www.hirschauto.com/prodinfo.asp?number=EE-QUART

I brushed it on, it came out well, and seems to be holding up. It's been on the engine for about 8 years.

 

[TomMull]

Thanks all for the ideas, pictures and motivation. The advances made in coatings in the past few decades is impressive although it is sometimes difficult to sort the truly innovative from the snake oil. Tom

 

[UmmYeahOk]

This is POR 15, it was painted over the silver just like M. Pied Lourd did. I had a bad experience with Duplicolor engine paint. It probably was the clear coat we used (also duplicolor engine paint), but with the heat it turn my silver into gold, and my blue into turquoise... ...although Duplicolor still paid me $1000 for submitting great "before" pics anyway. (contest)

So we used POR-15 since we used it with everything else on the car. Havent had it running so Im not sure how good it is yet. Its the same stuff we used on my husbands porsche brakes, which seem to work out fine. However I am curious because the silver we used comes off on my hands, even dried for days. I had used it on my triumph brakes, and even backing in a 300 degree oven it still came off. However after 400 degrees it no longer came off on my hands. Then again, I had bought chrome rattle can panint that would do the exact same thing. Must be whatever they add to it. I just wonder how the red will stay, if the silver is like that

 

[TomMull]

Appreciate the information. Hope the POR15 holds up. It sure looks great.
Tom