Paint engine Q's

[Earlsfat]

okokok...

Going to pull engine and paint it, etc.

1. What do i use to strip the old paint off???
2. Do I need to prime it???
3. Is multiple coats better than single coat???
4. How many cans of paint am I going to need???

Sanks.

[joker298]

ok carb cleaner is best to clean it...no primer...and yea multi coats help....about 4 cans

[ViperJ]

1- I would agree carb cleaner or regular paint thinner (keeping away from any rubber lines)
2- Probably don't need to use primer, you will want the parts slightly rough so the paint will stick to them but that should be fine
3-You probably will want to light coats of paint then some type of sealer (I am not sure what its called but its like clear coat for high temps)
4-How much are you painting, is it the whole block and parts...

[1986Z28]

make sure the paint is high temp, i reccomend VHT

[KPot2004]

i have always used primer, there is a company that makes some paint, its like a 4 step process, 1st can is cleaner, 2nd is primer, 3rd is paint, 4th is some sort of gloss coating. i have always done the first 3 steps, i have never really liked the high-gloss look for an engine...but yeah would def recommend the primer

[Earlsfat]

I was going to use VHT simply because that's the only one in Jeg's and Summit. Yeah and I was wondering if the clear coat was warranted. I guess I oughtta put several coats of that on too, huh?

I'm going to paint the block, intake, and heads.... I think. At least that's what I'm leaning towards at this point.

BTW - Doesn't carb cleaner have some kind of light lubricant in it??? AND will it take the old paint off???

I'm going to redo the plumbing (most of it anyway) with braided lines so I'm not concerned about the rubber part so much, just whatever is going to give me the best results. BUT, will the carb cleaner or paint thinner eat anything else that I need to be aware of?

Thanks guys.

[Earlsfat]

Good point Kpot, I'm gonna find out if they have a sealer that's not a high gloss finish. It'd be hard to tell at a glance if you have anything leaking if it looks all shiny all the time.

[wrightz28]

Media blasting would be my first choice for clean up.

[Earlsfat]

Originally Posted by wrightz28

Media blasting would be my first choice for clean up.

Have a small sand blaster that hooks up to my compressor... same thing??? Just make sure all the holes are covered up before doing it right???

[wrightz28]

Yeah something like that, i'd just do it before taking the heads off. Then a good power washing once apart with warm soapy water.