Engine Paint In Grey

[trintek]

at the risk of sounding stupid... isn't painting an air cooled engine usually a bad idea due to insulating characteristics of paint?

my brother and i used to rebuild, drive, sometimes race old volkswagens. usually when we wanted to improve the appearance we would sand or bead blast for a good factory aluminum/magnesium color or polish and or metal plate for a custom look. we had one baja that had a stock 1600 painted black, the only engine that died that season. the 1776 engine with brass plating was still going strong when it was sold. the 1835 with chrome plating lasted until it was sold.

so major question, how much does painting change the heat shedding characteristics of the fins? not trying to start a debate, just interested as i would rather use paint on my bike instead of having to dismount, plug, dip, etc the engine to get a good custom look for it.

 

[Nessism]

Suzuki painted the engines silver so I don't think sealing in heat is a problem.

Regarding caliper paint, I used some of the Duplicolor caliper paint and that stuff is killer thick and hard to spray. Not sure about other brands but I don't think that's the best stuff for an engine.

Regarding VHT aluminum engine paint, I still say that stuff doen't match the factory color that well but it looks good regardless.

I used POR-15 engine paint on my 1000S rebuild project and now the silver is turning yellowish after only a short time. I can't recommend it although it does have killer durability against scratching and chemicals.

 

[jwhelan65]

Yeah my plans of coarse are to strip and thoroughly clean it, the Dupli-color I used on my calipers was actually engine enamel DE1651 cast coat iron being the color code. It went on very thin requiring several coats. I prefer a little darker color than the stock. Here it is on the calipers..

 

[jwhelan65]

Ok, so back to my original question...has anyone used Dupli-color engine enamel on an engine?

 

[trintek]

don't know if it helps, but... i've used it on a few watercooled engines, looked great, lasted for years. i used red for the valve cover, black on the engine and radiator, and clear coat on everything.

photos were taken 1 year or so after application.

 

[jwhelan65]

don't know if it helps, but... i've used it on a few watercooled engines, looked great, lasted for years. i used red for the valve cover, black on the engine and radiator, and clear coat on everything.

photos were taken 1 year or so after application.

Thats good info, thanks man...I guess I'm partial to the color that I want to use, that's why I was curious if anyone had used it with success over a long period of time.

 

[trintek]

that was used on a 1965 ford f100 inline 6... ran hot as hell all the time, even with new radiator and added scoops for air. it still looked new when i sold the truck last year, had around 3 years on it at that point. just make sure you do a good job of prepping the metal first and you shouldn't have any issues.

edit:
only issue i had was after 2 years, the black and clear coat started to peel around the exhaust header

 

[gearhead13]

I used plasticote (I was told it was the same or made by the same people as duplicolor) black engine enamel on my 750, baked it before assembly, and the finish on it not isnt shiny anymore after a year of
riding. Smudging on the head and valve cover from doing maintenance. If that helps

 

[hampshirehog]

I used Duplicolour satin black VHT on my lad's trail bike motor - the whole thing, head, cylinder, cases etc - and it's lasted surprisingly well (surprising as the whole bike has had some tough times in the mud). It's not petrol resistant however so you need to be careful afterwards (no leaky carbs allowed!).

Tried it on his exhaust as well but it only lasted a few days on the first 18 inches (which was what I expected but nothing ventured....).

 

[pontiacstogo]

Ok, so back to my original question...has anyone used Dupli-color engine enamel on an engine?

Yep - Duplicolor DE1615 Engine Enamel - flows nice, doesn't discolor and matches the original color very well.

 

[gsryder]

What the general public opinion on using Gun-Kote?

 

[Nessism]

What the general public opinion on using Gun-Kote?

Best stuff available I think.

 

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Yep - Duplicolor DE1615 Engine Enamel - flows nice, doesn't discolor and matches the original color very well.

The colour on this block looks very good and seems pretty close to OEM compared to some of the other aluminium engine colours I've seen. Iam also planning to repaint my 1100 engine and have narrowed the field down to this Duplicolor DE1615 and the POR-15 Aluminium Engine Enamel. This thread has been a great help so thanks to all for your contributions and thanks to Suzuki Don for kicking it off, cheers.

 

[Guest]

I used POR-15 engine paint on my 1000S rebuild project and now the silver is turning yellowish after only a short time. I can't recommend it although it does have killer durability against scratching and chemicals.

I second this as I have the same issue with POR-15 Clear Coat.

I'm concerned not only with good looks just after the first paint aplication but with a long lasting appearance and resistance to repeated washing off the dirt from wet roads.

Sharpy seems to be the only person who reported a good lasting apperance (on a gs engine) after several years with the paint he used. Although ,he lives in a dry climate and has no need for frequent washing the bike/engine.

 

[doctorgonzo]

I used the VHT Aluminum on a valve cover. Color looks good. Too soon to say much about durability yet.

 

[Guest]

Just done exactly the same on my S (only I soda blasted and scrubbed instead of dipping). Looks like the same colour as well - not the silver original finish but VHT Engine Enamel Aluminium by Simoniz (I thought the silver was 'too silver' if you know what I mean).

I'll let you know in 8 year's time if it's stood the English climate as well as Sharpy's has the Australian!

any news hampshirehog?

 

[Shin-Ken 1074]

Hi psyguy, thanks for your tip about the yellow issue with POR-15. Shame about that as its one of the products that seems a close match to OEM finish. The VHT on Sharpys 1000S is just a shade bright however, he has had that VHT on there for eight years and it looks fine to me for durability! The Dupicolor Pontiacstogo used looks closer to OEM (still a shade bright though) but does it have the durability that Sharpy has got out of the VHT? Maybe someone here has had the Dupicolor on their engine for a while and can provide some durability and colour perforance help? So now its between the VHT and Dupicolor for the block unless there is another product to emerge from the pack, cheers.

 

[VTwinSuzuki]

I am thinking about painting the engine on the GS750 I just picked up. I was going to go with black but I am a little bit worried about how the paint will hold up around bolts or anywhere you would be tightening a bolt or screw. To the posters in the thread who have done this: How is your paint holding up around say your valve cover bolts and other places where you have removed/replaced the fasteners after the paint job?

 

[doctorgonzo]

Pretty sure there is high temp powder coat, which is the route I think I am gonna go on my E for a black engine.

 

[Shin-Ken 1074]

For regular access points like oil filter, tappet cover, front sprocket case etc Iam going to buy OEM nuts and bolts to aviod the problem of colour product build up on the heads that can be a fit issue for sockets and spanners. This should also limit the damage to the finish of the nuts and bolts, cheers.