Painting engine parts green

[lustyd]

I have a new starter motor to fit to the boat next weekend. I also happen to have a can of volvo green, supplied by the previous owner.

How important would everyone consider the spraying of the new starter? The engine bay isn't damp in the slightest so not convinced it would suffer corrosion. If the consensus is to spray, do I spray prior to fitting? Would this affect warranty?

 

[lustyd]

Needless to say, I'm asking because it feels like a lot of faff to mask and spray ?

 

[jamie N]

I've never seen a painted starter motor on a car, given the fine salt-ridden mist that cars drive through daily in winter. It was provided as being fit for use, I'd pour a glass of wine and relax.

 

[NormanS]

? ?

 

[lustyd]

I was hoping at least one person would say that! Wine it is

 

[doug748]

Put the glass down.

If it is a newish engine and boat, I would paint it. It's of little practical use though it may help stop surface rust which can make an engine look neglected. Also a engine starts to look dodgy as it collects replaced parts in a range of colours. This may be of practical use if you envisage selling the boat at some point.

I speak as a punter who has this morning paid an extra 20 quid to have a new gearbox painted in original colours.

 

[lustyd]

Hadn't thought about selling the boat but that's a pretty good point. It does agree with a general lack of urgency so I'll probably fit it and do the summer trip then paint later. I still don't actually know for sure this will fix the problem so I may even put it back in the box ?

 

[snowbird30ds]

Painting a starter volvo green is a bad idea, it will instantaneously extract most of the money from your bank account like every other green engine component I've costed.

 

[lustyd]

follow up question - mask and spray in place, or mask, paint, install?

 

[Rappey]

Painting a starter volvo green is a bad idea, it will instantaneously extract most of the money from your bank account like every other green engine component I've costed.

In that case still paint it green but call it bmc green, then parts will be the cheapest ever ?

 

[waynes world]

follow up question - mask and spray in place, or mask, paint, install?

Ok, ill be nice but this is a Face book question ha ha

paint it dont paint it, it wont make it work any better either way. A lot easier to paint before fitting and take a very little time as i hope you will know. It would of taken longer to type this question here than paint the starter and read replies lol

 

[Rappey]

I've never seen a painted starter motor on a car

19/20 starter motors on ebay are black, but only the casing of the motor. The rest is aluminium coloured.
I'm in the no paint camp as it always flakes off eventually.

 

[lustyd]

Ok, ill be nice but this is a Face book question ha ha

It is, yes, but in theory there would be less to mask once fitted because the connections would be in place. It would also cover the gaps and bolts while pre-painting does not. I realise it's a trivial question, but thought I'd get some thoughts on the subject anyway

 

[NormanS]

follow up question - mask and spray in place, or mask, paint, install?

Oh I think definitely take the engine out of the boat, and do a proper job.

 

[ChromeDome]

To me it would add value to keep it looking as the original (thinking resale).

And as something worth doing, is worth doing properly, I'd clean it, prime it and paint it.

Then fit it.

 

[jamie N]

Would it not add more to the value in stating that new components had been fitted, and "Look, a new starter motor here......!"

 

[lustyd]

Sadly psychology doesn't work like that. New parts remind a buyer of maintenance and suggests that things break. Unbroken green paint suggests the engine is reliable and has never gone wrong. It's not right but it's reality.

 

[101chugger]

I’d paint it. The body is thin mild steel. A new one was fitted my boat just over a year ago and at the beginning of this season had already showed some significant corrosion. I‘ve since taken it off and painted it. Doing this will also allow you to check the the electrical connections and increase your confidence in your motor.

 

[waynes world]

It is, yes, but in theory there would be less to mask once fitted because the connections would be in place. It would also cover the gaps and bolts while pre-painting does not. I realise it's a trivial question, but thought I'd get some thoughts on the subject anyway

Nah its a few tabs need covering the rest dont need a thing. i rebuilt and painted these with ease. infact whole engine.

easy, ah but if you say then that once fitted it less to mask up then fit it and paint.

answered your own question.

 

[NormanS]

Remember to paint the oil and fuel filters green. ?