Paint for engine

[lumphammer]

What sort of paint should I use to repaint (in white) an engine and generator?

Are there any bits that shouldn't be painted?

 

[cliff]

Engine enamel or even radiator paint - that should withstand the heat nicely.
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

 

[Heckler]

when ever i used to rebuild an engine i used to respray it all with international enamel that was used by our supply boats to paint their top sides. since retiring and not haveing a supply of free international i have used halfords spray cans that they sell for touching up cars. it works fine, the heat is not a problem. just be a bit careful near the alternator so that the spray drift doesnt get on the slip rings.
stu

 

[andy_wilson]

If the engine has been in bits, no point doing it until you have done a few hours and had the rocker cover off to re-check the valve clearences and re-torque the head bolts.

Then, degrease, derust as best you can (I use acid), and I would suggest using something like Hammerite smooth which is self priming, has some resistance to coming off if painted over rust, and temperature resistant.

It comes in spray cans, about £7.50 from Halfords.

Paint everything except the alternator, drive belt, and little bras cover on water pump (if you have one). Good idea to then put a blob of red on all bleed screws.

 

[Plum]

(1) degrease with "Gunk" and wash off with fresh water. (2) abrade with wire brush in battery-drill or by any other means (3) clean dust off (4) if there is surface rust paint with Hammerite No.1 Rust killer or apply Hammerite "special metal primer" on non-ferrous parts (5) paint with hammerite smooth applying two coats in succession as advised on the tin.

The above has worked for me and still looks good after 5 years

 

[Ships_Cat]

I agree, common enamel works fine and the heat is no problem to it.

John

 

[vyv_cox]

Smoothrite works very well. I am almost certain that Bukh red engine paint is identical to this product, at considerable mark-up, of course. They make it in a variety of colours, including white. Available in most hardware shops, the smooth version of Hammerite.

I normally paint what was painted, as a general rule. Other than electrical connectors nothing will suffer any significant damage by being painted. Smoothrite dries so quickly that no damage to plastics and rubber will take place.

 

[the_wanderer]

In my younger days when car engines were clapped out at a comparative short mileage compared to what we have now, I used to recondition my own engines. I used to repaint them after thorough degreasing with Woolworths paint! Afterall, the block will never reach much higher than 100 degrees centigrade and this worked quite admirably.

Regards.

Alan.

 

[Lakesailor]

Engine Lacquer. Get it from Halfords. Forget all the other rubbish.
The engine, rocker cover and gearbox are all in it.

 

[the_wanderer]

Nice one. Gimme a knife and fork and i'll eat me dinner off it.