Engine Paint

[Trevor Jessie]

I'm going to paint my engine that green color that is so popular here. I want to clear coat it as well. Can anyone tell me what type of clear to use?

Thanks

 

[Whitephrog]

www.hightempenginepaint.com/

www.eastwoodco.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1730&itemType=CONTENT

 

[tony barnhill]

I used the Moss green in a spray can & then just bought a spray can of high heat clear.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

So... did you let the Moss paint fully cure, or did you apply the clear after about an hour or so? I don't have my Moss paint yet so I do not know what type of paint it is and therefore what is compatible with it.

 

[dklawson]

Is the clear being applied to add some depth and smoothness or add gloss?

I used the Austin-Healey green from POR-15 on my 1275. I think it's a bit lighter in color than the original green but it still looks very good. POR's enamel has high solids and brushes very well onto the block. It thins with mineral spirits to spray on parts like valve covers.

If you do use clear on top of any green base coat, you might want to try it on a sample part first just to rule out the possibility of the green paint lifting or wrinkling when the clear is applied.

 

[tony barnhill]

So... did you let the Moss paint fully cure, or did you apply the clear after about an hour or so? I don't have my Moss paint yet so I do not know what type of paint it is and therefore what is compatible with it.

I waited a couple of hours before shooting the clear.

But, Hap needs to chime in here because he's the master artist of Midget motors.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I want to clear coat it because coolant tends to bleach the standard engine paints, and it should make it less stain resistant too.

I'll certainly do a test bit, but it is always good to hear what has worked for other people.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

I clear anytime after the the Moss BMC green is dry to the touch , so yes it could be a hour or so if the paint is dry to touch or the next day, i try to clear when it not so humid, but if the clear (I use Duplicolor engine hi heat clear) does turn chauky white looking, not to worry it will clear out as it dries.

Doug, I always clear when using Moss' engine paints as they will bleach out if coolant ever gets on them, and the duplicolor will not, unfortunately the BMC green is not easy to find, so many of use the Moss stuff.

 

[dklawson]

Thanks for the explanations on the clear.

I have not seen fading or bleaching with the POR enamel. However, as I mentioned earlier, I think the POR is a bit lighter/paler than the original BMC paint anyway.

For those interested, the picture link below is to my Mini's engine painted with POR Austin-Healey green.
https://home.mindspring.com/~dklawson/minipics/EngineCompartment1.jpg